Ending Stereotypes and Empowering Potential

This is easily one of the most compelling 90 seconds I've seen in far too long.

World Down Syndrome Day is just around the corner (March 21st). To mark the day, CoorDown and National Down Syndrome Society have come out with an inspiring spot that challenges misconceptions and highlights the talents, abilities, and achievements of individuals with Down syndrome. Stereotypes, biases, and low expectations can create significant barriers in the lives of people with intellectual disabilities; this impacts various aspects of their lives, including school, work, sports, communities, friendships, and romantic relationships. The campaign's creative challenges these low expectations head-on, showcasing one woman's journey to defy societal stereotypes.

It's truly a call to action for us all to shift our perspectives positively and empower #neurodiverse individuals to reach their full potential.

While the media industry continues to make progress in areas such as gender, ethnicity and social mobility, traditional DE&I initiatives often overlook the welcoming of non-neurotypical talent. My last agency, mSix&Partners, was actually the first media agency to launch an internship program designed to actively champion neurodiversity and unlock the potential of young autistic adults. In partnership with Ambitious about Autism, welcomed a group of neurodiverse interns, setting a new standard for inclusivity in the industry. By implementing more thoughtful and open hiring processes, the agency fostered a supportive workplace environment that is psychologically safe for all employees

I remember this being one of the main reasons I decided to join the agency back in 2018, as I was drawn to its forward-thinking approach to inclusion and diversity.

I'd love to see more of this in our industry, as embracing neurodiversity not only enriches our workplaces but also fosters innovation and creativity by tapping into unique perspectives and talents.

Kudos to Antonella Falugiani, Luca Lorenzini, Luca Pannese and Karim Bartoletti for championing such an important message in a thoughtful and engaging way. It's a great reminder to never put limitations on anyone based on your own assumptions.

Spread the word by using the campaign's hashtags: #AssumeThatICan #EndTheStereotypes #WorldDownSyndromeDay