September Virtual Event: Compliance Versus Commitment

Featuring Josh Loebner | Director of Strategy, Designsensory

Agencies and advertisers are taking greater strides to advance diversity, equity and inclusion, but how does disability fit in? Learn why checking the box for website accessibility is not enough, and how you can move from compliance to disability commitments. One in four people in the US has some type of disability, which translates into millions of potential disabled customers, clients and colleagues, but many in this group still feel underrepresented and isolated even as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. When people with disabilities are not featured in advertising, relegated to an accessibility landing page, or not part of the advertising and marketing team, this lack of representation conveys a marginalized connectivity and minimal commitment. Josh will share actionable steps to better operationalize disability in advertising.

This presentation highlights the evolving perceptions, advocacy and movement of the disability community, the largest minority group in the US, and how the advertising industry needs to go beyond bolting on disability after-the-fact to embed inclusion from the start. No matter your role at the agency or advertiser, you’ll find out how disability inclusion augments and supports the creative and campaign process.

Josh will bring a conversational and connective approach in the presentation to:

• Inform with an overview of definitions, background, buying power and history of disability in advertising.
• Convey creative best-practices and pitfalls of disability in advertising.
• Provide operational action steps for disability inclusion across campaigns.

Registrants will receive the private Zoom Webinar link prior to the event.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Josh Loebner is a blind disability advocate, has been in the advertising industry for 20+ years and is completing a PhD from Clemson University focusing on advertising and disability. He is director of strategy for Designsensory and provides disability inclusive creative strategies for clients, agencies and industry professionals. He serves on boards including the Adweek DEI Council, AAF Mosaic Council, Global Alliance on Disability Inclusion in Media, TravelAbility, Dollywood, lectures at the Southeast Tourism Society Marketing College and mentors disabled students.

Josh was awarded the AAF Silver Medal, writes for Adweek, and published in Routledge’s Companion to Disability and Media. Josh received the prestigious National Federation of the Blind scholarship in 2020 and he is widely considered a subject expert on disability and advertising. He is fully blind in one eye and legally blind in the other, but clearly sees the best in everyone.

Designsensory is a full-service advertising, design and interactive firm. We are a diverse group of creatives, technologists, researchers, media planners, content creators, and strategists who deliver results by uncovering insights and creating useful things.

EVENT SCHEDULE:

12 – 1 PM: Presentation + Q&A

The State of Philanthropy in Knoxville… During Massive Disruption.

Featuring Matt Ryerson | President & CEO, United Way of Greater Knoxville

Under the current environment, the world of philanthropy has turned upside down. While this is not unlike many industries, the nonprofit world has unique challenges and responses. What does giving look like in 2020 and moving forward? How have needs stayed the same . . . or changed? And what do we do, today, tomorrow, and into the future to help our community grow and stay healthy?

3 key takeaways from this event:

• What are the existing community needs?
• What is the current state of giving?
• How can we help?

Registrants will receive the private Zoom Webinar link prior to the event.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Matt Ryerson became the President and CEO of United Way of Greater Knoxville in December 2019. Prior to that, Matt was the President and CEO at the United Way of the Ocoee Region from January 2012 through 2019. While in this role, he was asked to join United Way Worldwide’s National Professional Council in 2015 and then the National Presidents Roundtable in 2018. Matt started his professional nonprofit career in the YMCA after graduating from Bowling Green State University in 1993.

He had a short five-year stint in the for profit world as an administrator at a psychiatric hospital for juveniles in Chattanooga where he was inspired to attend and ultimately graduate law school in 2006, after which he service as the Project Director for an $8.3 million grant in Cleveland, Tennessee before ultimately joining the United Way. Matt and his beautiful wife Heather have four children, Jackson (13), Chloe (11), Gabi (8), and Elsie (5).

The idea for United Way’s giving structure began in Denver, Colorado after the 1887 gold rush went bust. The idea came from local clergy members and a volunteer, who organized a citizen’s response effort to render aid to hungry and homeless individuals. Their first campaign raised $21,700, and their idea spread throughout the United States and landed in our great city in 1922. Since that time they have worked to understand local needs, mobilize volunteers, to raise awareness and money to meet community needs by granting money to programs that align with predetermined goals.

The organization’s name changed and they evolved into United Way in 1972. The official logo and current symbol was adopted in 2004. United Way’s focus and strategy have evolved over the last 100 years, but the goal is the same.

EVENT SCHEDULE:

12 – 1 PM: Presentation + Q&A