16-06-2025
IAA India's Autism advocacy recognised as Cannes Lions 2025 embraces neurodiversity
As the
Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2025
unfolds, discussions around diversity and inclusion are prominent, extending to
neurodiversity
. While the
International Advertising Association
's (
IAA
) Autism initiative, as a global entity, has been selected for display at the Cannes Lions Festival, showcasing the world's most impactful social campaigns.
The IAA's India chapter, for instance, has previously demonstrated a commitment to
autism awareness
through public awareness campaigns. Collaborating with organisations like Rotary District 3141, these initiatives have focused on the importance of early detection and nurturing the potential of autistic children. This localised work underscores how advertising can be leveraged for social good, a principle championed by organisations like
ACT Responsible
.
ACT Responsible, an international non-profit, stands on the belief in advertising's power to inspire positive change. They foster a global community of agencies, brands, NGOs, and institutions dedicated to using creativity as a force for good. Their mission is guided by five core values: courage, purpose, integrity, respect and trust, emphasising that "when communication is led with courage and purpose, it can truly help change the world."
An example of this work from India is the campaign titled "He made a difference, by being different." This initiative, commissioned by the IAA, was developed by Tempest Advertising from India. The creative team included Raghavendra Bhat as creative director, Antony Varghese and Laxmikant Ameenagad as art directors and Abhishek Jana and Zubair Khan for strategy and research. Such campaigns exemplify how the advertising industry can contribute to sensitive social issues.
