By Joanna McElnea, Community Manager & Advocate, Creative Spirit
This year’s American Advertising Federation (AAF) Mosaic Awards centered on reclaiming diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). Not politicizing DEIB was a sentiment that resonated throughout the evening. The Mosaic Awards honor companies and individuals who demonstrate outstanding commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This can be through creative work, advocacy, and/or company-wide initiatives.
The night radiated joy, creativity, and an impressive range of talent. The event focused on building campaigns and technologies that reflect and honor the diversity of our nation. One of the most interesting aspects of the event were the campaigns and technologies amplifying disabled voices and crafting joyful, accessible experiences—breaking down barriers for the disabilities community.
A highlight of the night was the Mosaic Champion award presented to Josh Loebner, PhD, Global Head of Inclusive Design at VML. Josh, who is legally blind, has made significant contributions to the field, including the development of the Mouthpad, a tongue-driven interface designed for individuals with paraplegia and quadriplegia. This innovative tool allows users to control computers and devices via Bluetooth, providing a new way for individuals with disabilities to interact with technology.
At the event, we saw how Josh adapted his doctoral program in Rhetorics, Communication, and Information Design to focus on the intersection of advertising and disability. Does his innovative work tell an essential story about talented employees with disabilities seeking competitive strategies for career advancement? That could be an important story to tell. Josh’s achievements reflect a growing desire and ability for candidates to advance in their careers. There are many paths to get there, and Creative Spirit supports your career goals. Creating hybrid programs within higher education is one effective strategy for skills development.
We challenge the creative and advertising community to explore neurodiversity through their lenses, helping us improve representation and share neurodivergent lived experiences. On that note, we commend the “Assume I Can” Campaign for its creativity and innovation in reshaping representation and breaking down stigma for World Downs Syndrome Day. We are eager to see what the future holds for work with this neurodivergence in mind. For neurodivergent talent seeking career advancement, Creative Spirit is here to support you. Consider registering for our free and comprehensive mentorship program, which you can learn more about on our website.
Several Standout Campaigns Embodied The Spirit of Disability Allyship and Advocacy at The Awards:
- Dreamcaster by Michelob ULTRA and FCB New York took home the Allyship to Advocacy Award. This groundbreaking project brought the NBA experience to 284 million blind sports fans. Led by the incredible sports caster Cameron Black, who is blind, the project introduced new technology to revolutionize how blind fans engage with live sports.
- In partnership with the American Foundation for the Blind, Michelob ULTRA developed tech that speaks a new, sensory-driven language. Cameron’s live commentary featured:
- Spatial Audio through 62 surround sound speakers, offering over 1,000 unique sound possibilities.
- Haptic Feedback, delivering messages via wearable vests through 144 unique pulse vibrations.
- Refreshable Braille, powered by AI and decades of historical NBA stats.
- These innovations are redefining how capability can be measured through creativity and technology working in harmony.
- In partnership with the American Foundation for the Blind, Michelob ULTRA developed tech that speaks a new, sensory-driven language. Cameron’s live commentary featured:
- Honda Scenic Audio by Honda Motors of America and VML, awarded the Data Driven Transformational Award, features an AI-powered app that enriches road trips for blind or partially sighted passengers. The app provides poetic, multifaceted audio descriptions of the scenery outside the car, redefining accessibility in travel experiences.
The incredible campaigns moved us showcased at the event, and we congratulate all the winners for their efforts. To view the full list of winners, please visit the AAF website.
Special Thanks To Our Hosts
