Caroline Casey to deliver headline keynote at ad:tech London 2018
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Prominent social activist and entrepreneur, Caroline Casey, will highlight issues within the advertising industry around diversity and inclusion for disabled people at ad:tech London 2018. Following ad:tech London’s partnership with Festival of Media, Casey will be interviewed by Festival of Media CEO, Jeremy King, on the Headline Theatre Stage, hot on the heels of her inspiring session at Festival of Media Global in Rome.
In a session titled ‘Putting disability on the global business leadership agenda’ Casey will highlight her extraordinary journey from management consultant to activist, promoting opportunities for disabled workers by demonstrating to senior leaders across the advertising ecosystem that inclusion can provide a competitive advantage. Since making the life-changing decision at 28 to leave her career at Accenture, Casey has been committed to creating inclusion for all through Binc, which helps businesses recognise the value and potential of the one billion people living with a disability.
As a Subject of the National Geographic Documentary Elephant Vision, Ashoka Fellow, Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum, TED speaker and unwavering campaigner, Casey has a commitment to living a life without limits. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that disabled people make up 10% of the population – around 650 million people, with 39 million situated in Europe. Further research in the UK shows that 19% of the population has a disability, and those affected are 2.5 times more likely to be unemployed.
Ad:tech London and Festival of Media have formed a partnership to share topics and speakers that resonate with both audiences and expose them to tailored content. Themed ‘Advertising. Reimagined.’, ad:tech London takes place alongside sister events Technology for Marketing and eCommerce Expo on the 26-27th September this year.
‘Putting disability on the global business leadership agenda’ takes place on Thursday 27th September at 9.55 – 10.30am.
Caroline Casey comments: “To be asked to speak at ad:tech, following on from the Festival of Media in Rome, is personally exhilarating but, critically, evidence that the zeitgeist moment for an inclusion revolution is now. Finally, disability can take centre stage and framed not as CSR, charity or inspiration but as the most overlooked opportunity for brand differentiation and legacy. Question is – who has the vision for first mover advantage?”
Jeremy King, CEO Festival of Media, said: “One of the most important elements of business success is being able to collaborate and curate successful partnerships and this is something Festival of Media has been doing for the last 12 months. A partnership with ad:tech London will allow us to bring to life elements of our event outside of the confines of the Festivals in Asia, Dubai, Rome and Miami and continue an engaging conversation around inclusivity at another industry touchpoint. Most importantly, this partnership will provide the sector with inspiration and excellence to the media and marketing hub.”
Steven Scaffardi, managing director of ad:tech London, said: “We are delighted that Caroline will be headlining at this year’s ad:tech London. Not only did I witness the incredible outpouring of positivity and praise on social media after her session in Rome, but she is the driving force behind a cause that is incredibly important, and one that ad:tech London fully supports. In the coming weeks, as we reveal more speakers and content, the industry will see that we have created a diverse agenda with inclusivity at the very heart. Yes, we will be showcasing and discussing the amazing technology that is transforming the advertising landscape, but we are also tackling some very topical issues and making it relevant to our community of attendees.”
