Changing Faces, UK

Hey brands 👋 We've got a face for radio, TV, catwalks, advertising and everything else! Nearly one in five people in the UK have a visible difference, so where is this representation when it comes to TV, film, or brand advertising campaigns? Our research finds that 54% of people with a visible difference say that brands regularly ignore them. And 64% say that adverts do not represent people with visible differences well. That’s why we're calling on brands to feature more people with a visible difference in their marketing and advertising – ending the lack of understanding and stigma that people face on a daily basis. We’re aiming to unite as many brands, agencies and media partners as possible. It’s time to make visible differences, more visible. If representation matters to you, share our campaign film with the company you work for and with, and encourage them to sign our Changing Faces Pledge: https://lnkd.in/dghziE8T

"When we see someone with a visible difference in a high-stakes, business-driven environment like The Apprentice, it challenges outdated ideas about appearance and professionalism." - Jack. Today, Jack shares how shows like The Apprentice can help to challenge stereotypes surrounding visible differences in business. "Hi, I'm Jack, and I have helped to build and grow a successful IT Consultancy business, which keeps me busy. I also happen to have a visible difference - extensive scarring to my face and hands from a childhood accident. Growing up, I often felt the weight of society’s expectations and assumptions based on my appearance. However, I’ve worked hard to challenge these biases and prove that success is determined on skills, resilience, and ambition - not appearance. "Recently, I was thrilled to see a contestant on The Apprentice with a visible difference. Too often, people with visible differences are overlooked in the workplace. Seeing someone do well in a competitive setting sends a powerful message: talent and capability are what matter, not appearance. "I hope that for someone struggling with self-esteem due to their visible differences, watching Jonny Heaver succeed is a transformative experience. Nobody has to hide or shrink themselves to succeed. "Like many people with a visible difference, I’ve faced unconscious bias and outright discrimination. I remember early in my career, a potential client spent more time staring at my face than listening to my pitch. Instead of letting it derail me, I used it as motivation to prove myself. I focused on my expertise, delivered an outstanding presentation, and ultimately won the contract. "There have been times where I’ve felt pressure to overcompensate, pushing myself to work twice as hard to prove my worth. But over time, my confidence grew, and I realized that I didn’t have to prove anything—my work spoke for itself. That’s why representation is so vital. The more people see visible differences in leadership and business, the less we’ll have to fight against these ingrained biases." Jack continues: https://lnkd.in/exS6MYv6

"Inclusion is not a trend; it should be a key element of a brand's marketing strategy." Since launching our #AFaceForRadio campaign, our campaigner Joanne has written a blog on how brands can make sure their marketing campaigns are inclusive, and why it's important. Perfect timing! "Whether in advertising, social media, film, or television, seeing visible differences represented in everyday media can have a positive impact on those living with a visible difference. It all comes down to feeling valued and seen. "Yet, visible difference representation is still rare in marketing. Nearly one in five people in the UK identifying as having a visible difference, so it’s time to challenge that. Better representation empowers individuals and aligns with what consumers want. Over three-fifths of people want to see more visible differences in popular culture. "Brands have a responsibility to prioritise representation and integrate inclusive marketing into their daily activities to reduce the stigma and create a more tolerant society. "Here's how your brand can drive change: 🦋 Prioritise authentic representation. Include diverse individuals with visible differences in everyday marketing, not just one-off "inclusive" campaigns. This will help to normalise visible differences and reduce the stigma associated with them. 🦋 Make all marketing channels inclusive. Feature models with visible differences across digital campaigns and out-of-home advertising. Partner with influencers who reflect this diversity - it will help to connect your brand with your audience. 🦋 Regularly representing visible differences in marketing helps to reshape public attitudes and defy stereotypes. Focus on empowering individuals to be themselves, rather than creating feelings of sympathy, to further reinforce the normalisation of visible differences. 🦋 Weave inclusion into your brand identity. Today’s consumers favour socially responsible brands that prioritise diversity. Representation of visible differences should be a part of your core identity, not just a trend-driven campaign." Hear more from Joanne: https://lnkd.in/eUAFGbWc

Michael has got #AFaceForRadio... Film, TV, media, modelling and so much more! He says: "It was empowering to take part in a campaign that celebrates my uniqueness and challenges conventional standards. I can't wait to see what happens next!" 1 in 5 people in the UK identify as having a visible difference. Changing Faces UK is calling for brands up and down the country to sign the Changing Faces Pledge and make my visible difference, more visible. https://lnkd.in/eNZBVqUX

We had an unforgettable day on set for our #AFaceForRadio campaign. Our campaigners and ambassadors brought boundless energy, and their vibrant personalities shine through in this video and stunning images captured by the talented Stephanie Sian Smith Photography. We’d like to say a huge thank you to MSQ for their hard work in creating such an impactful and creative campaign that calls on brands to better represent visible differences in their marketing and advertising. We look forward to the day when people like our campaigners and ambassadors are featured in real campaigns. Diversity is beautiful, and people with visible differences bring authenticity and strength to any brand. Let’s turn this vision into a reality: Share our Changing Faces Pledge with a company you work for or with, and tag a brand you’d like to see sign on! https://lnkd.in/eQ-JfAC6

"It's time for brands to step up and make my visible difference, more visible." Nearly 1 in five people in the UK have a visible difference, so where is this representation when it comes to TV, film, or brand advertising campaigns? Right now, it seems like these industries consider people with visible differences as having hashtag #AFaceForRadio. What was once a cheeky advertising line has become a depressing truism when you look at the lack of representation overall. Brands, we’re calling on you to increase representation, so that people with visible differences can be seen as the standout, incredible humans they are – putting an end to the lack of understanding and stigma that people face on a daily basis. If representation matters to you, share our campaign film with the company you work for and with, and encourage them to sign our Changing Faces Pledge: https://lnkd.in/ecQXTk2Q

"It's time for brands to step up and make my visible difference, more visible." Nearly 1 in five people in the UK have a visible difference, so where is this representation when it comes to TV, film, or brand advertising campaigns? Right now, it seems like these industries consider people with visible differences as having #AFaceForRadio. What was once a cheeky advertising line has become a depressing truism when you look at the lack of representation overall. Brands, we’re calling on you to increase representation, so that people with visible differences can be seen as the standout, incredible humans they are – putting an end to the lack of understanding and stigma that people face on a daily basis. If representation matters to you, share our campaign film with the company you work for and with, and encourage them to sign our Changing Faces Pledge: https://lnkd.in/ecQXTk2Q

We loved seeing our very own Adam Pearson at the BAFTA this evening, presenting the award for Best Supporting Actress alongside Colman Domingo. Adam is a passionate advocate for better representation of people with visible differences. As we celebrate the incredible talent in film and television, let's remember how crucial it is to keep pushing for inclusive stories that represent all of us— including the visible difference community. 📽️