Ep 77. Katy Talikowska: Ending Disability Exclusion

In this episode, Katy Talikowska, CEO of the Valuable 500, discusses the state of disability representation in advertising and businesses, which remains significantly low despite 20 percent of the global population living with a disability. Highlighting her own journey from the advertising industry to her current role, Katy underscores the importance of authentic representation, innovation, and inclusive leadership in driving meaningful change. She talks about successful campaigns, such as Maltesers' groundbreaking ad during the Rio Paralympics, which not only upped sales by 7% but also set a new standard for inclusive advertising. The episode also delves into the initiatives by the Valuable 500, including the Generation Valuable program and the upcoming SYNC25 Accountability Summit in Tokyo, aimed at promoting inclusive leadership, representation, and reporting in global organisations. Katy emphasises the need for companies to start the conversation about disability inclusion, despite fears of getting it wrong, and stresses the importance of collaboration and collective action in achieving sustainability and progress.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 The State of Disability Representation in Advertising

00:21 Introducing Katy Talikowska and the Valuable 500

00:48 The Journey to Disability Inclusion in Advertising

02:36 Katy's Professional Background and the Maltesers Campaign

06:57 The Birth of the Valuable 500

09:21 SYNC25 and the Future of Disability Inclusion

14:03 The Power of Purpose-Driven Brands

21:17 The Evolution of Brand Storytelling

26:07 The Power of Diverse Storytelling

27:14 Apple's Emotional Ad: The Lost Voice

29:41 The Role of Leadership in Inclusive Representation

30:38 Generation Valuable: A Unique Mentoring Program

32:49 Revamping the Leadership Team

35:41 The Self ID Resource Guide

42:35 The Importance of Authentic Purpose

48:18 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Embracing Accountability

51:58 The Journey of Innovation and Collective Progress

Chatting with Katy is always a pleasure, and her insights are crucial for anyone committed to fostering genuine inclusion and driving systemic change. Her emphasis on actionable insights and collaborative movements offers a hopeful path toward a more equitable future.

Enjoyed the podcast? Subscribe now, and together, let's empower our communities for a brighter, more inclusive future.

Host: Peter Bell

Guest: Katy Talikowska

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