A new campaign – The Human Touch, produced by legal and financial services firm Irwin Mitchell – is thought to have been made by the most inclusive production team ever assembled.
The campaign features real Irwin Mitchell clients, some of whom have a disability, sharing their powerful personal stories about working with the firm.
Global, full-service agency Merkle B2B created the campaign, partnering with creative studio Annex, their director Oscar Cariss and photographer and filmmaker Rankin.
Irwin Mitchell wanted to ensure the campaign was as inclusive as possible both on-screen and behind the scenes, so ensured their recruitment process for the production team was entirely accessible.
Despite the fact that disabled people hold just 9% of senior creative roles, 60% of the production team for The Human Touch campaign were disabled.
Oscar Carris directed the commercials, whilst the photography was shot by blind photographer, Ian Treherne, under the mentorship of Rankin.
The make-up was by artist Bryanna Angel Ryder, who has lupus and partial hearing while musician Derek Paravicin who is blind and autistic, was on piano.
A behind the scenes film was also captured by wheelchair-using director, Owen Tooth.
Victoria Brackett, Chief Commercial Officer at Irwin Mitchell said: “We took an inclusive approach to producing this campaign that will change public perceptions within the broadcast industry. As well as using real clients, not actors, we’ve assembled a behind-the-camera team made up of people who are often overlooked: those with disabilities both hidden and visible. It’s about giving opportunities to talented individuals who don’t always receive the opportunities they deserve.
“We have an aim to be a leading responsible business and that involves improving our own sustainability and inclusion. We’ve taken the opportunity to step back and review our commitment to inclusion and disability accessibility as part of this process. It’s only by taking action that we will be able to influence changes both within our organisation and the wider world.”
