STAMMA, the British Stammering Association, marks International Stammering Awareness Day on October 22 with the launch of a petition and supporting film calling for people who stammer to be visibly and authentically portrayed in the media.
The comical film, "Not Just One Day," follows the inner monologue of someone who doesn’t really believe in petitions, and finds them mostly vague or unrealistic, with the one exception being the new petition from STAMMA, which provides for a focused and actionable change.
The impactful work was created by brand and customer experience agency VMLY&R London and London-based film collective Acid News, with both teams containing talent who stammer. The film was directed, produced and edited by the Acid News collective, and voiced by a longstanding STAMMA member, Paul Roberts, who has never been contracted for voiceover work before.
Between 50 million-70 million people around the world stammer, including the President of the USA. Eight percent of children will stammer at some point in their lives, and between 1-3% of adults say that they stammer. Yet in the media, stammering is rarely heard and when it is, the person’s stammer is often portrayed in a negative light or to comedic effect.
“It is time to end the zero visibility of stammering. Until we hear and see people who stammer in the media, people will continue to respond inappropriately when they hear someone stammer. This is a legacy we can’t leave our children,” said Jane Powell, CEO, STAMMA
The petition is aimed at eleven major media agencies and calls upon them to ensure that people who stammer are represented across all media channels.
“I can’t remember the last time I heard someone stammer in popular culture without it being their defining trait. So, when STAMMA called I got excited. Then, as a man in his mid- twenties, I thought about how much I hate petitions. So we made a film about the overpromise of most petitions… And how the humble and simple ask from STAMMA’s digital piece of paper will actually make a big difference.” said Daniel Liakh, creative, VMLY&R London.
CreditsClient STAMMA, the British Stammering Association Jane Powell, CEO Agency VMLY&R London Production Acid News Acid News collective, directors, producers, editors; Josh Croston, art director; Kateryna Pavlenko, hair & makeup. Postproduction POD LDN Adrienn Major, exec producer; Rebeka Kancsar, post producer; Marcell Marton, head of post; Laszlo-Csongor Csurka, colorist; Andras Pflum, VFX. Sound Jungle Studios Alex Wilson-Thame, sound Music Tock
Barilla, LePub Navigate Subway Commute To “Togetherness”
On World Pasta Day, October 25, Barilla partnered with the NYC subway to turn its iconic “Spaghetti n°5” pasta boxes into “Togetherness Tickets,” offering free subway rides. At a special Barilla newsstand near Hudson Yards station, commuters could pick up a pasta box that, with a tech insert, worked like a regular subway ticket to open the turnstiles.
More than just a ticket, Barilla’s campaign was an invitation for individuals to step out of their solitary routines and connect with their loved ones over a delicious pasta meal. According to a global survey commissioned by Barilla in August 2023, 60% of respondents confessed to eating alone more frequently over the past two years, forsaking shared meals for a quick bite on their own.
The primary reason cited for this shift toward solitary dining is busy work schedules. A significant 48% of people surveyed lamented that their working hours kept them from sharing meals with their loved ones, highlighting the impact of our on-the-go lifestyles on quality time spent with family and friends. Additionally, geographical distances from family and friends contributed to the rise of solitary meals, with 37% acknowledging it as a growing obstacle.
Although people are increasingly eating alone, as a resounding 63% of people admitted to eating solo during the week, a remarkable 93% believe that regularly sharing meals has a positive impact on relationships with friends and family. Building on this emerging desire, Barilla wanted to remind us of the impact of food and more specifically pasta, in fostering better human connections.
Sometimes a friend or family member is just a few subway stops away. So get together and share a pasta meal with a box of Barilla, which also serves as a... Read More