Down's Syndrome Model

I found a great example of "don't talk the talk, walk the walk" in marketing over the weekend.

Target recently released a print ad for children's clothing featuring a down's syndrome child as one of the models.  Great way to show diversity and respect, in my book anyway.  But the cool part is that they didn't make a big deal about it.  No copy mentioning it.  No "special needs" language.  Nothing written on his t-shirt.  Just another kid in a print ad with other kids.  That's just down right cool and just the way it should be.



The best part too, is that this same kid is starting to rack up regular gigs in modeling.  Just a few months back, he appeared in an ad for Nordstrom.  Same deal, they didn't say a peep about it, just used him in the ad.  Gotta respect that.


Now on a completely different note, file this under "whoops."  A print ad from a fashion brand in France recently discovered that perhaps they should have done a little retouching.  It was shot on the beach, but no one noticed the nude beach goer in the background.  So there it ran ....

Congrats to Target and Nordstrom for being who you are.  What's your experience?  Jim.

Jim Joseph
President @LippeTaylor
Author of The Experience Effect