Mumbai, India – Mumbai-based digital-first advertising agency Chimp&z Inc showed utter solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community by launching the #PrideOfAdvertising campaign. Through the campaign, the agency did not just honor Pride Month but also raised the value of inclusivity in the advertising industry.
The agency presented a candid yet meaningful ‘Q&A’ series on its social media pages, capturing the queer professionals’ coming-out emotions and reactions to homo/transphobic comments. These were then gathered and presented as inspirational stories on Chimp&z Inc’s FB and IG pages.
Despite rapidly growing cultural acceptance for LGBTQIA+ people, discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is still evident. With this, the agency initiated a campaign that will inspire and empower the community.
The campaign featured professionals including Sumitro Sircar, the group account manager at Chimp&z Inc, Archit Ambekar, the marketing manager at The Red Pen, and freelancer Priyesha Nair, as well as film-maker Onir, who is known for being one of the earliest advocates for LGBTQIA+ rights in India, among many others.
Chimp&z Inc’s CEO and Co-Founder Angad Singh Manchanda commented that coming out is a challenge for the LGBTQIA+ community, not just personally but professionally and psychologically as well.
Manchanda said that urban LGBTQIA+ activism has created space for individuals to defy societal norms and perceptions and choose to live as per their will. With this, the list of Pride-themed campaigns taking over the internet in June keeps getting longer and more meaningful.
“We wanted to do more than just tell stories. We brought out the perspective of each individual and their experience in the industry after coming out professionally. This digital campaign sets out a virtual pride parade that honors LGBTQIA+ members of the advertising community. I trust it will evolve and adapt to the changing society in the coming years. On behalf of the team at Chimp&z Inc, I thank all the mavens of the #PrideOfAdvertising. We celebrate you with pride,” said Manchanda.