New films from the Ad Council’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Campaign show the impact every individual can have when responding to injustice.
The Ad Council has launched a series of powerful new films as part of the iconic Love Has No Labels campaign using real stories to showcase how acts of love can drive inclusion, equity and justice. This year, Prudential is joining other sponsors to support efforts to making the world a better and more equitable place.
Building on the campaign’s long-standing effort to address bias, hate and discrimination, the “Love Lives On” films show how individuals acted with love following instances of hate and injustice, including the murder of George Floyd, the alarming rise in violence and harassment toward the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, and the deadly 2016 shooting at Orlando’s Pulse nightclub.
At a time when more than half (55%) of adults say race relations in the U.S. are bad1 and Americans are searching for ways to act more meaningfully, the new campaign hopes to spur further action that helps build a more inclusive society and support communities facing discrimination. Paying tribute to these stories and the ongoing work toward equity, “Love Lives On” aims to inspire and empower the public to take meaningful action to create a more accepting and inclusive society across race, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion and disability.
“We’re honored by the opportunity to support Love Has No Labels and the important messages highlighted in ‘Love Lives On’ to inspire and empower others to join the fight for equity and justice,” says Richard Parkinson, Prudential’s chief brand officer, who sits on the Ad Council board of directors. “Love Has No Labels celebrates unbiased love and diversity and reflects Prudential’s commitment to help create a more inclusive society.”
The new films were developed in close collaboration with individuals who are personally connected to these stories, including:
- Bridgett Floyd – George Floyd’s murder by Minneapolis police made worldwide headlines, propelling the Black Lives Matter movement and the fight for racial justice. But the story of George as a family man, mentor and community member has not been widely told. In a heartfelt and deeply personal account, Bridgett Floyd shares her powerful bond with her brother. She celebrates the love, joy and light that he brought to his family and the world — and how she has turned the pain of his death into purpose through the establishment of the George Floyd Memorial Foundation. Watch a long-form video telling their story here and a PSA here.
- Maddy Park – As hate, harassment and violence toward Asian Americans drastically increased since the beginning of the pandemic, Maddy Park took action to support her community. In this video, Maddy reveals how she made an intentional choice to act with love to create Cafe Maddy Cab, a crowdfunding resource that provides cab rides for women, AAPI, LGBTQ+ and elderly people so they can get home safely. Watch the PSA here.
- Barbara Poma – Owner Barbara Poma shares how she channeled her grief following the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting into creating the onePULSE Foundation, a fund to turn the club’s site into a museum and memorial, along with scholarships based on the victims’ interests, careers or aspirations that are awarded to students who share similar dreams, ambitions and goals. Through this work, she is helping people stand together and educate, bridge gaps and act with love to strengthen communities. Watch the PSA here.
To learn more about this year’s campaign or how you can take meaningful action, visit Love Has No Labels.
[1] Ad Council Research Institute. Issue Pulse: Spring 2022. adcouncil.org/pulse
