PepsiCo Australia has partnered with Shift 20 Initiative as an official brand partner of its brands Red Rock Deli and Gatorade.
The Shift 20 Initiative, pioneered by the Dylan Alcott Foundation, represents a coalition of the nation’s top brands working towards increased disability representation, inclusion and accessibility in marketing and communications.
Almost 20%, or 4 million Australians, live with disability, yet only 1% of people with disability are represented in advertising. The aim is to shift perceptions of individuals with disability through increased representation, the new partnership will see PepsiCo working with Shift 20 to develop new campaigns for Red Rock Deli and Gatorade that are inclusive of disability.
The partnership is already in motion and will last for 12 months from October 2024. PepsiCo staff will also benefit from Shift 20’s ongoing training and education around disability representation and inclusion alongside other Shift 20 Partners.
The partnership forms part of PepsiCo Australia’s ongoing DE&I commitment to fostering a diverse workforce and creating a collaborative, equitable and inclusive space.
“We are so proud to join the Shift 20 Initiative in its mission to influence positive change for every Australian living with a disability,” Kyle Faulconer, CEO ANZ, at PepsiCo, said.
“Creating a diverse environment that puts its people first is at the heart of how we operate at PepsiCo, and we look forward to furthering our efforts in this space with Shift 20.”
Priya Addams Williams, Shift 20 Initiative lead at the Dylan Alcott Foundation, said: “We are so excited to have PepsiCo on board as a Shift 20 Partner.
“To have such iconic brands recognise the importance of disability representation and inclusion is huge and we’re looking forward to consulting on future campaigns for Gatorade and Red Rock Deli to ensure that we’re representing the nearly 20% of Australians who live with disability.”
This comes after Shift 20 Initiative unveiled its new TikTok channel, Shift 20 Casting Call, @shift20castingcall with Special and PHD.
See also: The Shift 20 Initiative launches world-first casting channel on TikTok via Special and PHD