Exemplifying the spirit of the Delivering Jobs campaign, the launch on 22 October 2019 was a truly collaborative effort between Autism Speaks, Best Buddies, and Special Olympics in partnership with the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF). The focus of the campaign is to create one million job and leadership opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities in the United States. October is the perfect time for the launch because it is National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
Delivering Jobs launched at 6:20 a.m. ET on CNBC’s Squawk Box, where Autism Speaks President & CEO Angela Geiger formally announced the campaign, highlighting each organization’s involvement and underscoring the need for this type of movement (additionally, the Delivering Jobs Times Square ads were visible in the background during the segment).
After the press release hit the wire at 9 a.m., Special Olympics CEO Mary Davis and Best Buddies Founder, Chairman & CEO Anthony Shriver joined Angela to continue the coverage momentum throughout the day. Day one ended with their interview by Catherine Thorbecke of ABC News, who quickly followed that conversation by publishing the story “3 CEOs pledge to help create 1 million jobs for people with special needs by 2025,” which quoted both CEOs and detailed the campaign goals.
By the end of the week, the Delivering Jobs launch generated over 370 million potential impressions (source: Muckrack), more than 59 media placements and positive coverage across the board on traditional and social media.
The campaign will continue for the rest of the year. Please view a sample of press coverage from the first week below.
Cheddar Business: Special Olympics CEO on Creating a More Inclusive Workforce
Cheddar: Special Olympics CEO Says Hiring Its Athletes Is ‘Good for Business’
Yahoo Finance: Autism Speaks, Best Buddies and Special Olympics team up
Fox Business: Autism Speaks CEO Angela Geiger: This productive, overlooked pool of employees can make your business better
Disability Scoop: Campaign Aims To Create 1 Million Jobs For People With Disabilities
People: 3 CEOs Join Forces to Help Get 1 Million People with Special Needs Employed by 2025
ABC News: 3 CEOs pledge to help create 1 million jobs for people with special needs by 2025
The Hollywood Reporter: Hollywood's Inclusion Efforts Must Include Neurodiversity (Guest Column)
