This week’s guest is Christopher Kenna, founder and CEO North America at Brand Advance Group. 

In this open and honest chat we get into Chris’s life growing up in Northern England in care homes, his time in the Army, working as a TV presenter and then founding his own company. Listen for details. The story is best told by him!

In discussing the important work of Brand Advance Group which seeks to expand representation in advertising and companies’ reach to underrepresented communities, Chris is generous in talking about the reality of being a person of colour and an LGBTQ+ person both inside and outside corporate spaces. We also talk about inclusion of people with different abilities in this dynamic chat. 

In this episode we dig into:

• Representation of everyone in advertising
• DEI for brands and companies
• What it means to really be inclusive. Hint: it isn’t just hiring someone
• Pink, green, etc. “-washing” by brands
• Allyship and advocacy
• Taking care of yourself and others
• Creating opportunities where people can be successful from any background
• Chris’ own experiences and getting to where he is today

Note from Rabiah (Host):

Firstly, it has been a while. For quite a few reasons, I couldn’t get an episode edited or out for a while. I think I’ve sorted all of that. Thank you for being here whether you have been waiting a while or it is your first time.

I mention it in the episode but need to say more about the experience of meeting Chris for the first time. We both spoke at an event for a company that is actually under the same Groupe as where I work. I’d say it was by chance but I don’t think that much happens just by chance. I was added as a speaker last minute. Though I perform comedy a few times a week, I don’t give talks about me, about Multiple Sclerosis or about ableism but with a day to prepare, I did. It was clunky but ok. Then, I witnessed Chris talk about his life, his work and the world we are all living in. I was taken aback and had to have him on the podcast. I wanted more people to hear him. I wanted you to hear him, whoever you are. I’d love to hear what you think if you want to share. 

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Find Chris

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriskenna/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chris.kenna/ 

Brand Advanced Group: https://www.wearebrandadvance.com/ 

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