DDB Group Melbourne, Adam&EveDDB and Collider partner with Sir Richard Branson and Made By Dyslexia to launch ‘world’s first’ University of Dyslexic Thinking
DDB Group Melbourne, Adam&EveDDB, and Collider have partnered with Virgin, Sir Richard Branson, and Made by Dyslexia to launch the world’s first ‘University of Dyslexic Thinking’.
Available on Open University, DyslexicU aims to provide a new school of thought and change perceptions of dyslexia around the world.
It comes after a report from Made by Dyslexia and recruitment company Randstad found that the most in-demand skills for jobs included complex problem solving, creative thinking, and communication – skills inherent to dyslexics.
DyslexicU is described to teach the world the principles of dyslexic thinking, and reposition it as the most valuable skill set.
Kate Griggs, founder of Made by Dyslexia, said: “Problem solving, innovation, lateral thinking and interpersonal skills are the most sought-after skills in every job, in every sector, worldwide. And these are all dyslexic thinking skills.”
DDB Group Melbourne conceived the idea and began developing it over two years ago, and it has grown as more partners and dyslexic thinkers have contributed. Led by DDB, the university launched during the UN General Assembly in New York this week.
Psembi Kinstan, ECD at DDB Group Melbourne, added: “After working with Kate Griggs since she founded Made by Dyslexia, we are so proud to launch our most ambitious idea yet, one that will continue to transform the perceptions of dyslexia around the world and has the potential to reach millions of students for years to come.”
Speaking at the launch event earlier this week, Sir Richard Branson said: “DyslexicU is for anyone, at any stage of life, with a curiosity to learn more about the skills so relevant to this new world. I’m a proud dyslexic thinker – it’s made Virgin the brand what it is today.
“Thinking differently has always been an asset but, in this new world – it’s essential. Being visionary and thinking creatively is a new marker of intelligence that can help you succeed.”
The launch event also featured Branson’s ‘Anti-commencement speech’ film, which was created by Collider.
TikTok has come on board as the latest partner to scale the content globally, by hosting a first-of-its-kind educational hub, turning the university’s content into digestible lessons.
Free modules on entrepreneurism and changemaking have been made available online, with more modules on topics including filmmaking, culinary arts, sport, fashion, and more being released regularly.
Credits:
Company: DDB Group Melbourne
Global Chief Creative Officer: Chaka Sobhani
Group Executive Creative Director: Psembi Kinstan
Deputy Executive Creative Director: Giles Watson – Dyslexic
Head of Copy and Group Creative Partner: James Cowie
Copywriter: Rory Moore
Art Director: Phoenix Santamaria
GM of Mango Melbourne: Alex Lefley – Dyslexic
Head of Craft: Adam Hengstberger – Dyslexic
Studio Manager: Aaron Wickers
Head of Production: Sonia McLaverty
Chief Strategy Officer: Matt Pearce
Head of Social and Content: Sam Snowden
Social Content Creative: Charlotte Funnell
Creative Technologist: Andy Rovenko
General Manager: Khia Croy
Account Director: Oliver Corcoran
Account Manager: Sam Simpson – Dyslexic
Account Manager: Mango: Ruby Loosli
Chief Creative Officer: Stephen de Wolf
CEO: Mike Napolitano
Company: adam&eveDDB, NY
Managing Director: James Rowe
Chief Executive Officer: Caroline Winterton
Executive Creative Director: Cheryl Horsfall
Associate Creative Director, Art: Maggie Garcia
Associate Creative Director, Copy: Javier Toledo
Senior Project Manager: Ross Kessler
Account Director: Nicole Tobias
Video Content Creator: Dillon Smith
Head of Social: Scott Barrett
Company: Virgin
Global Communications Director: Tamara Pickett
Content and Communications Director: Greg Rose
Internal Communications Director: Lea Hawkins-Gaboc
Head of Communications and Content: Tania Steere
Senior Marketing and Communications Manager: Ben Murphy
Communications Manager, UK and ROW: Ellie Ball
Communications Manager, US and Australia: Angela Palmer
Content and Social Producer: Harry Kinnaird
Company: Made by Dyslexia
Founder & CEO: Kate Griggs
Director of Partnerships & Philanthropy: Lucy Squance
Senior Copywriter & Strategist: Shirley Short
Senior Events and Marketing Project Manager: Isabelle Higham
Strategic Executive Assistant & Project Manager: Rachel Carter
Company: Collider
Managing Director: Rachael Ford-Davies
Executive Producer: Tom Slater
Directors: VERSUS (Tanya Babic & Jason Sukadana)
Cinematographer: Grégoire Lière
Production Designer: Karla Milat
Costume Designer: Elle Hioe
Make Up Artist: Chrisato Chris Arai
Casting: Daisy Hicks
Post production: Collider Studio
Creative Director/Co-Founder: Andrew Van Der Westhuyzen
Head of 3D: Dave Sujono
Head of Studio: Hoss Ghonouie
Post Producer: Lara Allen
Editor: Sean McDermott
Colourist: Alina Bermingham
Music and Sound Post: Sonar Music
Composer: Jono Ma
Executive Producer: Sophie Haydon
Company: TikTok
Creative Agency Partners: Nick O’Donnell, Smaran Jworchan
Client Solutions Managers: Kevin O’Neill, Rohan Gupta
Head of Brand & Creative Consultancy: Anthony Dever
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Lauren McNamara is the associate editor at Mumbrella, covering the creative and PR beat. She joined in November 2022 as editorial assistant, after completing a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) at UTS.
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topics
adam&eveDDB
Collider
DDB
DDB Group Melbourne
dyslexia
DyslexicU
Kate Griggs
Made by Dyslexia
Open University
Psembi Kinstan
Sir Richard Branson
Virgin
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