Ethan Holt

Even though 1 in 4 U.S. adults lives with a disability, mainstream advertising campaigns rarely include people with special needs.
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In 2019, Ethan Holt, a young man with Down syndrome, attended a photoshoot hosted by Help Us Gather (HUG), a Florida-based nonprofit that advocates for inclusion. Ethan stunned the HUG team with his good looks and natural talent for modeling.
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The HUG team wanted to help Ethan achieve his dream of becoming a professional model. When local talent agencies turned down the opportunity to work with Ethan, the team reached out to dozens of brands and companies directly, working tirelessly to get Ethan that first “yes”. HUG knew the demand for inclusive marketing existed. They were right.
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Ethan landed a job as Surf Style’s first model with a disability in 2019 and the story went viral, reaching millions of people across the globe. Since then, Ethan has modeled in various print and online campaigns, been featured in regional and national TV commercials, and continued making waves around the country as his professional modeling career grows to new heights.
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Ethan’s success is proof: People want advertising that reflects their reality, and savvy companies large and small are realizing the value of true diversity. In fact, featuring people with disabilities in advertising was recognized as the #1 brand humanity trend by Biz Community in 2020.
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Pushing for change isn’t always easy, but in the words of Ethan: “I can handle it. I’m ready.”