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We are what we see: The Visual Diet

/ June 17th 2019 / Matthew Evans

The Lumiere Theatre at Cannes Lions played host to a special session hosted by M&C Saatchi on 17 June on the theme of the Visual Diet. This concept emphasises the link that exists between the images we see over the course of a day and our mental health – that ‘we are what we see’. The session was moderated by Matt Cooper of Little Black Book in conversation with world-famous Photographer, Rankin; Mimi Gray, Head of Visual Content at M&C Saatchi and founder of the movement; and Jude Kelly, Founder of WOW.

Figures highlighted in the talk show that 91% of 16-24 year olds use social media and also that rates of anxiety among young people have increased by 70% in 25 years. Rankin mentioned that his interest in the Visual Diet was spurred by realising how much time he spent on social media and by the amount of filtering and image enhancing apps now available. This was coupled with how these apps can sometimes affect children’s sense of wellbeing and of what constitutes ‘perfection’ or ‘normality’ in how people look.

It was noted by Mimi that the advertising industry, agencies – as well as brands themselves – have a responsibility to represent society in as diverse a way possible to emphasise that there is no one set gender, race or sexuality and to ensure that all people see a reflection of themselves in the images and advertising they see. You can read more about the Visual Diet guidelines and how to adopt them into your business here.

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