GS&P NY & Comcast Bring a Blind Girl's Vision of The Wizard of Oz to Life

This Sunday, Comcast will air a 60-second commercial during the 2015 Academy Awards called “Emily’s Oz” that is sure to spark a conversation about how people with disabilities enjoy entertainment.

Comcast teamed up with Goodby Silverstein & Partners New York to create the spot, which illustrates what a person who is blind sees in their head when they watch their favorite movie. “Emily’s Oz” brings to life The Wizard of Oz according to Emily, a seven-year-old girl who was born blind.

“It’s not often you get to do something that feels meaningful on a level far beyond advertising,” said Paul Caiozzo, executive creative director of GS&P New York. “It definitely shows how entertainment truly is for everyone.”

Comcast and GS&P New York worked on the campaign with director Andreas Nilsson and some of Hollywood’s top set designers and makeup artists. The spot features a voice-over by two-time Academy Award winner Robert Redford.

The commercial will direct viewers to EmilysOz.com, where they can watch a short documentary about Emily’s story and how her vision came to life. They can also learn more about the technology behind Comcast’s accessibility services.

The talking guide that is featured in the spot is the latest in a series of innovations created in the Comcast Accessibility Lab. In addition to voice guidance and one-touch access to closed captioning, Comcast created an online help and support resource for XFINITY customers looking for information about accessibility-related topics.

“We want to create opportunities for people who love film and television but who might not have the opportunity to experience it to its fullest,” said Tom Wlodkowski, who was hired as Comcast’s vice president of audience in 2012 to focus on the usability of the company’s products and services for people with disabilities. “By bringing the talking guide to as many people as possible, we can help to bridge that gap and make entertainment just as compelling, captivating and fun for people with a visual disability as it is for anyone else.”

“We’re really proud of this one,” added Caiozzo. “It’s the first big national spot to come from this office, and it’s great to have this work debut on a big stage like the Oscars. It’s a beautiful moment for GS&P New York.”