Josh Loebner

Dr. Josh Loebner is a 20-year advertising pro guiding global brand initiatives centering on disability and accessibility. Working within VML’s Inclusion Experience Consultancy, and alongside agency teams, clients, and disability communities he’s creating connected brands to drive growth.

Josh was recognized in 2024 with the American Advertising Federation Mosaic Champion of the year award, highlighting his industry leading disability inclusion efforts. His work with Honda to develop an accessibility innovation prototype for blind passengers earned a gold Anthem Award in the responsible technology category and the Mosaic data driven transformation award. He was the first blind Cannes Lions Innovation juror and instrumental in VML winning the 2023 Grand Prix Innovation Lion. Other juries served were for the ANA Multicultural Excellence Awards, One Show, Anthem Awards, and the American Advertising Federation Mosaic awards.

Josh is a keynote speaker and subject expert sharing insights and actions at events including the Cannes Lions, Amazon Unboxed, Microsoft Build, and Brand USA’s European CEO Summit.

He received his doctoral degree from Clemson University where his research focused on greater disability inclusion within marketing campaigns, and the creative process. Josh has guest lectured at the University of Oxford’s Said Business School, and University of Southern California Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism and is featured in advertising textbooks and journal articles.

Josh was recognized as the American Advertising Josh is an American Advertising Federation chapter Hall of Fame inductee and was awarded the AAF National Silver Medal for outstanding contributions to advertising, furthering greater inclusion of people with disabilities.

Josh is fully blind in one eye and legally blind in the other, but clearly sees the best in everyone.