Cairns Crocodiles, presented by Pinterest has added a powerful conversation on neurodiversity to its 2026 agenda, with a panel exploring how different ways of thinking can unlock stronger creativity in the advertising industry.
Titled “Creativity Needs Different Brains,” the session brings together creative leaders and advocates to challenge long-held assumptions about how ideas are generated and who gets to shape them.
Advertising has long celebrated fresh thinking and different perspectives, yet one of the richest sources of creativity — neurodiversity — is still often overlooked.
The panel will feature Nat Taylor, founder and executive producer of Poppet and a passionate advocate for neurodiversity, who will share her personal journey from the childhood stigma of dyslexia to recognising the creative strengths that can come with thinking differently.
Joining her will be Charlotte Adorjan, executive creative director at Taboo Group, Josh Mann, global head of creative at Movember, and highly awarded creative consultant Michael Skarbek.
SEE SPEAKERS HERE & BOOK TICKETS HERE!
Cairns Crocodiles content director Pippa Chambers said the conversation reflects a growing recognition that creativity thrives when teams embrace a wider range of perspectives.
“Advertising prides itself on original thinking, yet many industries still overlook the enormous creative advantages that come from neurodiversity,” Chambers said. “This session shines a light on how different brains approach ideas and why bringing those perspectives together leads to stronger, more interesting work.”
Adorjan will also share the story of her autistic son Woody, who became the youngest person ever to win a D&AD award at just eight years old — a moment that captured the power of seeing the world through a different lens.
Together the panel will explore how neurodivergent and neurotypical thinkers approach problems, spark ideas and challenge convention in different ways, and how creative teams can better harness those perspectives.
The session will also examine how workplaces can become more supportive environments for neurodiverse talent, and why embracing different cognitive styles can ultimately strengthen creative output.
Cairns Crocodiles, presented by Pinterest will take place May 12–14 in Cairns, Queensland.
SEE SPEAKERS HERE & BOOK TICKETS HERE!
