Delivering policy impact and bank buy-in for Project Nemo

The Brief 

Project Nemo is the not-for-profit grassroots initiative accelerating disability inclusion I financial services. Sharing co-founders Joanne Dewar and Kris Foster’s passion for financial inclusion, Missive has supported communications efforts pro bono from the start. Our objectives were threefold:

Create concise, inspiring messaging to engage industry and policy leaders on accessibility in financial services
Develop and deliver a social media content strategy
Run an ongoing media relations programme to reach senior leaders across banks, fintechs, and government

The Activity 

We began with a positioning workshop to define Project Nemo’s vision, mission and message. The outcome: a clear framework explaining what the initiative is, why it matters, and how others could drive change. This shaped tone of voice and a social media strategy that highlighted impact and told the human stories behind Nemo.

With foundations in place, we launched to media and rolled out a sustained press office programme - covering momentum updates, inclusivity commentary, award entries and thought leadership on the business case for accessibility.

The Impact 

Missive secured over 60 pieces of coverage in and interviews with target media, including influential podcasts like 11:FS’s Fintech Insider and a feature on BBC Radio 4’s Money Box Live.

Project Nemo won multiple awards, from Harrington Starr’s The Best DE&I Initiative Award to the inaugural Money20/20 Diamond Grand Prix.

Multiple organisations and financial institutions committed to supporting Project Nemo, culminating in the development of a proof-of-concept application and the launch of a bank-supported inclusivity training programme.

Project Nemo’s influence was recognised in Parliament, when Lucy Rigby, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, referenced its work as a leading example of innovation in financial inclusion

Ultimately, as a result of tireless campaigning from Joanne, Kris and the wider team, and an integrated, always on comms programme focused on inspiring action, Project Nemo was included as a case study in the UK Government’s Financial Inclusion Strategy.