GUEST: Dani Bowman, Autism Influencer, Advocate and Animator

In sync with Autism Awareness Month (April) and Day (April 2nd), listen to this inspiring conversation about How Autism Influencer and Animator Dani Bowman builds Brand Buzz through Word-of-Mouth Marketing with 8-Second Branding Podcast Host and Goody PR Founder Liz H Kelly.

Dani’s goal is to be the Temple Grandin “role model” of her generation by breaking barriers and encouraging others. She started her DaniMation Entertainment company at age 14, and is now working on a PhD.

Through social media, Bowman openly shares her life with fans, and often gets 200-400 likes on Facebook posts. Dani also promotes her brand by actively participating in industry events, public speaking, receiving awards, having partnerships, and premiering nine animated short films at San Diego Comic-Con International over the past seven years.

As a social entrepreneur, her goal is to reduce the “grim” autism unemployment numbers (90% are unemployed or under-employed, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) by empowering youth with animation skills through her classes and jobs. Dani’s taught 2000+ youth on the autism spectrum and other abilities how to do animation at Joey Travolta’s Inclusion Films summer boot camps and DaniMation Entertainment classes (and taught one-on-one classes during the pandemic, that will continue.)

Bowman’s work has been featured in the Los Angeles Times, Animation World Network, OC Weekly, BBC Spotlight Evening News (DaniMation UK) and more. Follow on Twitter @DaniMationEnt on Facebook @DaniMationEnt and visit DaniMationEntertainment.com

LISTEN HERE to @DaniBowman interview: https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/129411/how-autism-influencer-and-animator-dani-bowman-builds-brand-buzz

SHOW NOTES 

01:20 - Who is Dani Bowman and her company

02:20 - Key Influencer and Social Media Marketing

03:09 - Teaching animation to youth at Joey Travolta Inclusion Films

04:15 - Public Relations by being active in the community

04:31 - Dani’s Ah-Ha Moment - inspired to follow her  dreams, became a social entrepreneur by accident

05:15 - What was it like to meet Temple Grandin?

06:04 - What would Dani do if she worked for free for 1 year, and why she recommends internships.

6:50 - How Dani hires youth on the autism spectrum to help with films

07:15 - Three things to describe Dani Bowman as a brand -

“If I can do it, they can do it”

08:15  - Transition to do work online during the pandemic

09:00 - Dani’s charities  - Support many, including Anna Kennedy Online

10:15 - Dani’s brand story is in 8-Second PR book

10:40 - Dani’s business brand for DaniMation Entertainment

11:15 - Working with Easter Seals this year

12:00 - Why did Dani start her business

12:05 - To help address the “Grim statistics on autism unemployment - 90% are under-employed or un-employed”

13:13 - How Dani naturally gets PR by giving back

13:40 - Favorite stories about the positive impact of her classes on students

14:30 - Dani film premieres at San Diego Comic-Con International

15:00 - How Dani hires autistic teams to work on animated  films

15:50 - What are the 9 animated short films did Dani premiere at Comic-Con and PSA for the Autism Society of America

17:45 - Social Media and Word-of-Mouth Marketing, Speaking

18:00 - Developed industry relations and partnerships as a 2021 Brand Ambassadors for Toon Boom

19:20 - Who is on Dani’s team?

20:30 - What types of things do you post on social media?

21:30 - Social Media Secret to success (put yourself out there)

22:30 - What is Autism Awareness Month? Awareness and Accepting and advocating for the lives of people - and not fall into the unemployment gap

24:15 - Don’t be afraid of failures

25:30 - What is the writing process like for films, and when to compromise?

26:30 - Dani’s Mascot is Mindy for Dani and DaniMation

26:50 - Submits for awards and participates in contests

30:17 - Dani Mation is now providing one-on-one sessions

32:00 - Wrap up - join Dani’s Ignite the Magic Movement 

GUEST BIO:

Dani Bowman—who is on the autism spectrum founded her company, DaniMation Entertainment, at age 14.  She graduated with BFA in Animation in 2018 and an MBA in Global Strategy and Leadership in 2020. Dani has premiered 9 animated short films, a PSA, and a music at San Diego Comic Con. Over the next 12 years, Dani has led summer animation camps and around the country, initially with Joey Travolta's Inclusion Films, and then expanding out on her own, adding programs at the University of South Florida and Plymouth University in England, teaching over 2000 youth with autism and other different abilities.  In 2020, Dani pivoted to teaching animation from in-person to online with 1-Week Animation Workshops and One-on-one classes.  In addition to teaching animation, Dani works with her students as a role model and mentor, encouraging them to follow their dreams. Dani is currently working on getting a Ph.D, studying the impact her program has had in the autism community.

Websites:

• danimationentertainment.com
• danibowman.com
• journeysbydanibowman.weebly.com

Facebook: DaniMation Entertainment

Twitter: DaniMationEnt

LinkedIn

• Dani Bowman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dani-bowman/

DaniMation Entertainment: https://www.linkedin.com/company/10699771/admin/