STAMMA, the UK’s leading charity for people who stammer, and Iris London have launched “Don’t Hang Up. Hang On.”—a powerful call for patience and respect during phone calls. The hero film shows how a single pause can transform an interaction that too often ends in frustration.
What’s the story behind the film?
Directed by Joseph Mann (Blinkink), the film follows James, a young man with a stammer, who gets a routine call from his local garage. As he tries to answer, a gremlin-like hand emerges from the phone—an in-camera metaphor for the anxiety of being rushed, interrupted, or hung up on. When the caller realizes and simply gives James time, the hand disappears. The line is clear and memorable: “Don’t hang up. Hang on.”
Why this matters: the numbers
STAMMA’s research indicates that around 65% of calls made by people who stammer are mishandled. In the UK, at least 550,000 adults stammer, which translates to 43.5 million calls a year (Contact Babel). The hardest moments often come right at the start—when asked to provide ID details, which can be the most difficult words to say. Mishandled calls can derail everyday tasks like reporting a lost bank card or booking a GP appointment.
How the campaign uses DOOH
Beyond cinema and online, the message scales via DOOH styled as dramatic movie posters—turning high-traffic sites into cultural touchpoints. The clarity of the CTA (“Don’t hang up. Hang on.”) and the strong visual storytelling make the work instantly legible in public space while pointing audiences to stamma.org/nightmares for resources.
From awareness to action: what businesses can do
Train contact-centre teams and anyone handling calls to: pause after a question, avoid interrupting, allow extra time for ID details, and never rush to end the call. These simple steps turn exclusion into accessibility—and they’re good customer service for everyone.
FAQs about this campaign
What is ‘Don’t Hang Up. Hang On.’?
A STAMMA × Iris London campaign urging patience on phone calls with people who stammer, centered on a hero film and supported by DOOH.
Why does it matter?
Research shows ~65% of calls by people who stammer are mishandled—leading to barriers in tasks like reporting lost bank cards or booking GP appointments.
When did it launch?
It went live on International Stammering Awareness Day (October 22, 2025) across cinema, online channels, and DOOH.
How does it connect to OOH/DOOH?
Cinematic DOOH posters act like cultural billboards—delivering a clear behavioral CTA at scale and driving people to stamma.org/nightmares.
What can businesses do right now?
Train call-handling teams to pause, avoid interrupting, and give time for ID details—small changes that make calls accessible and respectful.
Bring your idea to breakfast-time OOH
Explore formats that meet audiences in morning routines and commuter corridors.
