In times when money is tight, the first of the corporate budget to feel the brunt of belt-tightening is advertising and corporate philanthropy - but there is one industry and event that plans to buck this trend.
Media Assisting Youth will auction $1 million worth of advertising packages at their annual MAYDAY event, with the intention to exceed last year’s efforts and raise over $700,000 for four youth focused charities.
MAYDAY will be hosted by MC, auctioneer, all-round funny guy and Gruen Transfer host, Wil Anderson, at one of The Merivale Group's finest venues, Hemmesphere, on Wednesday 27 May from 6.30pm.
MAYDAY's commitment is to rally the media and advertising industry to support innovative and effective organisations that work with disadvantaged and under-privileged young people in the community, Kerry McCabe, MAYDAY founder said.
The four chosen beneficiaries for this year's MAYDAY event are Youth Off The Streets - Aboriginal Support Services, Musicians Making A Difference, KidsXpress and Newpin, he said.
Even in a tough economic climate, MAYDAY provides a distinctive and sustainable fundraising vehicle to help those who are really in trouble.
This industry has the character and empathy to maintain it's commitment to those in need - a clear demonstration of this was the hugely successful Victorian Bushfires Telethon, hosted on the Nine Network, Mr McCabe said.
MAYDAY operates from a nil cost base with 100 per cent of all proceeds going directly to the selected youth charities. The MAYDAY board and sponsors donate their time and expertise to the cause, supported by their respective corporate entities.
MAYDAY's inaugural event in 2007 generated $300,000, with more than $700,000 raised last year following unprecedented support from media owners, media buying agencies and advertisers. Additional MAYDAY activities throughout the year generate in excess of $2,000,000pa of media, cause related marketing and in-kind support.
For the last two years we have conducted a live auction on the night of the event, however this year we are requesting interested advertisers make bids before the event, with the winning bids confirmed prior to the event and the total raised confirmed on the night, Mr McCabe said.
Nominated charity Musicians Making a Difference (MMAD) will showcase their talent to an audience of media industry leaders and marketing executives. To enable everybody to get involved this year there will also be a few exclusive money can't buy consumer items up for auction.
Marketers or media companies wishing to bid on media packages over the coming weeks should contact Melanie Banister at melanie.banister@ninemsn.com.au.
Ends
FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE SELECTED CHARITIES:
Youth Off The Streets supports homeless and drug addicted young Australians as they work to turn their lives around.
Musicians Making A Difference work with youth communities all over the country to help change lives through music.
KidsXpress is an expressive therapy program aimed at empowering children by encouraging self expression through the use of music, art, dance and drama therapies.
Newpin is a preventative, early intervention program, offering intensive work with families facing potential or actual child-protection issues.
MEDIA SUPPORTERS INCLUDE:
TV: Seven, Nine, Ten, MCN, FCM, XYZ Networks, SBS
Press: Fairfax, News Corp
Magazines: News Magazines, ACP, , Pacific
Radio: Austereo, DMG, ARN, MRN
OOH: EYE, APN, Adshel, JC Decaux
Online: News Digital Media, Ninemsn, Fairfax Digital
Mobile: Hutchinson - 3
Please direct all media enquiries to:
Hannah Furness, Red Agency
M: 0409 348 250
E: hannah.furness@redagency.com.au
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