July 20 was a big day for IPG Mediabrands’ global media agency network, UM. It had nothing to do with boosting its own coffers. UM’s Impact Day is the network’s annual day of service around equity, sustainability and wellness, runs across more than 50 countries and 120 offices worldwide. This year UM held its sixth annual Impact Day, with the theme, Building a Better Future.
Anathea Ruys, chief executive officer of UM Australia, commented, “This year’s theme, Building a Better Future, made us stop and think about what charities we could work with that are helping to build a better future for vulnerable Australians.
“At a time when the rising cost of living has seen the need for food relief increase so significantly, we chose to focus our efforts and offer financial and physical support with Our Big Kitchen in Sydney, FareShare in Brisbane and OzHarvest in Melbourne and Canberra, so we can help Australians who are finding life tough move forward with dignity and confidence.”
“Across Australia around 200 UM-ers worked alongside these worthwhile organisations to collect non-perishable products, and prepare and cook food for distribution. In Melbourne the team made curry puffs and vegetable tagine; Sydney prepared pickled vegetables to be distributed to indigenous communities in regional NSW; Canberra were focused on education around ensuring food security for our future; and the Brisbane team prepared almost 3300 meals over the day,” Ruys added.
“I am exceptionally proud of my team as they worked together, inspiring each other to help build a #UMBetterWorld for us all to share and love.”
“We are always excited to roll up our sleeves and give back to our communities as part of our beloved Impact Day tradition,” stated Andrea Suarez, Global chief executive officer, UM. “From picking up litter on beaches and parks in the US to providing essentials for those with disabilities in South Korea to feeding unhoused people in Greece, our community’s micro actions will drive macro results that build a better tomorrow.”
Impact Day launched in the US in 2016 under UM’s corporate social responsibility unit, Better World, to demonstrate the agency’s commitment to its core values of community and care. It expanded globally in 2018, with volunteers across 50 offices in 40 countries and now UM employees from over 120 offices and 50 countries volunteer, sharing their experiences on social media using the hashtags #UMBetterWorld and #UMImpactDay.
