…just for one day.  Continuing a long-standing tradition, VMLY&R closed more than 100 offices across the globe for business on Thursday, September 29, to give more than 13,000 employees the opportunity to support worthy causes and non-profit organisations of their choice through volunteer projects.

This year’s theme for VMLY&R’s Worldwide Foundation Day was Make Your Mark which encouraged employees, regardless of whether they engaged virtually or in person, individually or with a small group, or with family members, to do something that resonated with them. The day aimed to highlight the collective impact of all employees rolling up their sleeves to give back in meaningful ways over the same 24-hour period.

In Aotearoa:

• VMLY&R Auckland supported Family Action and cleaned Western Springs Lakeside Park.

• VMLY&R Wellington volunteered with Clean Where You Walk, removing plastic from Wellington’s beaches and contributed to public art installations with the Wellington Sculpture Trust.

In Australia:

• VMLY&R Brisbane volunteered with Conservation Volunteers Australia and Daisy Hill Conservation Park to help rehabilitate local wetlands and enhance the biodiversity of a national park.

• VMLY&R Melbourne and Sydney volunteered with Legacy Australia to reimagine a modern donation box, sorted and packaged clothing for redistribution at UPPAREL Recycling Centre, and organised Bondi, Wollongong, Manly and St Kilda beach clean-up efforts

“The annual VMLY&R Foundation Day is a really special time for our team. Having a positive impact on the societies we live in has always been a core value to VMLY&R since we began,” stated Thomas Tearle, VMLY&R chief executive officer, Australia and New Zealand. “It’s amazing to see our five offices across Australia and New Zealand make their own unique marks in their individual communities. Being a part of this global initiative is such a privilege and demonstrates that this really is the most connected agency network on the planet with over 100 offices doing this in unison.”