UM Malaysia’s virtual action for Impact Day raises RM16,000 and highlights NGOs

Universal McCann (UM) held its third annual global Impact Day on 16^th July.

More than 100 UM offices closed globally so employees could volunteer time and resources to philanthropic organisations around the world.

In Malaysia, 150 employees from Ensemble Worldwide, UM Studios and UM came together to produce and run a virtual live-streaming charity auction, raising a total of RM16,000 and taking pledges for five non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

These included Global Environment Centre (GEC), Malaysian Mental Health Association (MMHA), Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS), MERCY Malaysia and The Lost Food Project (TLFP).

Amit Sutha, Chief Executive Officer of Ensemble Worldwide, UM Studios and Universal McCann said, “Impact Day is a something truly special, and is a day we all look forward to. Each year, we try to create a unique experience to accompany our giving as it allows us to not just connect with our community, but to connect with each other for the day. Our backdrop means that most of us have not seen each other much, as we have only recently opened our offices in a limited way. Connecting through a platform of virtual giving gave us this additional layer of excitement to bond in a very refreshing way.”

This year’s theme centred around three pillars: people, pandemic and planet.

The idea behind the auction saw employees contributing goods and services which were auctioned off during a series of preview auctions and live on the actual day.

All money raised from the auction is donated to the 5 participating NGOs, who joined in the programme to share more about the work they do and encourage employees to pledge as volunteers towards their causes.

Pledges raised in support of the NGOs include volunteering with GEC across the riverbank clean-up activities; volunteering with MMHA on mental health awareness and advocacy and as a social media ambassador; volunteering with the MRCS on the coronavirus response team; volunteering with MERCY Malaysia on administrative work at the HQ & during events, or on field missions to disaster-affected areas, and volunteering with TLFP across various capacities in their mission to wipe out hunger, poverty and food waste.

Amit adds, “It was incredibly fulfilling to see us come together to raise funds, and more importantly, raise awareness across the great work these organisations are doing. Our core UM values of Care and Community shone strongly across the spirit of the auction, which was ideated, curated and executed one hundred percent by our people, for our people, with the community in mind. It was also immensely heart-warming to see so many of our ‘Friends of UM’ – our Mediabrands family, clients, media owners and partners, and even ex-colleagues who checked-in to our Facebook Live auction to bid and interact in a meaningful way.”

Other activities during the day included a workshop on waste reduction by the GEC, as well as a specially choreographed TikTok dance challenge.

Telekom Malaysia (TM) recently reappointed UM to manage media duties following a pitch called early last year.

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