UnLtd reports record $31.2m industry social impact, 138% increase year on year

The Australian media, marketing and creative industry generated over $31.2m in social impact value to support children and young people at risk in FY20. The numbers are reported by UnLtd, the industry’s social purpose organisation, who have today released their annual industry impact report.

Despite a challenging year for everyone, FY20 saw the total value generated by our industry increase by 138% YOY. The total value includes monetary donations as well as media inventory donations and skilled and unskilled volunteering.

Says Chris Freel, CEO of UnLtd: “The last FY was one of the most challenging ones our industry has seen. But it was so encouraging to see how even in the face of adversity, our industry came together like never before to help those less fortunate. When the pandemic hit, we saw a 50% increase in offers to help and volunteer and many of our corporate partnerships also kicked into higher gear as we rallied together to support our charity partners through this time.”

FY20 saw over 200 corporations and 8,120 individual supporters across the industry get behind UnLtd’s work through CSR programs, project partnerships, media donations, volunteering and events. In total, UnLtd held 50 virtual and physical events during FY20, attracting over 1,800 attendees to take part in events ranging from surfing to eSports.

Adds Freel: “FY20 started with us celebrating our industry’s impact with 500 guests at the Big Dream and we also got together to climb mountains, kick goals, bat and swing for good. 2020 saw us leap into the virtual world with the launch of our industry’s first eSports tournament, our Big Chat thought leadership series and of course our weekly virtual pub quiz. We’ve recently restarted our physical events again and it’s been fantastic to bring the industry together again in person to have some fun, healthy competition and to raise important funds for children at risk.”

UnLtd also saw incredible generosity from many media organisations and agencies donating inventory to important causes. In May 2020, 35 companies got together to take a stand against bullying, by supporting Dolly’s Dream campaign promoting kindness. The campaign value exceeded $7.6m dollars and resulted in almost 50% increase in donations for Dolly’s Dream.

FY20 also saw an increased focus on giving back to our own industry through the work that UnLtd has been doing with Mentally Healthy together with Never Not Creative, as well as support for our industry during lockdowns through initiatives such as weekly Good News, Lockdown Survival Guide for Adland and Backyard Trivia to help keep us all entertained; and mental health initiatives such as COLIV-19 and #GotchaMelbourne to keep us connected.

Freel said the industry should feel proud of the impact we have generated together: “It’s been a rubbish year for many but we should all feel proud of the incredible impact our industry has generated working together. Whether you’ve used your skills for good, participated in our events, donated media inventory or helped us raise awareness, we want to say THANK YOU. Thanks to your generosity, we’ve helped indigenous kids learn to read, provided support for homeless youth, helped children overcome severe trauma and supported the increasing number of young people in need of mental health support and so much more. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being part of our movement and making the world a better place for tens of thousands of at-risk kids all across Australia.”

Megan Gilmour, cofounder and CEO of MissingSchool, one of UnLtd’s charity partners helping seriously sick children stay connected to education said: “Our connection with UnLtd – and by extension people in the media, marketing and creative industry – continues to be a source of critical support to MissingSchool and young people who are isolated from their education and community by serious illness. This support goes beyond bountiful pro bono partnerships and funding, to the kind of moral support that helps us rise to our mission to change the course of these kids’ lives. And that’s immeasurable.”

More details on the industry’s impact, including stories of the many children helped by our industry, can be found at the UnLtd FY20 Impact Report here.