UM closes over 100 offices for annual Impact Day

UM, a global media agency network of IPG Mediabrands, today announced its seventh global Impact Day, under the theme, “ONE Day, ONE UM, ONE Better World.” Launched in 2016 under UM’s corporate social responsibility unit, Better World, Impact Day reflects the agency’s commitment to its core values of community, curiosity and courage.

UM employees will participate in activities around three Impact Day pillars:
• Equity – Acts of service that directly impact underserved communities.
• Sustainability – Acts of service that directly impact our planet, locally or globally.
• Wellness – Acts of service that directly impact the well-being of another person’s physical or mental health.

“UMers from all over the globe look forward every year to volunteering as one connected team for our beloved Impact Day tradition,” said Andrea Suarez, Global CEO, UM. “Our theme this year, ‘ONE Day, ONE UM, ONE Better World’ highlights the incredible impact we can have when we harness the power of our collective action to give back to the communities in which we live, serve and flourish.”

“Impact Day is a powerful reminder of the positive change we can create when we come together as a global community. It’s a chance for UMers across APAC to make a real difference in the lives of others, and I’m incredibly proud of the diverse and impactful initiatives happening across the region,” said Kasper Aakerlund, APAC President UM.

Today, Thursday July 18, UM closed all of its offices across APAC, EMEA, LATAM and North America and volunteer with local charities, NGOs and community organizations.

Across the APAC region these activities include:
• In Australia, a walk-a-thon, bake sale and other fundraising initiatives benefitting domestic abuse organization Rize Up, and a donation drive for Roundabout Canberra.
• In China (pictured top), providing teaching supplies and working with children with autism at the Shanghai Songjiang Xingyue Children’s Growth Service Center. Shanghai Xingyue Autistic Children Rescue Center
• In Hong Kong, collaborating with KIFF International Film to host a talk about internet safety for children and supporting two workshops teaching children about culture appreciation and diversity.

• In India collaborating with a number of LGBTQIA+ owned businesses including but not limited to Kai By Mangi, Arttitty, Sabarshh, Ash.co, Embarque.co, Queergaon, and Podi Nan Maga, by providing a platform to showcase and sell their products, which include stationery, handcrafted items, accessories, clothing, and more.
• In Indonesia, partnering with Sekolah Mandiga and Yayasan Autisma Indonesia to host a field day featuring autism awareness coaching, effective communication strategies, and inclusivity training, in addition to a tour of Jakarta with special needs students from Sekolah Mandiga.
• In Japan, integrating int the local community to run a clean-up of Aoyama Park, collect and distribute food to families in need, and running a book drive for children’s education.
• In Malaysia, driving media awareness and press activity to support a community activation run by HumanKind, and its project Buddy Bear, which works to build mental health awareness and support systems for children.
• In Pakistan, supporting SOS Children’s Village in both Karachi and Lahore. SOS Children’s Villages provide orphans with loving care, security, higher education, and job training, instilling a sense of confidence to help them reach their full potential.
• In Singapore, hosting an experience for clients of the MINDS Singapore Centre (a voluntary welfare organisation, that provides services for the intellectually disabled), to visit the Mr Bucket Chocolaterie for a factory tour and chocolate making session.

• In South Korea, driving a donation campaign in partnership with Goodwill Store.

• In Taiwan, running a book donation drive for SPbook, where credits will be donated to schools in remote parts of Taiwan, to purchase educational children’s books.

• In Thailand, driving campaign awareness and fundraising in support of the Father Ray Foundation to donate educational materials to schools in need.