UnLtd Bolsters Industry Foundation Board With Five New Heavy Hitters

UnLtd has announced the appointment of additional board members and a 50 per cent uplift in industry awareness, according to the latest Media i survey.

Following a board meeting yesterday, these individuals have been appointed as directors, to lead the philanthropic foundation’s next phase of industry engagement, revenue growth and supporting social entrepreneurship across the industry:

• Danny Bass, CEO at IPG Mediabrands
• John Dawson, Strategy Executive at Mindshare
• Harry Lowes, General Manager Digital Marketing at Telstra
• Rob Loewenthal, Founder Free Trade Hall
• Margo Ward, Founder and CEO of KidsXpress

In addition, long term UnLtd supporter and member Alison Vandyke, knowledge and trading compliance director at GroupM and Kerry Field, chief of talent at Mindshare (previous board observer) have also joined the board.

UnLtd’s chair and founder, Kerry McCabe, said the board expansion was needed to support the increased momentum of the foundation’s programs and its bold plans for the industry in 2016 and beyond.

“UnLtd thrives through attracting people often at the top of their professional game, with seemingly nil capacity to take on additional work – yet they are driven to share their talent, time and professional network to make a positive impact on society,” said McCabe.

“The caliber and influence of the individuals we attract has and will continue to be essential in our endevour to undo youth disadvantage in Australia. It’s a large and unacceptable social issue in this country and our goal is that the media, marketing and advertising industry collectively puts its talent and resources behind solving it.

“We are a $20+ billion dollar industry – our opportunity to come together and do highly impactful work in the youth charity space is immense. The November 2015 Media i survey showed that 84 per cent of those working in the industry believe that we should be doing more to make a social impact. UnLtd’s role is to create a platform for that intent and it requires a high level of engagement and connection at both the corporate and individual level,” he said.

The new appointments expand the scope of the UnLtd board with additional skills added from the brand-side of marketing, media buying, creative, and people and culture development. The addition of Margo Ward also gives a valuable perspective from the coal face of running a youth-focused charity.

To support UnLtd’s focus on connecting with future industry leaders and the NGEN community, John Dawson from Mindshare, the 2015 MFA Grand Prix Award winner (‘#Laceitup’ campaign for UnLtd charity Youth Off The Streets) has also joined the board.

UnLtd CEO Steve Taitoko said that the addition of new directors – and their authentic desire to make a difference – would support the foundation’s momentum heading into 2016.

“We are designing an organisation and a business approach that shifts thinking away from the traditional ‘not-for-profit’ mindset and towards a ‘for profit, for purpose’ model that represents good business for the industry and measurable impact for the cause,” said Taitoko.

“To be sustainable as a business you’ve got to be commercially savvy and highly accountable. We are reframing the discussion next year and directly connecting contribution to social impact – for our charity partners and our supporters,” he added.

The new directors join the existing UnLtd board members: Kerry McCabe, managing director at RadiumOne APAC (Chair); Janine Wood, general manager marketing at APN Outdoor; Mark Britt, CEO at iflix; Mat Baxter global chief strategy and creative officer at IPG Mediabrands (stepping down due to relocation); Rebecca Darley, head of group marketing and planning at Westpac; Adam Furness, director of sales and business development at RadiumOne APAC.

UnLtd has raised in excess of $12 million in cash and more $17 million in services for its charity partners since its launch in 2008.

Image: (L) Margo Ward, CEO of KidsXpress and (R) John Dawson, Mindshare.