Danny Bass, previously CEO of IPG Mediabrands, has been appointed as the new Chairman for UnLtd, our industry’s social purpose organisation supporting young people at risk.
Kerry McCabe, the Founder and previous Chairman of UnLtd will continue to serve as an UnLtd Director and take on a more active role in other UnLtd projects, including the launch of the organisation’s first B2C offering.
Kerry McCabe commented: “We’re delighted to welcome Danny as our new Chair as we move to the next stage of UnLtd’s growth and expansion into new products and services. Danny has been an instrumental part of our Board for many years and we are looking forward to having him at the helm as we further increase the positive impact our industry generates for young Australian’s at risk. Danny has very strong strategic and leadership skills which will be invaluable as we chase our ambitious growth aspirations and give hope and belief to more precious young Australians in need.”
Bass has been a member of the UnLtd Board for over five years and will take on the role of Chairman from September 2020.
Danny Bass said: “I am honoured to be offered the opportunity to continue the incredible work Kerry and UnLtd have achieved over the past 15 years. UnLtd continually demonstrates the impact our industry can have as a positive force for good. None more so than what Chris and the team have delivered in 2020. Our plans for 2021 and beyond are significant and reflect how we will respond to the challenges and maximise the opportunities in front of us to continue our mission of supporting young Australians at risk.”
UnLtd was founded in 2005 by Kerry McCabe, CEO of AthletesVoice and The Roar, who saw an opportunity to harness the power and resources of our industry in addressing youth disadvantage. The start of UnLtd (then MAYDAY) saw media auction proceeds granted to youth charities in Australia and the bartering of advertising space for FMCG products to support a serious food shortage in Timor Leste which left many young people homeless. Since then, UnLtd has grown to almost $100m in social impact through programs that enable all who work in the industry to participate.
Chris Freel, CEO of UnLtd said: “UnLtd wouldn’t exist without Kerry’s vision, passion and determination to change the lives of hundreds of thousands of young people at risk. The way he has rallied the industry together for a common cause over the years and helped grow UnLtd into the organisation it is today is nothing short of incredible. It is his vision that has allowed our industry an opportunity to make a difference and given us all the power to help.”
Today, UnLtd works with over 200 corporate partners across the industry and supports 25 carefully selected charities that are helping to break the cycle of youth disadvantage.
Dominic Brook, Founder and CEO of Musicians Making a Difference (MMAD), one of UnLtd charity partners, said:
“MMAD wouldn’t exist as it does today without UnLtd and Kerry. We were lucky enough to be one of the first charity partners UnLtd took onboard and the support that Kerry, the UnLtd team and so many companies across the industry have given to us over the years has helped us grow and completely transform our organisation. Most importantly, it’s given us a chance to help thousands more young people who deserve an opportunity to be believed in and realise their potential, and none of that would be possible if it wasn’t for Kerry. We are forever grateful for Kerry and we can’t wait to be part of the next chapter for UnLtd with Danny.”