Member of the media, marketing and creative industries have been asked to tell who they are ‘mad for’ this Friday in a bid to help raise awareness for Musicians Making a Difference (MMAD) and young people who just need someone to believe in them.
The campaign encourages individuals to take a selfie with a #MMAD4U sign, post the shot on their socials and tag someone to let them know you believe in them and say ‘I’m #MMAD4U’.
MMAD supports young people suffering from abuse and neglect, using the power of music, dance and mentoring to inspire young people to make their lives remarkable.
When MMAD asked 10 kids in their program who had overcome massive adversity about what was the one thing that helped them turn their life around, all of them said: having someone who truly believed in them.
In 2015, those 10 kids created a national day called #MMD4U day so that every person would know there is someone who believes in them.
The day has since grown and received strong support from celebrities, influencers and musicians around the world and has reached over 1.5 million Australians.
MMAD founder and CEO Dominic Brook said: “People underestimate the power of positive encouragement and the potential it has to transform a life. On Friday December 1, reach out to that person in your life who may need to hear it.
“We are asking everyone to help raise awareness by posting an image with ‘#MMAD4U’ and tag them in your post because every young person deserves someone who believes in them and the opportunity to live their potential.”
UnLtd CEO Chris Freel said: “Dom and the MMAD team make a huge difference in young people’s lives every day. #MMAD4U day is your chance to make a difference and tell a young person close to you that you believe in them.
“This support and belief has a really positive influence, so please get involved in #MMAD4U Day and play your part to help.”
The day also features the official launch of the new single Headstrong. Each year, 10 kids from MMAD’s Rising Stars Program are selected to collaborate with mentors from Universal Music Australia.
These young people have shown real potential for change, and have worked their way through a series of powerful personal growth programs to step into a new way of life and break the negative cycles.
As part of the program, the Rising Stars write a song with powerful lyrics expressing their challenges, experiences and highlights. Listen to the track here. All proceeds from the sale of the single are donated to MMAD.
Over the yearsn the campaign has attracted strong media and music support from a number of well-known artists including Shawn Mendes, 5 Seconds of Summer, Ronan Keating, Empire of the Sun, Birds of Tokyo, DJ Tigerlily, Justice Crew, Tina Arena and The Presets.
Proud media supporters of #MMAD4U day include Universal Music Australia, Twitter, UnLtd, Australian Radio Network and Network Ten.