UnLtd, the media and marketing industry foundation, has announced it has secured ten social impact partnerships for 2017 as part of its revolutionary program that aims to invest over $100 million into addressing youth disadvantage in Australia by 2020.

 The partnerships match the talent, professional expertise and corporate social responsibility goals of leading industry brands, with the specific needs of selective organisations focused on addressing youth disadvantage.

The ten inaugural partners are ARN, Bauer Media, Google, GroupM, IPG Mediabrands, Mamamia, Network Ten, OMD, The Media Store and Yahoo!7.

Each partnership comprises three key elements:

• Strategically aligning with one or more of UnLtd’s charity partners.
• Establishing specific projects across 2017 that deliver mutual benefits.
• Measuring the real social impact of each project and engagement.

UnLtd’s charity partners are selected based on their impact and effectiveness across key issues, including mental health, drug and alcohol addiction, homelessness, literacy and education, and sexual and domestic abuse.

The partnerships will encompass creative fundraising, brand building and community engagement activities, along with skilled volunteering to address the specific needs of each charity partner.  Value will be contributed and measured across services and resources delivered, time contributed and direct financial contributions.

UnLtd CEO Paul Fisher said a recent industry survey found that 84 per cent of respondents believe the media, marketing and advertising industries can and should be doing more to positively impact society.

“Our launch partners are leading the charge to unite our industry around a big and unacceptable social issue that we are ideally skilled and resourced to address with real impact and measurable success,” he said.

“We are delighted they have come on board and we know from experience that not only will hundreds of thousands of young lives be improved, but the partner companies and their staff will experience hugely rewarding and often life-changing experiences themselves.

“When I meet the young people that UnLtd and our partners support, they often thank us for ‘believing in me’ for ‘giving me an opportunity’, and for ‘inspiring me to change my life’.  Giving hope, belief and prospects for a bright future to young people in need is the ultimate reward.”

Ten CEO Paul Anderson said the TV network has partnered with UnLtd since October 2014, working to connect and engage its staff with a dozen youth-focused charities around the country.

“The work UnLtd and its partners are doing is making a real difference in the lives of many young Australians and helping to tackle many key social issues.” he said.

“We are proud to be associated with UnLtd and proud of the work it is enabling Ten and our staff to do with these great charities.”

Google Australia managing director Jason Pellegrino said the search engine giant strongly believes that technology can play a big part in solving big, real-life problems.

“We are really pleased to support the important work that UnLtd is doing collectively on behalf of Australia’s media industry to help young people in need, through efforts ranging from mental health support to literacy and education,” he said.

GroupM CEO Mark Lollback said all of the company’s agencies are proud to be part of UnLtd’s initiative.

“There is nothing more rewarding than being able to help the youth of our wonderful country by giving back,” he said.

Craig Jepsen, CEO at The Media Store, said: “Beyond the wonderful positivity of this partnership in supporting Australian youth, we are also excited to support UnLtd because it realises our younger team members’ motivation and desire to engage in community initiatives.”