Agency and brand marketing leaders call on industry to support volunteer fire fighters with ‘Wage For A Wage’ fundraising appeal
Advertising, media and marketing chiefs have added their support to the ‘Wage For A Wage’ campaign to donate one day’s pay to fire fighters and are calling on others to join them.
All funds raised will be distributed to the Rural Fire Services Association (RFSA) and the Volunteer Fire Brigades of Victoria (VFBV) volunteer fire fighters’ welfare funds.
Industry leaders already on-board and encouraging others to support Wage For A Wage include Samsung Australia chief marketing officer, Josh Grace; Carot A/NZ CEO, Sue Squillace; BBDO Sydney CEO, Pete Bosilkovski; Twitter Australia managing director, Suzy Nicoletti; CHE Proximity CEO, Chris Howatson; and ING Australia head of marketing, Danielle Hamilton.
“As someone married to a firefighter, I have seen first hand the tireless bravery that this community embodies every day, so this cause could not be closer to my heart,” Nicoletti said.
A live tally will show progress towards the fundraising target of $1 million. A calculator on the campaign website (www.wageforawage.com.au) works out the value of one day’s pay after entering an annual salary, and allows it to be donated to the RFSA and the VFBV.
RFSA president, Brian McDonough, said the association provides practical support to volunteer firefighters on the ground as well as support for members who have been directly impacted by these fires.
"Just imagine seeing a loved one head out into the bush for weeks at a time to risk their lives. What these volunteers are doing, often with little to no pay, is nothing short of heroic," he said. "Over the past month, I've received calls from people across the world asking how they can help. The #WageForAWage campaign is a fantastic way for us to honour their courage and dedication.
“The RFSA maintains a welfare fund with DGR status to specifically aid our members who have lost homes, farm equipment, fencing and livestock. In recent weeks, we have provided assistance to these volunteer firefighters through our work with the NSW RFS Chaplains who are trained and able to help these people in their recovery process.”
Bosilkovski is one hundred per cent behind this initiative. “Our volunteer firefighters have given up so much for others during this crisis, and many people are feeling helpless and not knowing how to support these amazing people," he said.
"The bushfires have been devastating and continue their destruction, this is a way for the industry to donate a day’s work for good – to show our support, say thank you and help repay these brave men and women in some small way.”
Follow CMO on Twitter: @CMOAustralia, take part in the CMO conversation on LinkedIn: CMO ANZ, follow our regular updates via CMO Australia's Linkedin company page, or join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CMOAustralia.
In the third and final episode of our 3-part CMO50 video series exploring modern marketing and why it’s become a matter of trust, we’re delighted to be joined by Telstra’s former CMO and now digital services and sales executive, Jeremy Nicholas, and Adobe VP Marketing Asia-Pacific and Japan, Duncan Egan.
Flash back to the classic film, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Television-obsessed Mike insists on becoming the first person to be ‘sent by Wonkavision’, dematerialising on one end, pixel by pixel, and materialising in another space. His cinematic dreams are realised thanks to rash decisions as he is shrunken down to fit the digital universe, followed by a trip to the taffy puller to return to normal size.
Why is it there is no shortage of leadership development materials, yet outstanding leadership is so rare? Despite having access to so many leadership principles, tools, systems and processes, why is it so hard to develop and improve as a leader?
As a nation united by sport, brands are beginning to learn money alone won’t talk without aligned values and action. If recent events with major leagues and their players have shown us anything, it’s the next generation of athletes are standing by what they believe in – and they won’t let their values be superseded by money.
