Industry rallies round UM staffer’s organ donation campaign

After yesterday’s announcement that sister agencies UM and McCann Worldgroup were championing former UM staffer Will Chapman’s appeal for people to register for organ donation, support from the industry has been flooding in.  TV networks Seven, Nine, Ten, SBS and Foxtel have all donated airtime to run the TVC.

Mat Baxter, CEO, UM Australia told Mumbrella: “These are the good moments in the industry. The response has been overwhelming, everyone has been so generous with airtime and space. This is a sad and increasingly desperate situation for Will, but despite this he still has the time and energy to do something for other people.”

Australia is only 24th on the list of donor countries globally, with only 14.9 people per million of Australia’s population becoming organ donors.

New South Wales has the lowest rates in the country, at 10.9 people per million, compared with SA at 21.1 per million.

Chapman’s campaign aims to encourage people to register and tell their next of kin of their wishes, and has been extended by McCann’s online platform DontBuryMe.com

As well as 7,9,10, SBS and Foxtel’s support, Seven Affiliates, WIN NBN, SCA & Ignite Media Brands have all also pledged their support and airtime, along with radio and cinema. McCann staff are donating their time to convert all material to multiple formats.

Mushroom Music and artist Caitlin Harnett donated the soundtrack for the advert.