IPG Mediabrands CEO Mark Coad hits the road for Variety Vic Bash
IPG Mediabrands CEO, Mark Coad is taking part in the Variety Vic Bash, one of Australia’s longest running charity motoring events.
Coad, along with co-driver Tim Clemens, will hit the road for 10-12 days, raising money for the Variety children’s charity.
The Bash takes hundreds of motorists across the country, including stops at schools and small towns around Australia where they can present grants and equipment to kids who are sick, disadvantaged or have additional needs.
Coad said he gets involved for a number of reasons: “It’s a wonderful charity doing some very special things for children who need it, and…it’s an incredible way to see this amazing country.
“I love the sense of purpose and ‘making a difference’ that you get from doing events like this.”
Coad’s car, the ‘California Highway Patrol’
“The industry, my friends and colleagues have always leant in to support,” he added. “So we’ve never had any difficulty raising the necessary funds to participate.”
Coad’s car, an old Mercedes, was given to him and his co-driver from an older ‘Basher’, Paul, for free, as long as the pair guaranteed to continue the tradition of the drive.
“I’ll never forget that,” said Coad. “When we went and had a look at this dirty, old, black Mercedes and said ‘what do you want for it? He didn’t hesitate. He said ‘if you boys promise to keep raising money for Variety, you can take it’.
Mark Coad
“It’s been to Cairns, Geraldton, Fraser Island and Townsville on the four bashes done so far. I’ve driven this car across the Nullarbor, up the Birdsville Track and beyond,” Coad said.
The local IPG Mediabrands boss has so far raised close to $2,000 for Variety, with a goal of $10,000.
“It’s a wonderful cause, I never lose sight of the fact that we do it for a reason,” he concluded.
If you want to back Coad and Clemens, donations can be made here.
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Lauren McNamara is a journalist at Mumbrella, covering the creative and PR beat. She joined in November 2022 as editorial assistant, after completing a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) at UTS.
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