Media execs swap cushions for cardboard for St Vinnie’s CEO Sleep Out
Over 220 of Australia’s media executives swapped the comforts of home for a cardboard box in Sydney last night to raise awareness and funds for the homeless in St Vincent De Paul’s CEO Sleep Out.
The likes of Clemenger BBDO managing director Andy Pontin and Fairfax Media CEO and managing director Brian McCarthy raised money for the cause and slept overnight at Sydney’s Luna Park, with the campaign raising over A$536,000 so far.
Clemenger Group executive director Tim Parker with Pontin and three other colleagues slept in the “brutally cold” conditions in an unenclosed stairwell. “I would say if I got an hour’s sleep I would be lucky. It was a great leveller. There’s nothing like sleeping with your face two inches from a person’s feet,” Parker said.
The agency was responsible for the development of the website and donation system for the campaign with Parker adding he would definitely take part in the sleep out again. “We’ve been so involved in it we can’t help but see it through to its natural conclusion.”
“In a tiny way you realise what the poor sods go through every night when we rocked up and realised the good spots were already taken and we should have got there earlier.”
A full list of participants can be viewed at the campaign’s website www.ceosleepout.org.au where donations are still being accepted. Other CEOs from within the media and marketing industry included Cathy O’Connor, of DMG Radio ($11,554), AAP’s Clive Marshall ($12875), Craig Davison of Gordon & Gotch ($6913), Geraint Davies of Austereo ($2580), John Butterworth of AIMIA ($1060); Kevin Turner of Porter Novelli ($1290); Mike Tyquin of Eyer ($4015); Nick Fairfax of Marinya Media ($6,500); Peter Wilkinson of Wilkinson Media ($50); Phylisse Stanton of Aurora Community Channel ($550); Tim Longhurst of Get Up ($360); Vicki McLean of NRS Media ($220)
From his twitter stream it sounded like aimea ceo john butterworth definitely braved the elements too. Braver man than me!
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What a fantastic idea! Great to see the media industry to support! Well done everyone involved!
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If you missed it it’s not too late to donate http://www.ceosleepout.org.au/
Great cause and well done to everyone involved!
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Great initiative, but wasn’t the sleep out conducted last week – remember seeing ABC breakfast TV cover it on Friday morning??
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Hi Dan,
You’re right. This story was posted on Friday afternoon – see the date on the posting, above. But the conversation has continued today.
Cheers,
Tim
It’s currently raised $559,000 – more than double our target (I work for the company that helped with the PR – pro bono). I want it to be national next year.
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