Returned veterans get support from outdoor with Million Dollar Pitch through Ooh Media
Ooh Media has thrown the weight of its outdoor network behind Australian soldiers, more of whom die from suicide after returning home than when on active service.
The outdoor company has joined in support of Walking Wounded, which offers psychological support for Australian soldiers with the goal of expanding the outreach of the service to support more veterans.
Since 1999 almost five times as many soldiers have taken their own life than have died on active service – 239 compared with 46.
Brendon Cook, chief executive of Ooh, said that the entire company had become involved in working to help Walking Wounded in its efforts after it ran its Million Dollar Pitch campaign.
“It is shocking to hear that veterans who have fought for Australia don’t feel they have the support in place to transition back into the community,’ said Cook.
“We are not only providing Out Of Home advertising space but working with Walking Wounded and its agencies to help this organisation achieve its goals.
“We are spreading the message via our content platforms such as Hijacked, Shortpress, Qview, and across our entire inventory news feeds, including our iconic Bourke Street Mall digital billboard.”
The company recently added 2800 digital screens to its network through the $45 million acquisition of InLink Group.
Walking Wounded picked up the outdoor inventory with the help of its creative agency BCM after entering in the Million Dollar Pitch, run by Ooh.
“Paul Cornwall, managing director of the agency, said BCM had managed to find fresh ways of engaging consumers using the technology that had now become a pivotal part of the outdoor industry.
Brian Freeman, CEO and founder of Walking Wounded, said that the issues faced by returning veterans were diverse.
“Walking Wounded knows that if we can mobilise the community and provide returning soldiers with mentoring and counselling, we can change this,” said Freeman.
“This campaign will help us to raise the funds to expand our services to help us achieve zero tolerance of veteran suicide.
“For the first two years of operation, Walking Wounded has been able to help returned soldiers through the generous support of sponsors, [while] this campaign will help take us to the next level of success.”
Simon Canning
