The 6th Annual UnLtd: Big Dream event brought together over 650 industry professionals from media, marketing, and creative sectors in Sydney to celebrate and highlight the positive impact the industry has made on at-risk youth.
At this year’s event, the Hall of Good inductees were announced. OMD was recognized in the Good Company category, Danielle Galipienzo from Initiative was named Social Change Maker, and Zenith, in collaboration with Cocogun, won the Campaign for Good award for their ‘Don’t You Forget About Me’ campaign addressing missing school issues.
Jade Harley, Director of Partnerships at UnLtd, praised OMD for their steadfast dedication to community support: “OMD’s commitment to giving back is deeply ingrained in their DNA. Their extensive support for various causes, from foster children to leukemia, highlights their long-term dedication. For nearly a decade, OMD has been a key partner of The Pyjama Foundation, helping it evolve from a local Brisbane charity to a nationally recognized organization. Their media support for the National Pyjama Day campaign has significantly raised the foundation’s profile and attracted new donors and partners.”
Laura Nice, Co-CEO of OMD Australia, expressed pride in the recognition: “UnLtd’s inspiration and connections with organizations making a real difference for at-risk youth are invaluable. Giving back is central to OMD’s culture, driven by our entire team. We’re proud of our passionate OMDers and their collaboration with The Pyjama Foundation and other UnLtd events. This acknowledgment as a Good Company reflects the dedication of our team and client partners who motivate us to continue making an impact.”
The event, sponsored by MiQ, oOh!media, Val Morgan Cinema, NOVA Entertainment, Magnite, and Yahoo, also raised over $87,000 for UnLtd’s charitable efforts, including The Big Pledge for DeadlyScience. This initiative will fund 3D printers and learning resources to inspire First Nations students in remote schools to pursue careers in science, technology, and engineering.
Guests at this year’s event engaged in creative storytelling experiences to better understand the challenges faced by at-risk youth. UnLtd also unveiled their new cause-led direction and support for the Raise The Age campaign. This campaign, developed by Tag with media backing from Carat, was previewed at the event and will launch in November.
Stephen Hunt, CEO of UnLtd, emphasized the organization’s commitment to systemic change: “For nearly 20 years, UnLtd has united the industry to support impactful charities. We aim to do even more by bringing together industry and cause sector experts to address systemic issues like the incarceration of children as young as ten. This approach, which leads to high recidivism rates and significant taxpayer costs, needs urgent reform. We’re excited to mobilize the industry to support the Raise The Age campaign and drive meaningful change.”
