As Grey turns 100 years old, the agency works with UNICEF to focus on the next generation, solving world problems with creativity
Press Release – NEW YORK, Friday, May 19, 2017 – Building on a long tradition of pro bono work to better the world, for its 100th year anniversary, Grey has partnered with UNICEF to help improve the lives of children around the world. Together they will create the UNICEF + Grey Global Kids Council for mentorship and marketing initiatives and, more immediately, a back-to-school pro bono campaign, launching in the fall.
The UNICEF + Grey Global Kids Council is a nod to Grey’s longstanding Global Creative Council that comes together each year to discuss work. The kids version will comprise young people from six countries across six continents – the USA, The Netherlands, South Africa, Brazil, India and Turkey – paired with Grey global offices as they are trained in the fundamentals of marketing, offering them knowledge and resources to create meaningful change and rally around children’s causes in their countries, in preparation for World Children’s Day on November 20, 2017.
“Grey has always been an agency that values diversity of experiences and ideas using our colorful minds for the greater good, and we are honored to formalize a partnership with UNICEF to continue that tradition,” said Grey’s Global President, Michael Houston. “Diversity is borderless, and knows no bounds, and it’s this philosophy that we hope to instill in these children – empowering them to make an impact on the world as their unique perceptions and perspectives will help to achieve both local and global insights to problems facing youth today, and ideas for how to solve them.”
To highlight and support UNICEF’s work to ensure that every child has access to education, Grey will create a back-to-school pro bono campaign launching in late summer. The campaign will aim to educate and fundraise for UNICEF’s programs to put children first. This integrated marketing movement will combine the organization’s channels and resources with Grey’s creative expertise around a key moment for many families.
“This partnership speaks to some of the core ideas that UNICEF USA has worked to support for more than 70 years – kids helping their peers around the world and empowering the next generation of global citizens – along with shared ideals around creative problem solving and using global reach to support local communities,” said Caryl Stern, President and CEO, UNICEF USA. “This new partnership model allows kids the valuable opportunity to improve their lives and shape their futures – we can’t wait to see the results.”
About Grey
Grey is the advertising network of Grey Group, which is led by James R. Heekin III, Chairman and CEO. Grey Group ranks among the largest global communications companies. Its parent company is WPP (NASDAQ : WPPGY). Under the banner of “Grey Famously Effective Since 1917,” the agency serves a blue-chip roster of many of the world’s best known companies: Procter & Gamble, GlaxoSmithKline, Kellogg’s, Pfizer, Canon, NFL, Boehringer Ingelheim, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Nestlé, Papa John’s and T.J. Maxx. Grey was named ADWEEK’s “Global Agency of the Year” for 2015. (www.grey.com)
About UNICEF
UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere. (www.unicef.org)
