MediaVillage and the Advancing Diversity Council have established the Media and Advertising Community Renewal Fund to support the many non-profit organizations and initiatives that are struggling to maintain their commitments and financial viability when they are most needed. The economic impact of COVID-19 on the industry reinforces the reality that many in our community will be personally affected not just by the virus but by an inevitable financial reckoning. As a community we need to be supporting them now. We cannot be reliant on our government or corporate largess to meet our community's needs. We're committed to being responsive to the human needs resulting from this crisis by bringing our community together through shared experiences. As marketers, agencies, media companies and studios are confronting a new reality we're focusing on maintaining human connectivity and advancing those organizations that are dedicated to advancing the social, emotional, health and financial needs of our community.
Jack Myers Leadership Conversations are a core platform of the fund-raising commitment. Twenty-four Leadership Conversations are being hosted on ZOOM and live streamed at MediaVillage, LinkedIn, Facebook Live and other social platforms (scroll down for LINKS). During the series, Jack Myers will also host two of his well-known Lunch at Michael's conversations to support restaurant workers throughout Manhattan, with Michael's popular hosts, executives and celebrities making cameos at Myers' "virtual table." On May 22, the first "Lunch at Michael's" will take place with TLC President Howard Lee. (Link to attend: Up-close profile of TLC's drive to ratings leadership and the exec who's led the growth.) On June 16, the second Virtual Lunch at Michael's will host Lifetime TV's Amy Winter, Head of Programming, and Gena McCarthy, SVP Reality Programming. (Link to attend: The Changing Reality of TV Programming. The Future of Reality Will Never Be the Same
Funds for COVID-19 Relief will be administered by the Advancing Diversity Council, an organization of 40 industry leaders focused on advancing diversity from advocacy to activism. Advancing Diversity Council is comprised of leaders from every sector of the industry and include: ADCOLOR, Ad Council, Advertising Education Foundation, American Advertising Federation, 4As, ANA, ANA AIMM, Ascential, Active International, Crown Media, Davila Multicultural Insights, Dentsu Aegis, Effectv, Facebook, The Female Quotient, Good I Upworthy, Hearst Corporation, Hershey Co., Intel, IPG, MediaVillage, Nielsen, Omnicom, P&G, Publicis, Sam's Club, She Runs It, 3% Movement, Twitter, Unilever, and Walt Disney Television.
Funds raised during the Media and Advertising Community Renewal Fund will benefit selected beneficiaries including:
Online Education Support: Ad Council, Advertising Education Foundation, AAF Virtual Ad Camp, American Red Cross, AdvancingDiversity.org, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Mentor's Playlist Initiative
College Loan Relief Fund:AdFellows, Jacaronda Foundation, Newhouse 44, She Runs It Debt Relief
Veterans Support Programs: TD Foundation Veterans Fund, Institute for Veterans and Military Families
Family, Individual, Human Support: 4As Foundation, ADCOLOR, Center for Disaster Philanthropy Covid-19 Response Fund, Feeding America, Feed the Children, International Rescue Committee, Meals on Wheels, MediaVillage Community Campaign, No Kid Hungry, United Jewish Appeal
Media Industry Small Business Support Fund: FQ Small Business Fund, MediaVillage Learning Lab, Restaurant Workers Community Foundation, Michael's Employee Fund, John A. Reisenbach Foundation
Jack Myers Leadership Conversations for Renewal & Growth sponsorship opportunities include: Title Partner ($50,000); Activist Partner ($30,000); Leadership Partner ($15,000); Community Partner ($5,000); Supporting Partner ($3,000). For details email Jack Myers at Jack@MediaVillage.com / Mark Altschuler at Mark@MediaVillage.com. Follow @mediavillagecom @advdiversity #virtualupfront