WME | IMG Announces New Partnership Benefitting UNICEF
NEW YORK (January 11, 2016) – Today, WME | IMG announced a partnership to benefit UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, a trailblazing humanitarian organization undeterred in its mission to ensure that all children survive and thrive. The alliance will be driven by the WME | IMG Foundation and the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, both headquartered in New York.
“WME | IMG’s employees work with some of the world’s greatest influencers, brands and storytellers; all of whom care deeply about the welfare of our next generation,” said WME | IMG Co-CEOs Ariel Emanuel and Patrick Whitesell. “Through this partnership, we will mobilize our global network to ignite action around UNICEF’s most pressing issues, encouraging people to get—and stay—involved.”
WME | IMG will lead the co-creation and distribution of content to elevate UNICEF’s causes. Through its network across entertainment, sports and fashion, the company will look to partner UNICEF with key influencers, award-winning directors and producers, and global brands to create consumer-facing cause marketing campaigns and initiatives.
In addition to this partnership, the WME | IMG Foundation will continue its support of partner schools in Compton, Brooklyn, London and Nashville through mentorship programs, arts and education grants, client collaborations and teacher assistance; as well as its work supporting WME | IMG clients in building and/or expanding their own philanthropic platforms and partnerships. In 2016 alone, the Foundation supported 200 charities in 140 communities globally and reached more than 500,000 people through social media.
“With 16,000 thousand children dying each day of preventable causes and tens of millions more displaced by violence and extreme poverty, UNICEF’s work on behalf of children is as important now as ever,” said Caryl M. Stern, President and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. “Through this partnership with WME | IMG, we can change the narrative and the way the entertainment industry thinks about global social impact. It is an extraordinary opportunity and I am very excited about what we can achieve together. With their support, we look forward to engaging with influential figures around the world to keep the world’s children in the spotlight, allowing them to survive and thrive despite the obstacles.”
Founded in 1946, UNICEF is active in more than 190 countries and territories through country programs and National Committees. In 1953, UNICEF became a permanent part of the UN General Assembly. For the last 70 years, the organization has saved more children than any other humanitarian organization in the world. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF, through which WME | IMG will be coordinating its efforts, is an organization that supports UNICEF’s work on behalf of the world’s children through advocacy, education and fundraising in the U.S.
About WME | IMG
WME | IMG is a global leader in entertainment, sports and fashion operating in more than 30 countries. Named one of Fortune’s 25 Most Important Private Companies, WME | IMG specializes in talent representation and management; brand strategy, activation and licensing; media production, sales and distribution; and event management.
About U.S. Fund for UNICEF
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to put children first. UNICEF has helped save more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization, by providing health care and immunizations, clean water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy and education in the United States. Together, we are working toward the day when no children die from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.
Contact:
Gary Double Vice President, Corporate Communications
T: +44 20 8233 7425 • M: +44 7768 825114 • gary.double@img.com
IMG • Building 6, Chiswick Park, 566 Chiswick High Road, London W4 5HR