Community Involvement Fuels Charitable Creativity at DDB Canada

Share DDB art crawl and silent auction encourages employees to tap into their creativity

TORONTO, Nov. 23, 2012 /CNW/ - While Canadians have enjoyed comparative economic stability, the global economic turmoil and increased competition for donor dollars poses real challenges to charitable organizations.

DDB Canada, the most creatively acclaimed, marketing communications agency in Canada believes that businesses need to look for innovative ways to stimulate their financially-conscious employees to give back to their communities.

To encourage its own workforce to stay involved with its communities, DDB Canada is once again hosting its annual employee-driven charitable initiative entitled Share DDB, across its Toronto, Vancouver and Edmonton offices. Employees are invited to donate a unique, personalized auction item, with proceeds benefiting local charities.

DDB Canada is renowned for donating their expertise and services to worthy causes such as the Good Cause Award, a national initiative which sees a creative campaign with media support produced pro bono for charity, thisisourvancouver.com, a 100 per cent crowd-sourced on-line platform for Vancouverites to convey their positive feelings to the world post 2011 Stanley Cup finals, and a symbolic campaign for Remembrance Day, promoting the Historica-Dominion Institute's Memory Project - an initiative dedicated to keeping Canada's war-time history alive.

Other award-winning public service campaigns include work for Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland, and Crime Stoppers, which garnered a prestigious, bronze Radio Lion at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

"We all have a sense of responsibility to support our communities and to adopt a give-back philosophy.  Doing so in a creative fashion provides an opportunity for our staff to exercise their talent and to make it more personal," said David Leonard, national president and COO, DDB Canada. "It's this personal touch that makes Share DDB, such a rewarding program for not only our generous employees, but also our vendors and clients.

In previous years, employees have donated such creative works as: handmade pillows, snowboard lessons featuring lift tickets, rentals and lunch, a family portrait photo session, a personalized vintage shopping lesson from a vivacious fashionista, and private golf lessons.

Share DDB, which began at DDB Canada's Vancouver office in 2006, launched in Toronto and Edmonton last year, resulting in over $36,000 raised for local charities. This year, proceeds will benefit four charities as chosen by DDB Canada staff. These charities are: the James Lee Foundation, a scholarship fund created in memory of a very special DDB family member who continues to inspire countless people in the advertising industry; Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada, which provides a home-away-from-home for the families of seriously ill children who are receiving treatment at a nearby hospital; The Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society, dedicated to providing food and assistance to those in need throughout Vancouver; and The Hope Mission, a non-profit organization that cares for those who are impoverished and homeless in Edmonton and surrounding areas.

Already, the response this year has been overwhelming, with Share DDB's Vancouver event taking place on November 21 and raising over  $18,000 for charity. DDB Canada's Toronto office will host Share DDB for its second year on Thursday, November 29, with Edmonton, also in its second year, closing the festivities on Friday, December 7.

To offset costs of the evening and maximize funds raised, DDB Canada connects with its clients and preferred vendors to sponsor each event and either donate their services or an item for auction. In fact, Share DDB Vancouver's highest bid item this year was a 6'x3.5' print mounted on canvas, donated by one of the agency's talented photography partners, Noel Hendrickson. The item sold for $330.

Along with photography, generous sponsors and vendors have provided venue space, catering, beverages, custom cupcakes and décor to help make Share DDB the success it is today.

"It truly is amazing to see how much support Share DDB has received from employees, their families, clients and vendors, each of which has donated incredible pieces of work, fueled by their own passion and imagination," added Leonard. "Whether we're enduring a recession or enjoying a boom, nation-wide collaborations such as Share DDB will continue to be an essential component of our agency's heritage, our client and vendor relationships, and our employees' rewarding growth.

About DDB Canada

DDB Canada is the most creatively acclaimed, internationally recognized marketing communications agency in Canada. Known for advertising that generates significant results for clients, DDB Canada is a "total communications company" whose fundamental belief is that creativity is the most powerful force in business. DDB Canada has offices in Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto and Montreal. The agency's integrated groups include: DDB Kid Think (youth marketing), DDB Public Relations, Tribal DDB (digital), Karacters Design Group, Rapp Canada (direct), Radar DDB (social media), DDB Hodes Recruitment Communications (recruitment marketing) and Shopper DDB (shopper marketing).

SOURCE: DDB Canada

For more information or interviews, please contact:
Greg Vallentin
DDB Canada
416-963-4283
[email protected]