MANILA/SINGAPORE – November 22, 2013 – Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Asia, a division of Viacom Inc. today announced the company’s efforts to support the victims of Typhoon Haiyan in its aftermath.
Last week, Viacom established a company-wide employee matching t program with UNICEF to help children who now desperately need shelter, clean water and nutrition supplies. Since then, the company has extended support to UNICEF through the creation of two Public Service Announcements (PSAs) with artists through MTV and Nickelodeon, which will reach its primary millennial audiences around the world.
The Typhoon took place the same weekend as the MTV EMAs in Amsterdam, VIMN said in a press release, noting that Jared Leto from Thirty Seconds to Mars used his moment on the MTV EMA stage to raise awareness about the tragedy, and shared how fans can help donate through UNICEF’s emergency response in the Philippines. The cast of Nickelodeon’s Sam & Cat, Ariana Grande and Jennette McCurdy, also lent their support with a PSA to support the same donation drive. Collectively, both PSAs are aired across MTV and Nickelodeon networks around the world and posted on the networks’ social media channels, while Jared Leto’s PSA also goes across Comedy Central Asia’s network.
Apart from reaching to artists to lend their support, MTV Voices worked with a local youth, Yan Yuzon in Manila whose post and on-ground account of the devastation was posted on MTV Voices website and shared across MTV’s social media channels. UNICEF is working with MTV Voices to find more young people on the ground to write, so that new content will be shared over the next few weeks, giving the perspective of the devastation through the eyes of the Filipino millennials.
“Our hearts go out to the millions affected by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. We’ve all been touched by the harrowing images of the widespread devastation that left many injured, homeless and loved ones lost,” said Indra Suharjono, VIMN Asia’s executive vice president and managing director. “Engaging audiences through our pro-social initiatives is a commitment that we do not take lightly. As an entertainment content company, we have an extensive global reach, particularly with our millennial audiences. We believe we have the responsibility to engage our audiences around the world through TV, online and mobile platforms, and in whatever part we can play, we want to create the awareness of the devastation that the Philippines went through and embolden our audiences to support the donation drive.”
Photo credit: MTV & Getty Images
