How our members are supporting Ukraine 

Find out how members of the advertising industry have been supporting our colleagues and citizens in Ukraine. Advertising revenues continue to fund vital news services to keep the world informed with trusted, up-to-date sources of information.  

Whether this is combating disinformation, providing on-the-ground assistance to colleagues, or supporting fundraising appeals, if you are a member with an initiative you would like to share, please contact aa@adassoc.org.uk  

Twitter

Twitter has launched several initiatives to promote the safety of people on and off the service following the invasion of Ukraine. Some of their key actions include elevating reliable information, enhancing safety, furthering their action on state-affiliated media and labeling qualifying government accounts to provide additional context.

You can find out more about Twitter’s initiatives here.

Advertising Producers Association (APA) 

The APA is collecting donations from its members and passing it on to Radioaktive, who are organising their support from their temporary base in Warsaw. They are undertaking this initiative with the AICP, so that money comes from US production companies too.   As of 14 April, the APA has raised £413,000 with the figure growing every day.

If you want to learn more about the APA’s donation system, head here.   

British Promotional Merchandise Association (BPMA) 

The BPMA’s members are donating via ongoing collections and initiatives. Here are just a few examples of the active support emerging across the industry:

• Prominate are collecting a wide range of goods which will be distributed via their IPPAG partners in Romania and Poland. Please contact Collette Jeanes for more information and check what items are still required: Colette.jeanes@prominate.uk
• CHX have designed and produced the Sunflower support badge, with which they aim to raise £5000 by selling 2000 units at £2.50+P&P. 100% of the proceeds are going to the Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC). You can donate and get your badge here.
• Pen Warehouse has set up an internal fundraising scheme, with the company matching amounts donated by staff. It has already raised £1000 for the Red Cross to help towards relief efforts in Ukraine.

National news brands  

Publishers across the news industry are ensuring factual information is reported and their readers have opportunities to support those in need.  

The UK news media industry has pulled out all the stops to cover the unfolding conflict with first hand reporting from journalists on the ground, to charity appeals and powerful front pages.

Appeals have been set up by the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday which raised £2.5million within the first four days of the campaign’s launch, with total funds now exceeding over £10million.  

Campaigns for donations have also been set up by the Evening Standard to help charities on the ground supporting refugees crossing the Ukrainian border, and the Independent has restarted its Refugees Welcome campaign.   

At News UK, The Sun has launched its Ukraine Fund for the Red Cross, which has received support from current and former prime ministers.  

From Reach plc, the Mirror has teamed up with Save the Children’s appeal and the Express directed readers towards the Help Ukraine Emergency Appeal and British-Ukrainian Aid. 

The Telegraph and the Guardian have listed other ways readers can help, including funding Ukrainian independent journalism and writing to readers’ local MP.  

Read more about national news campaigns via Newsworks. 

The News Media Association (NMA) has also supported proposals to introduce a new emergency visa for journalists at risk in reporting on the escalating conflict in Ukraine. 

Meta 

Meta has provided updates on their security and monitoring work in Ukraine as well as issued updates regarding misinformation and state-controlled media outlets. Ukraine’s State Emergency Services has also launched an information helpline on WhatsApp.  

Since February 23, more than $20 million has been raised for nonprofits on Facebook and Instagram in support of humanitarian efforts for Ukraine. 

Read more via Meta’s newsroom. 

Google 

Google.org and Google employees are contributing $15 million in donations and in-kind support to aid relief efforts in Ukraine, including $5 million so far from an employee matching campaign and $5 million in direct grants.  

They have also updated search and maps functions in Ukraine, expanded security protections and provided updates on promoting information quality.  

Read more about their announcements here. 

Agencies 

WPP, including members GroupM, essence, Ogilvy, Wavemaker and Wunderman Thompson, has 200 staff in Ukraine and has said it is providing financial support packages for all employees. It has also partnered with the UN Refugee Agency to run an emergency appeal to help people forced to flee their homes in Ukraine and is match-funding employees’ donations. 

Publicis Groupe has guaranteed the salaries of its 350 employees in the country and has said its security alert systems, emergency hotlines and financial assistance are being further reinforced to adapt to the rapidly evolving context.  

Individual Omnicom agencies in local markets are supporting NGO relief efforts as well as working with clients and partners to source medical supplies, clothing and food to send to the people of Ukraine.  

Dentsu International, which has 500 employees in Ukraine, has also made a large donation to the Red Cross.  

IPG has also made a donation to the Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders.  

Visit The Drum’s rolling blog for more details.