NZ Business embraces DraftFCB’s 1000 Hours Project

Media Release
Wednesday 18 March, 2009
For Immediate Release

New Zealand business embraces DraftFCB’s 1000 Hours Project
designed to save jobs

The 1000 Hours Project, recently launched by advertising agency DraftFCB, has received a positive response from NZ business. The initiative sees 1000 free hours of advertising expertise offered by DraftFCB to help maintain and create jobs.

Over 90 companies have applied in the first two weeks and the project has received praise from Prime Minister John Key’s office, who have commended the idea.

Since launching on 2 March, the project has grown in size with several other companies offering their services to the recipients of the fund. Media, Marketing, Human Resource, Photography and Coaching businesses have contacted DraftFCB put forward their own pro-bono contributions. The total value of services offered to the potential recipients has more than doubled to an estimated value of $500,000.

DraftFCB CEO, Bryan Crawford says of the response to the initiative “We are pleased that there has been so much interest from both applicants and other companies wanting to contribute to 1000 Hours Project themselves. However, the sobering truth is that this shows that there is a real need from many businesses for help and support during these difficult times”.

Mr. Crawford adds, “If we see more companies get on board and 1000 Hours continues to grow the project could help save more jobs and boost our economy.”

Companies wishing to express interest in applying for the 1000 Hours project should go to www.draftfcb.co.nz for further information by 31 March.

ENDS

About DraftFCB
DraftFCB is one of the country’s top marketing and communications agencies, and is part of the DraftFCB Worldwide network. The agency is committed to delivering positive change to its extensive list of clients in the automotive, retail, government, media and FMCG sectors. DraftFCB is a subsidiary of the Interpublic Group of Companies, a US public listed company that also owns the Lowe Worldwide and McCann Erickson Worldwide.

DraftFCB is the 2008 Fairfax/Admedia Agency of the Year.

Notes to editors:

• 1000 free hours of advertising expertise equates to a value of approximately $200,000.

• The 1000 Hours Fund will cover skills and services from DraftFCB including strategic planning, creative development, media planning and buying, and account management. It does not include production costs or any other services not supplied by DraftFCB.

• Applicants submit an expression of interest through our website www.draftfcb.co.nz. Upon receiving the submission DraftFCB will send applicants a list of criteria.

• Applicants must demonstrate that their business and/or project will directly create jobs for Kiwis. They must be committed to producing a communications campaign as part of executing the initiative. There must be adequate funding for the communications campaign.

• Companies in business categories competing with existing DraftFCB clients will not be eligible.

• For the 1000 Hours Fund to provide significant results it is important to provide any selected applicants with quality advice and ideas. This means DraftFCB is likely to limit the maximum number of recipients of the fund to no more than three companies.

• Companies offering additional pro-bono contributions to the 1000 Hours Project recipients include:
– APN Outdoor
– ACP
– Trade Me
– Text2Get
– Spike Mail

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