More than 3,200 employees across 50+ countries at UM unite to give back to local communities

Monday 22nd July 2024, Dubai, UAE – UM, a global media agency network of IPG Mediabrands, celebrated its seventh global Impact Day, under the theme, “ONE Day, ONE UM, ONE Better World.”

Launched in 2016 under UM’s corporate social responsibility unit, Better World, Impact Day reflects the agency’s commitment to its core values of community, curiosity, and courage. UM employees participated in activities around three Impact Day pillars:

  • Equity – Acts of service that directly impact underserved communities.
  • Sustainability – Acts of service that directly impact our planet, locally or globally.
  • Wellness – Acts of service that directly impact the well-being of another person’s physical or mental health.

“UMers from all over the globe look forward every year to volunteering as one connected team for our beloved Impact Day tradition,” said Andrea Suarez, Global CEO, UM. “Our theme this year, ‘ONE Day, ONE UM, ONE Better World’ highlights the incredible impact we can have when we harness the power of our collective action to give back to the communities in which we live, serve, and flourish.”

MENAT Impact Day Highlights:

On Thursday, July 18, UM offices across MENAT closed for half a day to engage in impactful volunteering activities with local charities, NGOs, and community organizations:

  • UM UAE: Partnered with Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital, wrapping and distributing gifts to in-patient children as part of the hospital’s “Wheels for Happiness” program and organizing fun and engaging activities for outpatient kids.
  • UM Kuwait: Brought joy and emotional support to children at a local orphanage, engaging them with drawing and playful activities, complemented by a live popcorn and snack station.
  • UM Qatar: Distributed refreshments, including water, juice, and fruits, to hardworking delivery drivers, security personnel, and valets during the peak of summer.
  • UM Lebanon: Supported Les Restaurants du Coeur, which provides meals for the elderly, and AFEL (Association du Foyer de l’Enfant Libanais), which aids children facing abuse and delinquency. The team distributed nutritious meals and provided live entertainment, including games and dancing.
  • UM Egypt: Partnered with Resala, a charity serving orphans, the elderly, street children, and people with special needs. The team packed and gifted mental and intellectual toys for special needs kids, along with snacks.

Through heartfelt interactions, engaging activities, and thoughtful gift-giving, UM MENAT brought joy and comfort to their local communities, making a significant positive impact on countless lives.

The first Impact Day took place in the U.S. in 2016 and expanded globally in 2018 to 50 offices in 40 countries. Now, UM employees from over 100 offices and 50 countries participate in Impact Day activities, sharing their experiences on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn using the hashtags #UMBetterWorld and #UMImpactDay.