INVESTING IN OUR COMMUNITIES
Astral Media and its employees play an important role in assisting hundreds of worthy charitable organizations in the communities we serve. In Fiscal 2006, we contributed over $9 million in value to more than 200 organizations either through donations of airtime on our radio and television networks, ad space on our billboards, or through direct financial support.
The following are just a few examples of our social investment:
In our partnership with Dr Clown, a therapeutic clown organization, Astral Media has to date donated $1.7 million dollars in ad space to the organization. In addition, internal initiatives held over the course of the year, have raised more than $20,000 in cash to help Dr Clown keep its programs running in different hospitals and institutions. In March 2006, during the Crea Awards, Astral Media initiated a contest among advertising agencies to create a new television, radio and billboard fundraising ad campaign for the organization, which launched at the end of June 2006.
Dr Clown ad campaign in French market: "keep within reach of children".
VRAK.TV decided to take advantage of its reputation and influence with young viewers by launching ST-VRAK Day, on May 28, in an effort to counter youth sedentariness and promote better health through physical activity and healthier eating.
During the course of the year our radio networks were also very active in supporting a variety of fundraising initiatives including drives for Opération Enfant Soleil raising $100,000 and le Club des Petits Déjeuners, raising $1.5 million. Sales teams at the three networks - Énergie, RockDétente and Boom fm - also banded together for the annual Opération Voeux de Noël that raised over $100,000 at Christmas for various charitable organizations.
Family hosted it's 3rd Annual Bullying Awareness Week on November 14, a campaign that encourages children to take a pledge to reach out in support of victims of bullying rather than silently watch when someone is being picked-on. Family has been active with anti-bullying campaigns since partnering with www.bullying.org in 2003.
In April, Canal Vie also announced its support for Québec-Transplant, an organization mandated to coordinate organ donation in the Province of Québec, with Décore ta vie's Saskia Thuot as spokesperson. The network also created new television ads delivering the sober message "Un don pour la vie" (A gift for life).
Astral Media has also built strong community partnerships over the years with other causes that we are proud to continue to support. We lend our corporate support to the annual Montréal Media Christmas Food Drive, as well as the United Way. |
