Adland bosses, media owners and some of Australia's big advertisers are preparing to join around 1500 fellow senior business leaders, digging deep and sleeping rough as part of the St Vincent de Paul CEO Sleepout.
The event, taking place next week, has been running for 10 years and sees CEOs across all industries camping out in order to raise money for homelessness. This year, the event is aiming for a $10 million fund-raising target.
CEOs participating in the challenge include Coca-Cola Amatil Group MD Alison Watkins who has raised more than $65,500, The Australian CEO Nicholas Gray on more than $30,000, Southern Cross Austereo GM Richard Barker on nearly $29,000 and billboard company Goa's joint MD John Tyquin who has raised more than $25,000 so far.
M&C Saatchi managing partner Mim Haysom is also involved and said she jumped at the chance to help out a great event and great cause.
"Through our agency relationship with Vinnies, we’ve seen first hand the amazing work they do as an organisation to support our communities and those in need," Haysom said.
"Sleeping out for a night is a relatively simple but effective way to raise awareness and donations for the homeless, so naturally I said yes to take on the challenge and help raise funds."
Brandscreen CEO Robert Manning is joining the challenge in the Sydney leg of the sleepout taking place at Luna Park.
“I only recently became CEO of Brandscreen, which has enabled me to get involved with the CEO Sleepout for the first time this year,” Manning said. “I strongly believe for a community to function, we need community participation!
“Those who can help should help and those who need help should receive help. Simple statements but strong ethos to live by. If more of us adopted this attitude the world would be a better place."
Co-founder and director of finder.com.au - which recently launched a multimillion dollar ad campaign - Fred Schebesta is also participating in the sleep out. In order to boost funds raised, Schebesta is also hosting a charity night on 16 June where he will auction his time and outline how to overhaul digital marketing strategies, will all funds going to the cause.
"The charity networking event came about as I am regularly asked by people if they can steal my internet business ideas," Schebesta said.
"At this event, people can do just that. Ticket proceeds will go to the CEO Sleepout cause and I will reveal my 10 greatest growth hacking strategies. For anyone keen to dig deeper, we will also auction off my digital marketing expertise – the winning bidder will get a one-on-one consultation with me to fast-track their business success."
Other participants include Aldi group MD Stefan Kopp, SurveyMonkey ANZ MD Tony Ward, Capgemini Australia and New Zealand CEO Deepak Nangia, RedBalloon CEO Nick Baker and Airbnb Australia and New Zealand MD Samuel McDonagh.
So far, $2,560,221 has been raised for the event. It will take place in all capital cities and several large regional centres.
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