The media, marketing and creative industry has been asked to tell who they are ‘#mmad4’ this Friday 1st December in a bid to help raise awareness for Musicians Making a Difference (MMAD) and young people who just need someone to believe in them.
The campaign encourages individuals to take a selfie with a #MMAD4U sign, post the shot on their socials and tag someone to let them know you believe in them and say “I’m #MMAD4U”.
MMAD supports young people suffering from abuse and neglect, using the power of music, dance and mentoring to inspire young people to make their lives remarkable. When MMAD asked ten kids in their program who had overcome massive adversity about what was the one thing that helped them turn their life around, all of them said: having someone who truly believed in them.
In 2015, those ten kids created a national day called #MMD4U day so that every person would know there is someone who believes in them. The day has since grown and received strong support from celebrities, influencers and musicians around the world and has reached over 1.5 million Australians.
MMAD CEO and founder Dominic Brook says: “People underestimate the power of positive encouragement and the potential it has to transform a life. On Friday December 1, reach out to that person in your life who may need to hear it. We are asking everyone to help raise awareness by posting an image with ‘#MMAD4U’ and tag them in your post because every young person deserves someone who believes in them and the opportunity to live their potential.”
CEO of UnLtd Chris Freel says: “Dom and the MMAD team make a huge difference in young people’s lives every day. #MMAD4U day is your chance to make a difference and tell a young person close to you that you believe in them. This support and belief has a really positive influence so please get involved in #MMAD4U Day and play your part to help.”
The day also features the official launch of the new single ‘Headstrong’. Each year, ten kids from MMAD’s Rising Stars Program are selected to collaborate with mentors from Universal Music Australia. These young people have shown real potential for change and have worked their way through a series of powerful personal growth programs to step into a new way of life and break the negative cycles. As part of the program, the Rising Stars write a song with powerful lyrics expressing their challenges, experiences and highlights. Listen to the track here. All proceeds from the sale of the single are donated to MMAD.
Over the years the campaign has attracted strong media and music support from artists including, Shawn Mendes, 5 Seconds of Summer, Ronan Keating, Empire of the Sun, Birds of Tokyo, DJ Tigerlily, Justice Crew, Tina Arena, Ita Buttrose, The Presets and many more!
So on Friday 1 December 2017, be part of #MMAD4U Day:
- Take a photo with your #MMAD4U sign!!
- Post it on social media
- Tag someone you believe in with #MMAD4U
Proud media supporters of #MMAD4U day include Universal Music Australia, Twitter, UnLtd, Australian Radio Network and Network Ten.
More information about this year’s #MMAD4U kids:
Mirrah (MMAD Ambassador)
Mirrah was adopted at an early age and music has changed her life and she is now a touring musician. She is now a MMAD ambassador and is the lead singer on the 2017 #MMAD4U single. More information – Watch Here
Cassie
Cassie is a sexual abuse survivor and this year has overcome unemployment and homelessness. Cassie also has a dream to compete in the National Strongman (Australia’s strongest men and women competition) and placed #1 in the Arnold Classic Championship qualifier. More information - Watch Here
Eli
Eli has overcome drug addiction and homelessness and is now rising up as a young leader volunteering with MMAD. More information – Watch Here
Cali
Cali has overcome addiction and lack of any role models in his life. He continues to work hard on his dreams and to inspire others. More information – Watch Here
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About MMAD
Musicians Making A Difference (MMAD) Inc is an Australian charity that exists to change young lives through music. MMAD uses the power of music, dance & mentoring to inspire young people to make their lives remarkable. MMAD provides creative support to young people, (especially those who have suffered emotional abuse, neglect and disadvantage) in overcoming challenges such as homelessness, destructive patterns of behaviour, exclusion from school, family breakdown, drug and alcohol dependency, unemployment and reoffending. The goal is not only to break negative cycles but to empower young people to go on and make their own difference within the community. Find out more at: http://www.mmad.org.au
About Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group (UMG) is the world leader in music-based entertainment, with a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising and audiovisual content in more than 60 countries. Featuring the most comprehensive catalog of recordings and songs across every musical genre, UMG identifies and develops artists and produces and distributes the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music in the world. Committed to artistry, innovation and entrepreneurship, UMG fosters the development of services, platforms and business models in order to broaden artistic and commercial opportunities for our artists and create new experiences for fans. Universal Music Group is a Vivendi company. Find out more at: http://www.universalmusic.com
About UnLtd
UnLtd is a social purpose organisation connecting the media, marketing and creative industries with charities helping children and young people at risk. Find out more at http://unltd.org.au/