Appco Group fundraisers support Earth Hour

Appco Group UK has lots of things to be proud of. This year, when people all over the UK switched off their lights and even UK landmarks like Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Big Ben and the London Eye went in for a voluntary blackout for 60 minutes and as British Prime Minister David Cameron made a video address supporting Earth Hour, the ace direct marketing company was happy at having done its share towards making things happen so perfectly well. The Appco Group had worked hard towards making the Earth Hour a big success. The company's fundraisers had gone about, raising public support for the event, which is observed to urge world leaders to tackle climate changes on a war-footing.

It was not just in the UK that people went in for a black out; it was happening the entire world over on March 26 at 8.30 pm. Even iconic landmarks, the world over, like Times Square in New York, the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Brazil, Eiffel Tower in Paris, Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Davis Station, Antarctica and the Sydney Opera House in Australia took part in this. The Earth Hour was for the first time observed in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned their lights off for one hour to take a stand against climate change. From there it grew, gaining international proportions and now, it's seen as the joint effort of the whole of humanity to serve planet earth and to save humanity.

Appco Group has always stood by the people and such noble causes. Hence no effort is spared in making sure proper awareness is created about things like the Earth Hour and people from all walks of life are encouraged to take part in such events. It's here that the Appco Group scores much above usual direct marketing companies.

Appco Group launches operations in Belgium

Even as Appco Group UK is creating ripples in direct marketing, Appco Group launches operations in yet another country, Belgium. The official launch was on April 5, which has happened after the successful test of the market, conducted systematically last year. The company thus is now active in 25 countries worldwide. The beginnings in Belgium is with the energy division, catering to a prominent client.

Jess Leeson, General Manager, Appco Group Belgique, sounds very confident when he says, “The tests showed us that the company can be huge in Belgium. We expect to open a second location with a new client by the end of this year. The growth opportunities are promising.”

“We are incredibly excited about our venture into the first French speaking country within the Group in 2011...This is an amazing opportunity for French speakers within the Group worldwide”, says Appco Group Vice President and Country Head of Belgium, Simon Murphy.

Appco FRs flown to Canary Islands to see charity work

That Appco Group UK is doing commendable service in the charities sector is known to all. The company also gives its personnel ample opportunities to make trips to understand how things progress at other places. This is done in all countries where the company has its operations.

Recently ten fundraisers in Spain got a chance to see how their efforts improved lives of vulnerable kids. Appco Group Support España did this by holding a competition open to all Spanish Field Representatives within the charities division. The ten best performers were offered the chance to be flown to the Canary Islands to see a children’s charity at work. The ten fundraisers thus got the chance to visit a special village where about 40 children live. They were happy to see that these kids were given the chance to grow up in a warm family atmosphere and also that the social workers and charity 'mothers' there were doing real fantastic work.

One of the Field Representatives who undertook this trip, had this to say, “It enabled us to see how important the work we do is. It has made me feel really proud that I am helping to make a difference.”

These Appco Group FRs also got the opportunity to take part in a thrilling go-karting competition during the trip.

Appco Group UK personnel congratulate Chris Kiely and team

Appco Group UK personnel are happy that Chris Kiely and his team of nine, working with Appco New Zealand, had a narrow escape when disaster struck in the form of the 6.3 magnitude earthquake that hit Christchurch, New Zealand on February 22.

Chris, who is the Managing Director of a company associated to Appco Group New Zealand, was conducting a Training Day in his office when the earthquake struck. He managed to exit safely, along with his team and watched on in horror and the building adjacent to theirs collapsed. Chris' office was destroyed, but alternate arrangements are being made.

“We are all really lucky to be safe, but are shaken by the horrific event, “said Chris Kiely.

“We’re giving full support to the Christchurch team as they overcome this experience. We organised flights to Auckland over the weekend for them and they will work with the team there for several weeks, and also attend the Rally taking place on March 5”, said Appco Group VP Stewart Hartley.

Appco Group Support works wonders with major partner in Australia

Appco Group UK has been working out campaigns with its clients in the charities sector, delivering remarkable kind of results. Appco Group Support has had a fruitful alliance with one of the world's largest development agencies that focuses on assisting children in developing countries. The organisation this year intends to generate more donations through sign-ups in Australia by way of its tie-up with Appco Group. The organisation is working with the company to drive acquisition of new supporters for its monthly program, which in turn provides a vital source of income to fund projects that benefit children throughout the world.

Says a spokesman representing the aforesaid organisation, “We’ve seen the positive impact of the company's efforts in other territories that we work in, and were eager to replicate the success in the Australian market place. Appco Group Support was able to provide the professional, reliable and cost effective service that we needed."

Appco Group Support representative visits Indian slums

Appco Group UK renders meritorious service in the charities sector, helping its charity clients do their work with all smoothness and find donors.

Appco Group Support's Philip Bresser recently visited the slums in Chennai, India. His intention was to see the difference that the projects of Street Children, run for a charity partner, make. He summarises his experience as :

“On a daily basis, we see the terrible things happening around the world, by watching the news or picking up a newspaper. But we can be very dismissive of what is happening. It seems very far away from the reality of our own lives. In the Western world we have reached the stage where we are used to the luxuries we have around us or that are so easily accessible. We live in a part of the world where we as individuals are empowered to make choices.
I visited the Street Children projects of Anbu Illam in Chennai, India. This is the first year all the Marketing Companies in the Netherlands are contributing to the programmes in Chennai. The field visit had a significant impact on me. Probably, because it is as confrontational as it can get.

On television we see things happening in, so-called, Third World countries. Usually it is all far away and surrealistic. However, the things we have heard, seen and smelled in the slums and on the streets are very real. The Street Children projects in Chennai are necessary and really tangible.

India is a country with a billion registered people and more than a million children are 'living' in the streets in Chennai. By directly supporting the projects in Chennai, we enable a significant 'extra' amount of children in Chennai to get proper shelter, healthcare, education and to be treated in a human way. We enable them to get into a position where they can make some choices in life as well, just like we do. The visit to Chennai put things into perspective for me and makes me realise how lucky I am, just to be born in this part of the world.”

The service that Appco Group has been rendering in the charities sector is indeed notable and deserves appreciation.

Appco Group with the underprivileged children in India

Appco Group Support, the Appco Group's charities division, forges a partnership with a leading charity client in India and strives to work for underprivileged children.

It was in 2001 that the campaign to alleviate the sufferings of underprivileged children was started, joining forces with the client. The campaign spread out to ten cities across India, with over 325 dedicated fund-raisers in the field spreading awareness of the campaign. The campaign, with child welfare and development as its motto, seeks to help the 8 million children, within the 6 to 14 age bracket, who are restricted access to education in India. The campaign generates donor supports, creates awareness about clients and their work and makes sure that the growth rate with the client, which has been as high as 120%, remains steady. Over the past nine years, it's over a million charitable donations that has been raised for this client.

“Our journey with this client has been great. Our sole aim is to take this partnership to an extent where one day we will be able to reach every underprivileged child in this country”, says Saiprakash Kuckian, Vice President Appco Group India, Product Head Charity Division.

Appco Group UK also does appreciable work in the charities sector and sets example for others.