Friday, November 02, 2012

Viacom Donates US$1 Million To Hurricane Sandy Relief Efforts; Pledges An Additional US$1 Million To The American Red Cross Through An Employee Matching Gift Program

Below is a Viacom Inc. Press Release from PRNewswire:
Viacom Donates $1 Million To Hurricane Sandy Relief Efforts

Company Also Pledges An Additional $1 Million To The American Red Cross Through An Employee Matching Gift Program

NEW YORK, Nov. 1, 2012 /Viacom Press Release via PRNewswire/ -- Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA) today announced a donation of $1 million to help victims of Hurricane Sandy. Viacom will donate $500,000 to the Mayor's Fund for NYC and $500,000 to local organizations for relief and rebuilding efforts in Connecticut, Long Island, New Jersey and Westchester County. In addition, Viacom has set up a $1 million employee matching gift program with The American Red Cross, which will give Viacom employees the opportunity to maximize their personal contributions.

(Download image - Viacom Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110811/NY51392LOGO )

With global headquarters in New York's Times Square and operations in downtown New York City, New Jersey and on Long Island, Viacom has more than 4,000 employees who live in the communities directly impacted by Hurricane Sandy.

Viacom President and Chief Executive Officer, Philippe Dauman, said, "The devastation from Hurricane Sandy is unprecedented and has left so many struggling to rebuild their lives. Viacom has always had a strong relationship with the communities it serves and we are proud to step forward once again to help those in need. In addition to these efforts, Viacom's media brands are mobilizing behind Hurricane Sandy relief efforts in ways that are most impactful and meaningful for their audiences."

Viacom also announced the creation of a Viacommunity Employee Relief Program to directly assist Viacom employees who have been severely impacted by the storm.
"As we reach out a helping hand to our neighbors in the communities where we live and work, we also want to take care of our own employees," Mr. Dauman added. "Like millions of people in the devastating path of Sandy, some of Viacom's employees have experienced enormous hardships including severe damage or loss of homes and other property. The Viacommunity Employee Relief Program will offer logistical assistance as well as aid to employees dealing with critical issues related to the storm."

Viacom is home to the world's premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms in over 160 countries and territories. With media networks reaching approximately 700 million global subscribers, Viacom's leading brands include MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo, BET, CENTRIC, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., TeenNick, Nicktoons, Nick at Nite, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV Land, SPIKE, Tr3s, Paramount Channel and VIVA. Paramount Pictures, celebrating its 100th year in 2012 and creator of many of the most beloved motion pictures, continues today as a major global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment. Viacom operates a large portfolio of branded digital media experiences, including many of the world's most popular properties for entertainment, community and casual online gaming.

For more information about Viacom and its businesses, visit www.viacom.com. Keep up with Viacom news by following Viacom's blog at blog.viacom.com and Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/Viacom.

SOURCE Viacom Inc.

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Also, from The Hollywood Reporter:
Viacom, Walt Disney Donate $3 Million to Hurricane Sandy Relief

UPDATED: The entertainment giants also launch programs to match employee donations, and Viacom starts an effort to assist staff affected by the storm's fallout.

Entertainment conglomerates Viacom Inc. and the Walt Disney Co. on Thursday joined the Hurricane Sandy relief effort with donations of $1 million and $2 million, respectively, and programs to match donations from employees.

Disney unveiled a $2 million cash commitment to the relief and rebuilding efforts for those impacted by Hurricane Sandy. Half of that will go to the American Red Cross, with another $1 million designated for organizations working on rebuilding efforts. In addition, the entertainment giant has launched a program to match donation from its employees.

In addition to financial contributions, Disney-ABC Television Group and ESPN will run public service announcements on ABC, ABC.com, ABCNews.com, Radio Disney and ESPN’s networks encouraging viewers to support relief and rebuilding efforts.
Viacom will donate $500,000 to the Mayor’s Fund for NYC and $500,000 to local organizations for relief and rebuilding efforts in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York's Westchester County and Long Island, regions. In addition, the company, has set up a program to match up to $1 million in employee gifts. The program with the American Red Cross, which will give the conglomerate's employees the opportunity to maximize personal contributions.

Viacom is also creating a Viacommunity Employee Relief Program to directly assist its employees who have been severely impacted by the storm. With its headquarters in New York’s Times Square and operations in downtown Manhattan, New Jersey and Long Island, Viacom said it has more than 4,000 employees who live in the communities affected by Hurricane Sandy.

On Wednesday, News Corp. had unveiled a $1 million donation.

Said Viacom president and CEO Philippe Dauman: “The devastation from Hurricane Sandy is unprecedented and has left so many struggling to rebuild their lives. Viacom has always had a strong relationship with the communities it serves, and we are proud to step forward once again to help those in need."

He added that Viacom’s media brands are also "mobilizing behind Hurricane Sandy relief efforts in ways that are most impactful and meaningful for their audiences.”

“It’s hard to fathom the devastation from this storm,” said Disney chairman and CEO Robert Iger. “Thousands of people in the hurricane’s path lost everything and face the daunting challenge of putting their lives and communities back together. We hope this helps provide immediate aid needed to get through this disaster and begin the road to recovery.”