On January 12th, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck near Haiti’s capital of Port-au-Prince, causing massive death and destruction. While the toll is only beginning to be understood, huge parts of the capital are in ruins and there are the eyewitness and news accounts of "total disaster" and chaos.

An estimated 3 million people are struggling with the aftermath of the earthquake. Current estimates of the death tolls from the Red Cross are over 45,000, and thousands more are living in the streets.

At this stage of the emergency response, the greatest priority is providing survivors with medical aid, food, shelter and other supplies. Your financial contribution will provide support for those in need. We encourage you to make a donation to a reputable organization. The American Institute of Philanthropy, a charity-watchdog group, has provided a list of top-rated Haiti relief organizations which you can access here, www.charitywatch.org/hottopics/Haiti.html.

Thank you very much for your consideration.

Posted on January 15, 2010 7:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

On the evening of January 14, CEO Ted Kim officially launched the new DDB Group Korea office in Seoul. Attending representing DDB Worldwide was special guest Douglas Faudet, Vice Chairman of DDB Asia Pacific.

Both Ted and Douglas made warm and inspiring speeches to a large group of employees, clients and industry peers. Congratulatory video messages were also played from Bob Scarpelli, Chuck Brymer and John Zeigler.

The new DDB offices are bright and open plan, reflecting the new spirit and collaborative approach Ted envisions. DDB global and local work is prominently displayed as is a DDB achievements timeline from 1949 to present day.

The DDB Korea Group includes Optimum Media Korea and Tribal DDB, with plans to launch Rapp and DDB Health within the year.

Les Edwards
Senior VP, DDB Korea Group

Posted on January 25, 2010 7:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

DDB, in partnership with: Ziedot.lv, Swedbank, Maxima, Hanzas Maiznca and many other benefactors, are turning the charitable project "Hunger-free Latvia" into reality. The project’s goal is to help to feed those Latvian families that are unable to provide themselves with the most basic items, including food.

It may be that we won’t rewrite history but this local grassroots effort shows the good that can happen when a community comes together and embraces a cause. The project is currently in full swing – ads can be seen on TV, heard on the radio and spotted outdoors. "Circenīša Ziemassvtki" a song written by Raimonds Pauls and remixed by a singer from Riga - Alisa Joste- has become the food bank's anthem while its TVC uses an approach which is a first for Latvia - sand art created by talented, young artist, Krišjānis Bols.

We’ve also launched a partnership with the LNT show "Tautas Balss" in which a report on our project is shown every Monday evening at 19:10. By the way, during the first three shows, more than LVL 11,000 were donated by callers calling the project's charity hotline: 9000 64 88 which means that 1,337 families will receive food parcels! All of which leads us to believe this community will reach its goal.

Follow "Hunger-free Latvia" on Twitter and Facebook!

Andris Rubins
Managing Director
DDB Latvia

Posted on January 28, 2010 3:55 PM | Permalink