In an example of how the nonprofit sector and the broadcast world are collaborating to increase messaging exposure, tonight, American Idol plans to use the power of its international audience-reach to drive more support for relief efforts in Haiti.
The show will be dedicating its special results show to Haiti, featuring footage from last year’s winner Kris Allen’s trip to Haiti to see relief efforts firsthand, and is encouraging donations to the United Nations Foundation.
We’ve seen major networks and shows use their platforms as ways to increase support for past disasters like Katrina and the 2004 Tsunami, as well as increase awareness and bring attention to issues like climate change, voting and education.
In fact, Univision, the nation’s largest Spanish-language network, just announced its partnership with the White House, the U.S. Department of Education, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to use its television and radio networks and its mobile and Internet platforms to boost academic achievement among Hispanics.
Last year, MTV was also working with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in its Get Schooled initiative, to develop programming and multimedia tools both encouraging students to stay in school and shedding light on how governments can support students struggling to balance school, work and family commitments.
These are issues hundreds of thousands of NPOs and NGOs around the world tackle every day. The ability to get on the shoulders of a media enterprise reaching millions of people through digital content and multimedia platforms amplifies those efforts and renders priceless results.
While we’re talking results, don’t forget to consider the many potential ways we’ve listed to help relief efforts in Haiti via mobile donations.
And here are some tips the United Nations Foundation is offering to tonight’s American Idol audiences:
1. Throw a party and invite your friends. An AMERICAN IDOL watch party needs guests! Invite your friends, family and neighbors to watch the special results show, see video of Kris Allen’s trip with the UN Foundation, and learn more about how to get involved. Provide snacks, a comfortable place to watch the show, and add your own details to make the watch party your own.
2. Read up on our work. If your guests see us on AMERICAN IDOL, they may have questions about our organization, our history, and why it’s so important that they get involved. Be prepared to explain why you support the work of the UN Foundation and the United Nations to solve global problems.
3. Provide ways for your guests to make a difference immediately. After the UN Foundation is featured on AMERICAN IDOL, give your guests a way to take action immediately. Guests can text from their cell phones during the show to make a donation, but have a computer ready for them to contribute online if they want. Have paper and pen ready so that your guests can leave their email address and get more information about the UNFoundation after the event ends. And if any of your guests use Twitter, they can connect with people from across the country who are at other watch parties by using the #UNFIdol hash tag.
4. Remember – this is your chance to make a difference! A lot of the work we do – and the work you support – is serious. But it’s exciting to see the work highlighted in the living rooms of millions of people. Our community will grow, your friends will be excited, and everyone will be able to see some of the good you’ve helped bring to Haiti already. Use your event to enjoy the moment – have your friends over, watch the show, and end the night proud of what you’ve supported in the past. There’s still a lot of work to do, and it’s going to take a lot to get it done, but remember: this is your chance to make a difference. The time is now!
