Ogilvy & Mather and American Express Partner to Help Earthquake Victims in Chile

NEW YORK, May 17 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to the 2010 Chilean earthquake, LatinRed, the Hispanic Professional Network of Ogilvy & Mather, one of the largest marketing communications companies in the world, worked together with AHORA, American Express' Hispanic Employee Network, to host a Members Project event, to support recovery efforts.

Employees from Ogilvy & Mather and American Express joined forces for an emergency kit drive to assemble 1,000 emergency kits, supplied by American Express, with a variety of goods for victims affected by the earthquake in Chile.  The event took place in the Ogilvy Cafe where Chilean food was served.

"Our thoughts go out to the victims and families of those affected by the catastrophe in Chile.  We are proud of the LatinRed network and support their contribution to the ongoing disaster relief efforts," said John Seifert, Chairman, Ogilvy & Mather North America.

AHORA member Alfred Vaca, a Marketing Manager in Small Business Solutions at American Express who participated in the 'Lending a Helping Hand to Chile' event said, "It is gratifying to have opportunities through AHORA to partner with my colleagues at Ogilvy & Mather and American Express and roll up our sleeves to help people in need in Chile."

The emergency kits were delivered to World Vision Chile, a charity that is globally positioned to help with immediate needs like food, water and shelter when disaster strikes and to help communities recover from these catastrophes.

The enthusiasm of the LatinRed professional network doesn't end there. Over a 4-week period, LatinRed raised over $3,000 selling 'Ayuda Chile' awareness wristbands in the Ogilvy & Mather Cafe. For convenience, LatinRed created a way for people to purchase these with their credit cards and lunch cards. Funds collected will go to "Un Techo Para Mi Pais," a charity which strives to improve the quality of life of impoverished families through transitional houses and social inclusion programs, in a joint effort between university volunteers and the communities.

About LatinRED and Professional Networks @ Ogilvy

LatinRED is part of the Employee Advisory Council's (EAC) Professional Networks, a set of employee resource groups enabling active participation to support Ogilvy's Diversity & Inclusion Strategy. Now in its second year, the network, in addition to LatinRED, consists of RedLotus (Asia Community), Black Professionals Network, Ogilvy Pride (LGBT Community), Working Parents, Administrative Professional Network and Young Professionals. The Professional Networks provide a formal link between diverse employee groups, clients, the community and senior management. Further, giving each its own unique voice, it offers employees a chance to deepen their engagement and grow both within and for the organization.

About Ogilvy

Ogilvy & Mather (ogilvy.com) is one of the largest marketing communications companies in the world. Through its specialty units – OgilvyOne, Ogilvy Public Relations, OgilvyAction, Ogilvy Healthworld, Neo@Ogilvy, RedWorks and others -- the company provides a comprehensive range of marketing services including: advertising; public relations and public affairs; branding and identity; shopper and retail marketing; healthcare communications; direct, digital, promotion, relationship marketing. Ogilvy & Mather services Fortune Global 500 companies as well as local businesses through its network of more than 450 offices in 120 countries. It is a WPP company (Nasdaq: WPPGY, wpp.com). For more information, visit www.ogilvy.com.

About American Express and Members Project

American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success.  Learn more at www.americanexpress.com and connect with us on www.facebook.com/americanexpress, www.twitter.com/americanexpress and www.youtube.com/americanexpress.

Members Project is a wide-open platform to express your passion in small, manageable steps, whether it's one volunteer hour, one mouse click, or one dollar.  The message is simple – Everyone can help change the world for the better, one step at a time.

SOURCE Ogilvy & Mather