Text-to-donate raises over £6.8m in mobile donations for the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal

Fonix logo in blue

 

Fonix has been the mobile donation partner for the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.

More than £6.8m has been raised by the UK public via text-to-donate so far, to support the aid effort in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries.

Since the beginning of March text-to-donate has been promoted across the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, Sky, Radiocentre, BT Sport and Co-op to name a few.

Concert for Ukraine, which took place in the UK on 29 March, raised more than £4.9m in mobile donations, helping contribute to the £13.4m raised on the night of the Appeal.

The two-hour show brought together names from the world of music for a unique event spreading a message of hope and support, and most importantly, raising funds for the ongoing DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. The live show was broadcast across ITV, STV, ITV Hub and STV Player.

The show promoted text-to-donate, allowing donors to donate via text at one of four price points: £10, £20, £30 and £40. Donations were charged to a donor’s mobile phone bill.

Rob Weisz, CEO of Fonix, said: “We are so very proud to be able to work with the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) to help the humanitarian effort to support those affected by the crisis in Ukraine.”

Simon Beresford, Director of Fundraising and Marketing of DEC, added: “We’re thankful to Fonix for enabling mobile donations so quickly and to the generous UK public whose donations will go on to make such a difference. As humanitarian needs continue to grow, the money raised will help to provide vital support to families caught up in this devastating conflict.”

CHANNEL 5 SELECT FONIX FOR TWO YEAR AGREEMENT FOR ALL MOBILE INTERACTIVE SERVICES

 

LONDON, UK — August 2014 — Fonix, leaders in mobile messaging, payments and telephony and Channel 5, one of Britain’s largest commercial broadcasters, today announce a two year partnership.

The partnership is focused on developing engagement between Channel 5’s audience through interactive services, driving returns for the broadcaster and value to the audience.

Using a suite of Fonix solutions including mobile messaging and payments layered with data analytics and marketing services, Channel 5 is providing viewers with an opportunity to interact and engage with formats through an increasingly optimised and value added experience.

“We have some of the most popular interactive formats that TV has to offer. We need our partners to be technically and operationally flawless whilst supporting us strategically around new initiatives. We have undergone a market wide supplier review process and are very pleased to have appointed Fonix to work with us moving forward.’’ said Joanna Cox, Acting Head of Commercial Partnerships, Channel 5.

Rob Weisz, CEO of Fonix Mobile commented, “Channel 5 is forward thinking, innovative and expert in the interactive mobile space. Our relationship with Channel 5 allows us to work collaboratively to drive key objectives and introduce new initiatives like data driven marketing and optimisation – we have a number of very exciting initiatives to introduce over the coming months.”

About Fonix

Fonix Mobile have recently announced their merger with Orca Digital to create the UK’s leading mobile messaging, mobile payments and interactive services business – coming together under the unified brand Fonix.

Fonix offer a wide range of products including SMS, PSMS, Mobile Billing, Voice Shortcode and Telephony services. Our ambition is to bring an exciting, new, fresh approach to the mobile payments and interactive industry – determined to drive market leading products into a variety of exciting sectors including media, broadcast, entertainment, enterprise and consumer markets.

For more information, please email hello@fonix.com

www.fonix.com

ABOUT CHANNEL 5:

Channel 5 launched as Britain’s fifth terrestrial broadcaster in March 1997. It currently attracts well over 42 million viewers a month.

 

Channel 5 acquires the best of international drama –Under the Dome, Person of Interest, Castle, CSI, Law & Order, The Mentalist, NCIS, Wentworth Prison and Love/Hate. Aussie soaps Neighbours and Home and Away continue to delight. For sports fans Channel 5 is the terrestrial home of all England Cricket summer Internationals and regular title boxing.

 

It delivers programmes that combine creative flair and popular appeal, and continues to bring viewers a mix of smart new shows that sit alongside popular long running series such as Killers Behind Bars, Botched Up Bodies and Benidorm ER. Big Brother and Celebrity Big Brother are well established in the schedule – and stripped of any pretentiousness about “social experiments” are focused on real life entertainment. They sit alongside ratings stalwarts like The Hotel Inspector.

 

5 News Tonight debates the main topics of the day, while the channel is committed to children’s programing with their award winning strand Milkshake!. Sister channels 5* and 5USA compliment Channel 5 with a mix of must see entertainment and US Drama.

 

Demand 5 is Channel 5’s free video-on-demand service. It’s currently available on over 20 platforms and devices – smart TVs, set-top boxes, games consoles, mobiles, tablet and web – more than any other on-demand service from a commercial broadcaster in the UK. Popular Demand 5 shows include Big Brother, Neighbours, Home and Away, Peppa Pig and US dramas such as The Mentalist, Person of Interest and CSI. Since the start of the year Demand 5 has averaged 15m streams a month.

 

For all the latest about Channel 5, follow us @channel5press and @channel5_tv