our social responsibility
My Journey in Making a Difference
At Content Box®, our commitment to social responsibility is deeply rooted in my personal journey and professional experiences.
We believe in social responsibility and the power of communication not just to drive business success, but also to create positive change in the world. Our dedication to giving back and embracing social responsibility is woven into the fabric of everything we do.
Through our social responsibility programs, we strive to empower communities, promote education, ensuring that our success as a business enhances the well-being of others.
Each project reflects our deep commitment to designing a brighter, informed future—not just for our clients, but for society at large.
Help us in our mission to make a difference!
Building a Brighter and More Informed Future
My passion for education began with my teaching experience in rural Thailand, in the late 80’s, where I first embraced the complexities of language, learning, and cultural exchange.
This experience sparked my lifelong interest about how communication bridges diverse cultures and enriches lives. Following this initial experience, I travelled to Japan to teach English, and then to rural Vietnam in the early 90’s as a teacher trainer on an Australian Government aid project.
Upon returning to Australia, I worked with migrants, refugees, and newly arrived speakers from non-English speaking backgrounds, facilitating their integration through general English, academic, and English for Work programs into their new lives in Sydney.
During this time, my fascination with the power of communication and education to cross cultural boundaries continued to grow.
Expanding Horizons
Transitioning into marketing and business development, I found myself working with TAFE NSW and the University of Sydney, promoting educational initiatives across Asia, the US, and Scandinavia.
My 3 year tenure in Hong Kong further solidified my role as an educational bridge-builder, where I trained English teachers for TAFE NSW in China and taught English and literacy in schools across Hong Kong.
After a substantial period abroad, including five years in Tokyo and another five in Shanghai where I founded Studio Marque, a marketing and design agency supporting foreign business operating in China, I returned to Australia.
Here, I purchased and managed a Kwik Kopy printing franchise for eight years before launching Content Box in 2018.
These experiences, coupled with my deep empathy for those facing adversity, has been foundational in forming my commitment to giving back and shaped my understanding of, and dedication to, educational and social empowerment.
Our Social Responsibility Projects
Here are just some of the key projects that demonstrate our commitment to giving back to communities.
Follow the Journey: Our Stories, Our Lives in Cambodia
Project Overview
A book of empowerment and inspiration, Follow the Journey is a distinctive 2 year project we undertook in collaboration with Empowering Youth in Cambodia (EYC), based in Phnom Penh. The project set out to capture and celebrate the profound stories of students and teachers associated with EYC and the communities in which they live.
The goal was to create a high-quality, hardcover coffee table book that not only documented the transformative journey of EYC from its inception but also served as a token of appreciation for donors and corporate sponsors.
Activities
- Story Collection: Our team with the EYC team, engaged with students and their communities on the ground in Cambodia to gather their inspiring stories. These narratives highlighted personal growth, challenges overcome, and the educational impact of EYC.
- Photography: An EYC professional photographer captured compelling images that vividly brought the stories to life, adding a visual depth to the narratives.
- Writing and Editing: Our writers transformed interview notes and recordings into beautifully crafted stories. Poignant quotes were carefully selected to be interspersed throughout the book.
- Design and Layout: Our design team meticulously crafted the layout of the book, capturing the essence of Cambodian art and culture throughout.
- Printing and Distribution: The initial copies of the book were printed in Australia and shipped to Phnom Penh for distribution to key donors and sponsors across the world.
Impact
The result of this extensive collaboration was Follow the Journey: Our Stories, Our Lives, a stunning coffee table book that elegantly showcases the real-life impact of educational empowerment through EYC.
The books have been used effectively to thank existing donors and attract new sponsors, providing them with a tangible representation of their contributions to EYC's mission.
This initiative not only helped raise awareness of EYC's vital work but also reinforced the value of storytelling in building community and fostering philanthropy.
Through projects like these, we are able to demonstrate our capability to deliver impactful and visually captivating content that resonates with a wide audience.
Today, production of this book is managed locally by EYC and their partners.
Educational Empowerment with EYC, Cambodia
Project Overview
In collaboration with EYC, we took another significant step towards enhancing education in underserved communities of Phnom Penh.
Recognising the need for accessible educational materials, we initiated the establishment of picture book libraries across five local EYC schools.
Activities and Impact
- Resource Collection: We organised a campaign across Sydney to gather educational books and picture books from local schools in Sydney, which were then categorised and shipped to Cambodia.
- Teacher Training: Our team conducted workshops for local EYC educators, focusing on effective resource utilisation and establishing a sustainable borrowing system.
- Ongoing Support: Beyond the initial setup, we engaged with the schools to ensure the longevity and success of the libraries, making adjustments and additions as needed.
This project not only improved access to educational resources but also empowered EYC teachers and students by providing tools that foster a conducive learning environment.
This program ran over 2-3 years with the initial set up in the first year and the building and distribution of resources over the following years.
This program is now maintained and managed locally by the EYC team.
Branding for Shanghai Melbourne Cup Fundraising Event, China
Project Overview
We were tasked with the creative and branding direction for the Shanghai Melbourne Cup events from 2007-2010, held by the Australian Women's Group in Shanghai.
This event was one of the largest annual fundraisers, attracting a wide audience to support various charities across China.
Activities and Impact
- Event Branding: Development of all visual and promotional materials, ensuring that each element of the event echoed the excitement of the Melbourne Cup while emphasising the philanthropic goals.
- Fundraising Enhancement: Through strategic marketing and compelling storytelling, our branding efforts significantly boosted attendee engagement and charitable donations.
- Charity Support: Funds raised supported vital organisations such as Operation Smile and Heart to Heart Shanghai, contributing to health and welfare projects in China.
Our involvement showcased how targeted creative strategies can substantially enhance the effectiveness of fundraising events and deliver social impact.
Educational Recovery, Sichuan, China
Project Overview
In the wake of the devastating earthquake in Sichuan, China, in collaboration with BlueScope Steel and Western International School of Shanghai (WISS), we supported a project aimed at aiding recovery efforts through educational support.
In an area located 50km from the epicentre, BlueScope Steel installed demountable classrooms to quickly reestablish a learning environment. Understanding the acute shortage of basic school supplies in the earthquake-affected area, we launched a resource collection drive in conjunction with the WISS community.
Activities and Impact
- Resource Collection: Essential items such as pencils, pens, books, paper, chalk, dusters, rulers, erasers, grid paper, lined paper, and notebooks were gathered. These resources, commonplace in classrooms in Australia, were desperately needed in the rural area of Sichuan.
- Delivery and Distribution: We travelled to the affected area to deliver the resources. This direct involvement allowed us to meet with the students, teachers, and local educational authorities, ensuring that the aid reached those who needed it most.
- Local Engagement: We engaged with local school communities who were eager to accelerate educational activities to help children overcome the trauma of the earthquake and reintroduce a sense of normalcy to their lives.
- Ongoing Support: Through a partner school initiative led by WISS, ongoing support was established to ensure that the newly equipped classrooms were just the beginning of a sustained effort. This partnership aimed to provide continual educational and emotional support to the students and teachers affected by the tragedy.
The earthquake restoration project in Sichuan was a profound example of how strategic collaborations and community-focused initiatives can significantly impact disaster recovery efforts.
This project not only addressed immediate needs but also demonstrated our commitment to long-term support and resilience building, reflecting our mission to contribute positively and meaningfully to communities in need.
Supporting Animal Welfare with SAFE Rehoming, Sydney
Project Overview
Our support of SAFE Rehoming in Sydney involves a multifaceted approach to supporting animal welfare, focusing on both direct action and professional services.
Activities and Impact
- Volunteering at Shelters: Our team members regularly volunteer at SAFE’s cat shelter, providing care and helping with daily operations.
- Professional Services Donation: Each year, we donate our design and printing services for SAFE's annual reports, aiding in their communication and fundraising efforts.
- Foster Care for Neonatal Kittens: Several of our staff have served as foster families for kittens requiring intensive care, preparing them for adoption and healthy lives.
Through these actions, we help enhance the visibility and operational capacity of SAFE, directly contributing to better outcomes for animals.
This project is ongoing.
Commitment to Community in the Philippines
We consciously choose to base our creative team in the Philippines, often in rural areas.
By providing stable jobs and ongoing training, we help uplift not only our employees but also their families and communities. Along with competitive wages and benefits, this significantly contributes to local economies.
This demonstrates our commitment to fostering global talent and underscores our belief in the positive ripple effects of thoughtful employment practices.
Our Unique Perspective for Your Marketing
As a business, we stand apart in the marketing landscape by blending our unique global insights with a steadfast commitment to social responsibility. Each of our projects is a testament to our capability to deliver professional excellence while making a tangible difference in the community.
Our work is not just about meeting business objectives; it’s about creating a positive impact that resonates across communities and cultures.
We invite you to join us in this mission and benefit from marketing solutions that are globally informed and socially conscious, helping to build a brighter, more informed future for everyone.