Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/964761
O ver the last few months, SAG-AFTRA's #AdsGoUnion commercial organizing campaign has been picking up steam. More and more SAG-AFTRA members are learning about all the ways the effort is growing union jobs and they are jumping in to help. Commercial performers have been attending regular monthly meetings in Los Angeles and New York, and quarterly meetings in the small and mid-sized locals. These gatherings help keep members informed and allow them to bring their invaluable perspectives and ideas to the campaign. Members and staff have been sitting down with talent agents, casting directors, production companies, directors and ad agencies, as well as representatives of sister unions DGA, IATSE and the Teamsters. By building strong relationships, sharing information and listening to one another's experiences and challenges, the campaign strives to help everyone in our advertising ecosystem — including members — to thrive. The union recently launched the Commercial Low Budget Digital Waiver, which is increasing union work opportunities by making it easier for producers to hire members for digital spots with budgets of $50,000 and under. This waiver is only available to ad agencies ALL UNIONS KNOW TO ... ✔ Fly union airlines ✔ Use union printers ✔ Hold events at union hotels ✔ Shoot productions with union performers and crew UNIONS SUPPORT UNIONS. Solidarity guarantees working people livable wages and helps them build sustainable careers. PC_AFL-CIO_NY_8.5x5.5_v1_FINAL.indd 1 3/13/18 2:22 PM FULL SPEED AHEAD FOR #ADSGOUNION and advertisers who commit to always using union contracts for all of their commercials. It has been a great success; in only a few months, four new digital ad agencies have signed the contract and will only be doing union commercials from now on. The campaign is also making inroads into the world of social media influencers, who are an important, fast- growing part of the entertainment and advertising industries, and who also deserve union protections and benefits. And thanks to members sending in information about non-union ads, more and more non-union spots are being turned into union commercials. Recent victories include two car commercials, a series of spots for a hotel chain, multiple spots for an insurance company and an ad for a mobile phone company. So continue to send all information on non-union commercials to SAG-AFTRA at adsgounion@sagaftra.org or call (877) 280-6705. It's completely confidential — and it really helps! Marketing materials for the #AdsGoUnion commercial organizing campaign. CLICK HERE for more on the Commercial Low Budged Digital Waiver