From Live Aid to YouTube: Publicity with purpose still works

Forty years ago this month, Bob Geldof and Midge Ure pulled off a global music event and one of the most publicized fundraisers of the decade. Live Aid raised more than $140 million for famine relief in Ethiopia.

The dual-venue concert drew more than 1.5 billion people in 150-plus countries who watched Queen, David Bowie, Madonna and others in a marathon of performances that shattered fundraising records.

Could something like that happen today? Eh. We’re more digitally connected than ever, but more divided, too. We can barely agree on what day it is, so creating a global PR moment like that could be challenging.

But summer rivals December holidays when it comes to fundraising, especially when it’s wrapped in a bigger purpose. Which brings us to Ryan Trahan.

A popular vlogger, Trahan and his wife, Haley Pham, have raised more than $6 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through their 50 States in 50 Days trip. A well-placed partnership with Airbnb has allowed them to experience each U.S. state in ways even locals might not know. But the real impact is money that’s going to kids fighting tough pediatric health battles. Families at St. Jude never get a bill, so they can focus on helping their child live.

Could you take Trahan’s project and duplicate it for your own fundraiser? It takes time and flexibility, but if you’re driven and willing to make members of your community feel like they’re along for the ride, absolutely.

You don’t have to travel, but you do have to be bold with your message and create the kind of publicity that makes people want to donate to your cause.

Be legit. Be credible, creative and community-minded. Use Trahan’s work and Live Aid to inspire you. Helping others is never a bad thing.

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🍸 Happy National Tequila Day to all who celebrate. 🎉

Was the Coldplay craziness earlier this week a crisis, or did reactions make it a crisis? More here.

🏖️We’re headed (too fast) toward August. What will you do during the last unofficial month of summer?☀️

© 2025 Gail Sideman, gpublicity.com, SIDEbar

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