Publicis launches campaign to raise money for €1bn Notre Dame restoration
Publicis Conseil has pulled together its resources to develop an international campaign to raise funds for the rebuilding of the Notre Dame Cathedral.
Last week, the world watched in disbelief as photos emerged of Paris' crowning glory burning to the ground. Although the damage could have been a lot worse, the full repair for the roof and spire will cost over €1bn (£870m) to restore it back to its former self.
With the French government announcing it would only be donating €40m (£35m), donations poured in from across the globe from billionaires, corporations and ordinary citizens to ensure the costly restoration work gets done.
Through its chairman, Maurice Levy who is highly connected within the French Government, entertainment world and advertising sector, Publicis Conseil has stepped forward to lead the campaign development following the fire.
Adding to the long list of corporate donors, the international campaign will raise money for the Fondation du Patrimoine who are rebuilding the cathedral.
The 'Parce que c'est Notre Damn' (Because it's Notre Dame) campaign asks the general public to make either €1 or €5 donations.
It has partnered with Metrobus on the campaign, who has provided screens for it to be aired in the Parisian subway.
The French outdoor advertising company, JCDeacaux has also provided free provision of ad spaces for national and global fundraising initiative, alongside donating €20m (£17.35m), as well
As a result of a number of Billionaire tycoons, the Notre Dame fund set up to rebuild the cathedral is now set to reach €1bn.
Donations include €100m (£87m) from the owner of Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent Francois-Henri Pinault, €200m (£174m) from Louis Vuitton Arnault family and €200m (£174m) from the Bettencourt Meyers family who own L'Oreal.
The readiness to come to the aid of a non-animate building has been widely criticised in the press as the fund has raised more money than any humanitarian disaster, with many questioning why the refugee crisis or the horrific Grenfell Tower fire did not receive anything like the same degree of support.