Nickelback Presents AI with Check from Song Sales
"One thing is clear: 'If everyone cared' like Nickelback, the world would be a better place," said Larry Cox, Executive Director for Amnesty International USA. "It is inspiring and deeply moving to see the band, their label, distributor and publisher use their tremendous commercial success as a vehicle for activism and change. We laud their vision of a world ruled by human rights, and are honored to be one of the recipients of this great gift."
Multi-platinum rock band Nickelback, along with Roadrunner Records, WEA Corp. and Warner/Chappell Music were in New York City on Friday, February 1st to present checks totaling close to $600,000 to Amnesty International and International Children's Awareness Canada (a charity the band has supported for several years). Donations were split equally between the two organizations during a ceremony held at Amnesty International's New York headquarters.
On February 1, 2007, Nickelback along with the aforementioned partners announced a charity initiative to donate 100% of the proceeds from the digital sales of the single and video for "If Everyone Cared" to charity. "If Everyone Cared" is featured on Nickelback's seven-times platinum album All The Right Reasons. The video for "If Everyone Cared" illuminates the profound impact made when one individual incites change for the betterment of the world. Inter-cut between an intimate Nickelback performance and historical images, the video tells the stories of four ordinary people who have done extraordinary things for humanity: Bob Geldolf (Live Aid), Nelson Mandela, Peter Benenson (founder of Amnesty International) and Betty Williams (World Centers of Compassion for Children International). Both the song and video reached #1 at Hot A/C and Vh-1, respectively.
Nickelback guitarist Ryan Peake commented, "We, as a group, never forget that we live in a fortunate situation in an imperfect world. Bringing attention to ICA and Amnesty just may inspire others to help people without basic needs or simple human rights that we enjoy without question. When you see the results of organizations like these, it's hard not to believe in positive change."