One of our absolute favorite events of the year is almost here: The Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Radiothon! The goal of this event is to help raise money and awareness for sick children at our local CMN hospital, MU Health Care's Children’s Hospital. This event is so important because this amazing place is committed to providing the highest quality of care for children throughout Missouri, regardless of any family’s ability to pay.
In the 17 years we've been hosting the CMN Radiothon, we've raised nearly $3.5 MILLION DOLLARS! During each year's radiothon, we raise an average of a quarter of a million dollars for MU Health Care's Children's Hospital, funds that cover the cost of needed equipment as well as the expense of treatment for the children.
To give some perspective on this achievement, consider last year’s CMN radiothons in St. Louis and Kansas City which brought in about $90,000… combined. Mid-Missouri may be considered a "small market," but we've got big hearts! We couldn't be more proud of our community for helping us achieve this!
Businesses that attach their name to this life-changing event are not only doing incredibly good work, but they are also setting themselves up for success. Here are the top ten reasons that your business should consider supporting The CMN Radiothon which will take place on February 23 & 24th, 2023.
1. You will help raise money and awareness for the kids.
It goes without saying that the most important outcome of sponsoring The CMN Radiothon is being an integral part of the money that is raised for the sick children at MU Health Care's Children’s Hospital. But just how many lives will you impact?
Well, did you know that MU Health Care's Children’s Hospital routinely admits patients from each and every county in Mid-Missouri? This ends up totaling approximately 45,000 local children each year! And the most amazing part about that? Regardless of a child’s condition, the doors to CMN Hospitals are always open! Your sponsorship will allow you to be a part of this life-changing cause!
2. You will raise brand awareness.Second in importance to the charitable aspect of this opportunity, there are several other positive outcomes that stem from sponsoring The CMN Radiothon. Now more than ever, people want to see that the brands they support are socially-conscious and are willing to fund important charitable causes. The fact is that 85% of all U.S. consumers have a more positive image of a company when they know that the business is dedicated to charitable causes. This trend is true across all age groups, particularly Millennials, who in a recent survey, showed that 67% of them are more likely to do business with companies that are charitable.
It is clear to see that businesses that tie themselves to The CMN Radiothon will create a positive brand image in the eyes of consumers, which is sure to lead to a boost in sales.
3. You will show your dedication to the community.
7. You will shine as a humble community member.
Another thing that consumers love to see from businesses is community involvement. By sponsoring The CMN Radiothon, your brand will come across as a relatable community member with whom consumers can feel a special bond. This is an especially important point if your company receives the bulk of its business from local consumers. Overall, your willingness to participate in this event will show that you are a valuable asset to the community.
4. You will be a part of one of the top radiothons in the country.Columbia and Jefferson City are technically considered “small markets;” however, we give as much or more than large markets do. In the 13 years that Zimmer has hosted the CMN Radiothon, Mid-Missouri’s generosity has brought in well over $2 million, making it one of the top radiothons in the country!
5. You will receive a wide variety of marketing opportunities.CMN Radiothon sponsors receive many marketing opportunities across multiple platforms, all within a short period of time. Your business could be included in promotional mentions, live or pre-recorded interviews, online mentions, Facebook postings, E-Blasts (newsletters), print advertisements, and/or on-air commercials. The amount of marketing opportunities, coupled with the condensed time span in which they are promoted, is sure to make your business’ name memorable and easy to recall.
6. You will be promoted to a large audience.When we say large, we mean it! The CMN Radiothon is partnered with four of our top radio stations, including Clear 99, Y107, The Eagle, and KAT Country. Not only that but this event is partnered with one of the community’s top print publications, Inside Columbia Magazine.
Combining those five properties means that there is potential for well over 293,000 people to hear and see your business’ name leading up to (and during) The CMN Radiothon.
7. You will shine as a humble community member. Of course, marketing is all about promoting yourself so that people will be intrigued and want to do business with you! However, sometimes it’s nice to be able to do some “humble promotion.” The CMN Radiothon presents businesses with this unique opportunity. Your business’ name is, of course, mentioned relentlessly throughout the event; however, given the subject matter, it is done with great humility. There is simply an understood level of respect that comes with being a CMN Radiothon sponsor.
8. You will participate in an event where every dollar stays local.Columbia is privileged to have a Children’s Miracle Network hospital right in its midst. This is something that we should never take for granted! Because of this, every dollar given during The CMN Radiothon will stay right here in Columbia! What a privilege that we can give to a hospital so close to us, then be present to witness the impact that our support has provided.
9. You will make Mid-Missouri a better place to live. By funding our local hospital responsible for providing high-quality, loving care to our neighbors, you are helping to make Missouri not only a healthier place to live but a happier place as well. That’s because events like The CMN Radiothon bring people together and produce goodwill for the community as a whole. What an incredible feeling for a business to be associated with!
10. You will receive the first right of renewal for next year’s CMN Radiothon.Most businesses discover that once they are a part of The CMN Radiothon one time, they are ready to be involved again the following year. That is why we give sponsors the exclusive opportunity to renew their contract for the following year before we open up the sponsorship opportunity to the general public.
Because of the amazing reputation that The CMN Radiothon has in our community, these sponsorships will not last long!
But...we can't do it without you! If your business wants to make miracles happen with the Annual Miracles for Kids Radiothon, contact Zimmer Communications today. Be part of this life-saving mission by clicking the link below. We'll follow up with details to help you find the best way to participate for you and your business.
Editor's Note - Content updated for freshness and accuracy 1-19-23