UNICEF Enlists Mophonics Artist Joey Ryan for Tap Project Radio

VENICE, CA, April 13, 2009 – Mophonics artist Joey Ryan recently participated in Tap Project Radio, a collaboration among DJ’s, musicians, celebrities, and music lovers to raise awareness and donations for UNICEF and their efforts to provide clean drinking water to the 900 million people worldwide with no access to it.

The project went live Wednesday, March 22, World Water Day, and ran throughout World Water Week (March 28). The mission of Tap Project Radio is to raise $10,000 – enough money to help 10,000 kids get 40 days of clean drinking water.

"While we consider water to be free and take it for granted, it is literally impossible for kids around the world to get it. So it makes so much sense to charge $1 for tap water at restaurants and use that money to provide water to kids who need it," said Ryan (pict., r.), whose relationship with the organization began last year, when the artist lent his music to an LA Tap Project PSA. Ryan’s music has also been used in ad campaigns for Wrigley and VISA, and he has written exclusive songs for Wendy’s, Cheerios, and Telefonica. Two of his songs, "Light On," and "No One Else Like You," were featured in the indie feature "Bella," winner of the 2006 Toronto Film Festival People’s Choice Award. Two more, "Loving You" and "As It Must Be," appeared on the hit TV show "One Tree Hill" in 2008. Ryan’s debut EP, "As It Must Be," was released by Mophonics April 7.

For Tap Project Radio, diverse playlists were chosen by various participants. The programs included interviews with David Droga, and various creative directors from participating Tap agencies, along with UNICEF celebrities, representatives and volunteers. These interviews informed listeners about the Tap Project, asking them to make a donation (via the website or "Text for Tap"), find a participating restaurant, and so forth. Throughout, DJ’s, guests and celebrities touted the Tap Project and encouraged listeners to "Text for Tap."

In addition to Ryan, and Mophonics EP Michael Frick and CD Stephan Altman, Guest DJs included: Kenna, OK GO, Dandy Warhols, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, G-Love and Special Sauce, Rilo Kiley, Ghostly Records, Schuyler Fisk, They Might Be Giants, Grand Duchy, Elijah Wood, Nic Harcourt, John Taylor from Duran Duran, Benji and Joel Madden from Good Charlotte, Craig Robinson from The Office, among others.

About Mophonics

Forward-thinking and firmly situated at the intersection of the music and advertising industries, Mophonics counts Wieden & Kennedy, BBH, TBWA/Chiat/Day, BBDO, McCann Worldgroup, and Goodby Silverstein & Partners among its agency clients and has created music-driven cobranding intiatives for Apple, Visa, Verizon, Scion, Wrigley’s, Electronic Arts, Axe, Nissan and Nike, and more. Mophonics is the only company to create an original single, "Gimme That," for an Apple iPod campaign. Artist Zeroleen’s "All Good," has been featured in "CSI: Miami," "Weeds," multiple film trailers and ad campaigns for Verizon and 24Hr Fitness; the single also received airplay on specialty radio, retail outlets, and in-flight radio. Mophonics-produced band Four Fifty One was featured on NBC’s "Friday Night Lights" and in a 4-spot Wrigley’s campaign that featured Mophonics-produced artists; the band also played a 40-gig sponsored tour for energy drink Upshot. The Mae Shi, repped by Mophonics for original compositions and sync, was a strong presence at SxSW in 2009, with placements in Rockstar Games Midnight Club LA (MCLA) and in the award-winning indie "My Suicide."