Smiley Teams With United We Stream on Exclusive Fundraiser Range

The Smiley Company - May 2020

United We Stream the new streaming platform broadcasting home-grown Manchester art, music and culture to audiences around the world during the global pandemic, has teamed up with Smiley and Plan B agency to drop an exclusive limited edition hoodie and tee shirt available exclusively through the United We Stream platform.

The tee shirt features the iconic Smiley alongside the Manchester bee and is accompanied by the slogan “Manchester, Don’t Worry Bee Happy”.

Matt Winton, Head of Partnerships at Smiley said “This is a hugely important project to Smiley, as we focus on spreading good news against the backdrop of relentlessly negative news in the world today. Smiley has a unique relationship with Manchester and its music scene and we have designed a capsule that pays homage to that and the great spirit of this iconic city”.

All proceeds from the range will go directly to a relief fund, with 70% going specifically to support the Greater Manchester night-time economy including music venues, bars, freelancers and cultural organisations whose work has been halted by the pandemic. 20% of the donated funds will also be going to the Mayor of Greater Manchester’s charities and 10% donated to Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy Charity.

The whole project has been masterminded by Sacha Lord, GMCA Night-Time Economy Adviser, who said: “I want to keep our vibrant Manchester music and entertainment scene active and I have been absolutely overwhelmed by the response and enthusiasm for the project, as well as the amazing diversity of the talent we have lined up for our program of events.”

UWS has raised £340,000 to date, since the project launched at the beginning of April 2020.