KFC's Misguided Attempt At Eco-Friendly Change When a fast-food chain like KFC says that it is opening an eco-friendly restaurant, our ears perk up. Is the fried chicken vendor offering pesticide-free salads along with hormone antibiotic*-free chicken? Perhaps it's silly to assume that a food company would work first on making its food supply more "eco-friendly." Instead, KFC is opening a store in Indianapolis that will feature waste recycling, reduced use of foam, LED lighting, locally sourced building materials, and parking preference for hybrid vehicles. These are positive developments; any time a large chain starts experimenting with LEED certified buildings, the planet benefits. But some of these things should have been implemented long ago. This is not an impossible demand. So yes, it makes sense to test out LEED buildings, if for no other reason than that they will save on energy costs. *Correction: You can't buy chicken in America that isn't hormone free. [Photo by Mike Saechang]
The Laughing Cow Does Cause Marketing, Building Email Lists, & Social Media in One Great Promotion I was watching TV the other day (as I do) and saw this great commercial for The Laughing Cow cheese. First of all, I eat the stuff. It’s a great low calorie snack. They’re trying to get to $500,000 for the donations, but reading between the lines, they’re trying to sell 500,000 items. I thought it was a clever idea so I had to try it out. I went to the Laughing Cow site and their offer was pretty prominent, front and center. I clicked through to input my UPC code and there was a nice explanation of what they’re trying to do, along with a counter of how much they’ve received so far. I entered the UPC code on the back of the packaging and got the following screen. Great idea for building an email list. After I donated, I got the following screen thanking me. The great thing about this screen is it’s asking me to either email my friends, post it to Facebook or post it to Twitter. When I went back a few minutes later the ticker had changed to 2951. My only riff on this?
Snickers, Twix Launch Consumer Promotions - Candy & Snacks NEW YORK -- For the third year in a row, the Snickers brand is joining forces with Feeding America to "Bar Hunger" -- a cause-related campaign to help the one in six Americans struggling with hunger. Snickers established a set donation of 2.5 million meals to Feeding America. To engage consumers in the campaign and increase the commitment to up to 3.5 million total meals, Snickers will donate an additional two meals to Feeding America – up to a maximum of 1 million meals – for every UPC code entered online at www.snickers.com or via text message to 45495. Specially marked packaging will be on shelves May through October. To support the campaign and create favorable brand differentiation through cause-related marketing, Snickers will implement a fully integrated communications campaign to educate consumers about hunger and show the brand’s commitment to the cause.
Top 10 Cause Marketing Campaigns of 2010? 2010 was a big year for cause marketing. More and more campaigns are springing up with new ideas for engaging participants and facilitating change. Which campaigns piqued your interest this past year? Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October) Advocates have done a fantastic job of pushing breast cancer awareness and support to the top of the growing heap of causes. Pepsi Refresh In 2009, Pepsi passed on a Super Bowl ad in order to concentrate on launching this campaign. Dawn Saves Wildlife This longstanding campaign is enough to make you believe in premonitions. American Express During the most materialistic time of year, Small Business Saturday captured the minds and hearts of consumers and carved out a profit for small businesses during the biggest holiday selling season since before the recession. Pureit/Unilever Sustainability Unilever aims to use Pureit to bring clean drinking water to 500 million people and make a profit. So what do you think of the list?
coneinc When it comes to CSR, purpose begins the journey – but return is the destination. Prove Your Purpose is your source for need-to-know CSR news and insights, driving strategy beyond purpose to deliver tangible results. The Cause Marketing Forum celebrated its 10th anniversary this week, as more than 500 corporate, nonprofit and agency practitioners came together in Chicago to share insights and best practices. The issues and industries were diverse, but a few key themes rang true for all: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Stay tuned to www.causemarketingforum.com for more from the Cause Marketing Forum's annual conference.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month NFL Campaign Gives Just 5% To Charity They’re big and burly and knock people down to the ground for a living. But during October, NFL players flaunt their feminine sides by sporting pink equipment that they also sell to raise funds for breast cancer charities. A whole whopping 5 percent from each purchase gets donated. Throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the NFL auctions off sweaty girly-hued gear worn during games and also offers fans loads of unworn jerseys and such to buy online. The NFL confirmed, however, that it doesn’t make a profit from the leftover proceeds. While the NFL isn’t so self-serving as to rake in dough off the goodwill of cancer supporters, some may still take issue with the fact that so much money is getting poured into awareness campaigns and not into actual hard science. Some breast cancer advocates have grown frustrated with the way supporters simply slap a pink ribbon or label on clothing and products every October as a means to fight breast cancer. Loading Slideshow Related on HuffPost:
10 Brands Leading the Way in Sandy Relief Efforts As residents and business owners assess the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy, there’s a realization setting in that it will take plenty of time for things to return to normal. With relief efforts under way, many corporations are stepping up and using their brand power to help assist those affected by the storm. We’ve compiled this alphabetical list of 10 organizations that are rising to the occasion. Bank of America: The Bank of America Charitable Foundation will donate $1 million to support relief efforts, including $500,000 to the American Red Cross Hurricane 2012 fund. As relief efforts evolve in the coming weeks, the remaining $500,000 will be directed to national, regional and local nonprofits to support long-term recovery needs. BNY Mellon: Bank of New York Mellon Corp. pledged at least $1 million to relief efforts. Chevrolet: Chevy has donated 50 Silverado pickups and Express cargo vans to the Red Cross. CVS: CVS Caremark will donate more than $100,000 to the Red Cross.
Cause Marketing | Holiday Promotions CompanyOur ApproachServicesAbout Cause MarketingClientsContactBlog Cause Marketing FOCUS > You're busy. Our blog, Cause Marketing FOCUS, helps you cut through the rhetoric and focus on the practical tips and ideas that can fuel your growth. Holiday Cause Marketing Brings Cheers, Jeers Posted by: Joe Waters on 12/26/2012 Cause Marketing | Holiday Promotions Several of the holiday cause promotions I've seen this year offer as much education on cause marketing as they do inspiration on why the holiday season should be part of every cause marketer's marketing plan. NYC Hotel Partners with City Harvest for Gingerbread Creation Contest Cheer: Norma's restaurant in The Parker Meridien in New York City is known for its sumptuous brunch with menu items such as Irresistible Banana-Macadamia Nut Flap Jacks with Whipped Banana Brown Sugar Butter. Supermarket Chain Donates Meals to Food Banks with Hashtag Campaign Montblanc Supports Texas Children's Cancer Center with Bracelet « Blog Home Categories: 1. 1.
How We Can Make a $358 Million Success Story Even Better Photo via 401(k) 2013 I bet being asked to donate at the register of your local store isn’t your favorite way to give. But your contribution to a valuable program that raises hundreds of millions of dollars ($358 million to be exact, according to this report from Cause Marketing Forum) for nonprofits is undeniably positive. But the chasm between the success of these programs and their unpopularity with consumers persists. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be that way. Here are six ways to make sure shoppers aren’t put-off by your next checkout program. Walk the walk. If you’re really committed to supporting a charity with a checkout program, don’t just go through the motions. Keep it simple – for everyone. Avoid fatigue. Add perks for shoppers. Incentivize cashiers. Try a passive program. What do you think of pinups and checkout charity?