While some consider the popular PR campaign for breast cancer awareness to be hurtful, and other major restaurant chains have been taken to task for their campaign even though partnering with the Komen Foundation, there are plenty of examples of companies and organizations, big and small, looking to make an impact (how you can watch the NFL in October and not notice?) But what if some are exploiting the PR and selfishly capitalizing on the bandwagon. Which is it? How do you spot an authentic charitable giving campaign vs. a phoney PR stunt to gain attention behind the guise of charity?
These are difficult questions to answer – here’s an article I wrote for AMEX OPEN FORUM a couple of years ago, “Charitable Giving Offers Likability in Your Marketing Strategy“.
I’ll point to a few I found in a Twitter search I did yesterday. I cannot testify to the authenticity of any of these groups – they are simply chosen from my Twitter search on the topic. You can also know that some take the topic of breast cancer to a level that might make some uncomfortable (risque references to female body parts can attract attention I suppose), so you might find some of the t-shirts or campaign slogans to be offensive. I apologize if they are.
Here are a few I found:
- Puma will donate $1(up to $25k) to #breastcancer charity each time #projectpink hashtag is used until 10/18 http://is.gd/fMMtD
- Surrey Eagles Junior ‘A’ Hockey Club’ Pink in the Rink Night – Oct. 22nd. A special night to support the fight against breast cancer. http://fb.me/J0BKt55p
- Sophie Monk To Host Fashion Show For Breast Cancer Charities http://bit.ly/cTR0H1
- Beards for Breast Cancer – #b4bc http://twitpic.com/2wtoow
- 20% off all Pink Pearl Jewelry http://demayorca.blogspot.com/
- Support Breast Cancer – add a Twibbon http://twibbon.com/join/breast-cancer-survivors
- Help raise awareness. Join the battle. Breast Cancer Awareness T-shirts from Zazzle.com: http://bit.ly/bZGNgm
- the Men of Music are raising support for Breast Cancer Awareness!… http://fb.me/GaB2E80t
- Avon’s new ‘Kiss Breast Cancer Goodbye’ campaign – For more information – visit… http://fb.me/L5wx7WKx
- This Sat., Oct. 16, get a $10 haircut during our @Clip4the Cure event and support breast cancer research. http://www.fiestasalons.com
- ‘CHI 1” Breast Cancer Awareness Flat Iron with Bag by Farouk’ by CHI http://amzn.to/9K7fDd
- Dogtopia in Waco is planning to pamper prim dogs throughout the month of October with 10% of the proceeds being donated to Koman of the Cure
- Sublime Bakery is promoting the cause as one of many Fort Worth retailers selling t-shirts
- City of Fort Worth promotes “Care Enough to Wear Pink“
How do you feel about nationwide PR “awareness” campaigns for such causes? Helpful or hurtful? Post your comment to our Facebook discussion forum – click here to go directly to the forum (must be logged in to Facebook).