Cause Readings of the Week - February 28

Some good cause marketing information ran the last week. Here’s the best of the best.


This is a great case study ... how the Belleville (IL) Farmers Market combined e-mail marketing and cause marketing to survive and grow. Some really good stuff here that your non-profit could use. And, shows how retailers can benefit by connecting with local causes. Cause Marketing: Consumer marketer builds email list with 20% conversion rate. http://bit.ly/hSqFiL

Here is a neat story on how local businesses (in Charlotte, NC) are using cause marketing (with local causes) to connect with consumers. These offer some good ideas for local causes to connect with local businesses. http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/02/23/2073672/small-businesses-turning-to-more.html


It’s not too late to link with causes/retailers to help unemployed workers.
Here’s an example of a Michigan-area drycleaner’s way to help. (Note: they also help regarding recycled Prom dresses which is another popular cause campaign.) http://www.janetdaviscleaners.com/

Food Bank Bags $15k with Cause Marketing, Social Media. Another example of national brands/charities engaging in local cause marketing. http://www.care2.com/causes/trailblazers/blog/food-bank-bags-15k-with-cause-marketing-social-media/


From Fast Company: What Brands Must Do Now to Engage Their Customer Communities. http://www.fastcompany.com/1730942/what-brands-must-do-now-to-engage-their-customer-communities


The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Online Cause Marketing.
As presented on the Cause Marketing Forum’s master series. http://geofflivingston.com/tag/cause-marketing-forum/
Success Factors for Cause-Related Marketing http://smallbusiness.chron.com/success-factors-cause-related-marketing-2804.html


Ok Cure Compact Crampomitosis is a “cute” cause marketing campaign … although it is hard to see the connection between cars and the arts. http://bit.ly/gtjFKe