I love Christmastime! There's classic music like Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer, time with friends and family (minus grandma), lots of delicious baked goods from my wife and, yes, presents!
I've already gotten some great gifts: five cause marketing promotions that keep me believing in the spirit of giving that happens when company and cause work together.
Macy's 'Believe' Campaign to Benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation
In its fourth year, Macy's 'Believe' campaign will donate $1 (up to $1 million) for each letter to Santa mailed at its stores. Macy's doubled their donation for National Believe Day on December 9th. They even have a Believe-o-Matic app that kids can use to make their own Christmas cards.
I like this campaign because it's a long term commitment to Make-A-Wish, has tons of different features to it and has a slick website. Check it out. It. Is. Awesome. Finally, we have a big retail chain that's sticking its flag in the ground and saying MERRY CHRISTMAS instead of happy holidays. Good for them. That being said, Happy Hanukkah and Kwanzaa!
After a successful campaign last year with Holiday Heroes, Radio Shack is back with 'So Right' holiday promotion this month. For each badge earned, RadioShack will donate $1 to LIVESTRONG, the cancer charity founded by Radio Shack spokesman Lance Armstrong. Since 2009, Radio Shack has donated $7 million to LIVESTRONG.
Kudos to Radio Shack for using Foursquare in a signature holiday campaign!
I get a kick out of this one. As part of Great Wolf Lodge's annual Snowland winter event, guests can enjoy a meal inside a life-size gingerbread hsouse through December 25! Each house took over 400 hours to complete. $20 will be added to each party's bill and donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Will this experiential promotion raise the most money? No. Will every family remember the experience and the cause it supports. Absolutely. That's worth something in a world where most houses (i.e. promotions) look the same.
This is my digital pick for the holiday season. Smartphone toting shoppers in New York and San Francisco can scan QR codes displayed on holiday windows to trigger a donation to Toys for Tots. Consumers can also visit Facebook to build a toy. Both unlock a $1 donation - up to $50,000.
Take a good look at this QR code campaign. You'll see a lot more of them in 2012!
This is a great program that deserves more attention. Trees for Troops brings together FedEx, the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation and tree farmers across America to transport thousands of real Christmas trees to service members stationed overseas, as well as on military bases in the U.S. On average FedEx has delivered 17,000 trees annually. This year they hope to deliver their 100,000 tree since 2005.
Here's another great program FedEx is quietly supporting: Wreaths Across America. Supporters of this program are laying 400,000 wreaths at veterans' graves in all 50 states. FedEx Ground provides both in-kind delivery for the wreaths, as well as volunteers to support the events nationwide.
To FedEx and our soldiers, we salute you this holiday season.
These cause promotions top my Christmas list. What's at the top of yours?