Please help me out, DU Loungers!

Whether you like sex, talking or crying during sex, playing Rick Astley during sex....or whatever else being discussed this morning. :rofl:

Serious question (I know, I know...that's such a pain in the ass B-) ):

This is a business-related question that I've had for years and years. I placed a poll on Facebook (how cool that you can even DO that!) asking the same question.

As a consumer, I have always wished there was a broad-ranging, mainstream brand that is known for being as socially responsible as possible (not perfect - I'm not a purist - just truly doing their best environmentally, socially, philanthropically, etc.). When I need to buy a tangible gift - rather than gifting someone through a nonprofit by donating in their name - I really wish there was a brand that covered a wide variety of products that I could feel good about purchasing. Not just a one-product-being-sold-to-raise-money-for-this-or-that-issue" thing, but the entire BRAND being known for philanthropy and cause marketing.

I know there are websites and catalogs that specialize in this, but again, I'm talking about a retail, storefront source for the average consumer (Target, for example).

I'm actually thinking more about the consumer here...empowering the consumer in their choices...as well as raising funds and awareness for various causes and issues through this brand.

FINALLY, here's the actual question (but I wanted to give background):

As a consumer, would you be drawn to a brand associated with cause-related marketing, assuming that all other parameters are equal (cost, quality, legitimacy, etc.)?

I'm finding that lots of people have no interest in this whatsoever and I'm baffled. I've been researching and pondering this for years (no, I don't have much of a life) and just can't grasp why such a brand isn't available.

Let me pre-empt those who are against all consumerism by saying that, yes, in a perfect world, I agree. But, for now, I'm trying to think of ways to at least go in the right direction.

I've been specifically focused on the publishing industry of late...trying to see if any large publishers have an imprint with such a focus (only offering books which raise funds and awareness about various causes, and letting the consumer KNOW the purchase of this books raises $ for...), but haven't found anything. I understand it's rough everywhere and profit margins are the first priority, but I've always felt that, if marketed correctly, this could be a profitable approach, as well as socially responsible.

Can you share your wisdom and thoughts, pleeeeeeeeez?

Thanks :hi:

P.S. It took me forever to complete this post, so the sex threads and Rick Astley threads may already be gone...lol.

Also, are Matcom and DS1 the Lounge perverts or something? :shrug: :) I'm afraid to respond to my other thread...lol.

As far as consumer goods, I do a lot of shopping at Gaiam, who have fair-trade and ecofriendly goods. Not a storefront, I know, but we also have a Green Living in our town, so I nip over there and purchase things from time to time.

I guess to me, purchasing green, fair trade, and organic products actually *is* cause-related purchasing. I can make those choices in a wide variety of places. Hell, I was at the 99 Cents Only store last night and bought a whole bunch of organic chickpeas. So I'm not sure of the need to go beyond that? Maybe I'm not getting it yet, could you give a specific example?

I agree with what you said about purchasing green, fair trade, and organic products being cause related. Absolutely. So, as a consumer, it's wonderful we have more and more of these options nowadays.

There are retailers who do great work (Whole Foods, for example), and as a consumer I feel comfortable shopping there. For example, I feel comfortable buying their generic vitamins and supplements because I trust they've done the background work to ensure it's safe, effective, etc.

Of course, these retailers offer a variety of products from various manufacturers, various brands, and that's where my question comes into play.

What I would like is to also be able to shop for things I can't get (or can't afford) at Whole Foods...more gift-oriented items (toys, books, candles, for example)...and for there to be one manufacturer - a certain brand - that I can feel comfortable buying that offers a variety of items.

So, if I'm at Target or Barnes & Noble, for example, there would be a certain display/section for this brand, and I know everything offered from this brand I can be comfortable buying because I know what this brand stands for and that my purchase is going towards the greater good (I know it's cliche, but hopefully you know what I'm saying).

Kind of like Newman's Own - I feel comfortable buying anything from that brand - but they only deal with food products thus far. And I specifically started buying from Newman's Own BECAUSE of the philanthropy...it just turned out that their products are really, really good, too.

Hopefully that clarifies things a bit.

Thanks for responding.


:)

edited stupid typo

Mass as in Catholic masses?

Sorry, I'm so slow. My brain power has been sucked dry from being in GD and GD/P too long the last few days.

:-(

Good way to ferret out the unbelievers in your circle.

Everyone saying they're interested in cause-related marketing brands are females; all the males have responded that they have no interest - they buy the product for the product and don't care about any philanthropic aspect.