Do You Think Businesses Over-use Charities for Publicity?

[Digger Walters]

It has been said by some that some businesses use charities and special days/months/*insert time period here* that raise awareness for diseases/conditions/problems that afflict the world and don't get me wrong I'm not knocking these events... But I will say that some companies just jump on board to "look good" in the eyes of the public and to win favour to sell their product just that little bit more.... Whether it be an unsafe car company advocating for a safe driving cause... or a fast food company against obesity when they have to put the pickles on their burgers otherwise it's classified as a dessert due to the amount of sugar/sweetness in it....

*Edit* If it seems a bit confusing then that's because I'm trying to be correct without offending anyone...

[Bree Fletcher]

I think most company-driven charity efforts won't exist if there wasn't some profit involved for them. This isn't to say that every person driving this decision cares more for profit than for the cause itself; the reason is in the way that most large corporations are able to authorize their own funds for use in this way.

Even though many people, including the initiators of the idea itself, may be in it for genuinely benevolent reasons, there's still a lot of people that need to be swayed over to the cause. Although you can try to appeal to their better natures, and possibly succeed, it's a hell of a lot easier to have there be a way for the company to profit from it, even if it's just in positive public relations.

Is it a case of the ends justifying the means? Maybe, but at any rate, even though I do think companies are mostly charitable only for the publicity, I can't say that's entirely a bad thing.

[Khalee]

It's a spiral

Fast Food Company supports Anti-Obesity Campaign
Campaign raises awareness
Fast Food Company also sells a few more burgers
Result of Campaign is a slight increase in Social Awareness, so additional burgers are countered by 5mins more at the gym

If you're looking for Big Ticket support by Companies, you need to look at charity supporters like The Body Shop, who do it because they believe in community awareness etc.

If, however, you're asking whether it's hypocritical of companies using charities just to sell their goods, my response would be "does it matter?"

So long as the message is reaching, and affecting, a wider audience, increasing awareness of something that needs a strong voice in the dull roar of apathy, then I can't really see what the downside is.

[jorbaud]

Some companies do it to help boost their profits.
Some companies do it to help their communities.

[Lazzzzzzzzalicious!]

I do not believe there is ever too much charity

Every business has it's own "social responsibility" which is something that is debated by many as to how much of a requirement it should be to each business & corporation established around the world. Every businesses primary goal is to make a profit. (keeping in mind the profit is ONLY the difference between the revenue a business makes with the daily expenses it has) Every dollar a business spends on charity is a dollar not going back into the business to help expand it/take it further. Whether the intent is publicity or not, that is irrelevant.

A business that gives to charities and other things is giving back to the patrons & customers who help keep it alive. If that brings in more customers for that business, it's just a benefit.

[acer5200]

Loving the long line of 27 spambots between Khalee and jorbaud's posts.

[Lord Arumen]

Charities are businesses, whether people realize it or not. Another business helping a Charity - so long as it actually exists- gets the benefit they seek. Don't expect businesses to perform anonymous charity work. It is the symbiotic relationship between charities and other businesses.

[Fallbreeze]

Well, it would be a bit of a tax write off for the company, but by and large, it's the press that comes from being 'a business with a heart' that's the biggest plus side for the business.

I don't think the issue is so much businesses overusing charities. It's 'Do the charities overuse business' for their fundraising? I mean, anyone have any stats for how many pleas for help a business gets in a year from charitable organizations?