Here are a few other interesting news items that underscore the impact of cause related marketing (from the Cause Marketing Forum).

Product (RED) recently announced that it had hit the $50 million mark in funds generated by the sales of (RED)-licensed products and contributed to fight AIDS in Africa.

In the eleven years after its launch, the General Mills Box Tops for Education program has engaged over 90,000 K-8 schools in raising funds by sending in Box Top coupons worth 10 cents each. The program stands out in terms of transparency thanks to its simple 10 cents per box top metric and the clarity with which the programs other fundraising options (online shopping and book clubs) are explained.

Paul Newman and the Newman’s Own Foundation donate all profits and royalties after taxes to educational and charitable purposes. This has amounted to over $200 million to thousands of charities since 1982.

I wonder when more Canadian brands will demonstrate this degree of commitment to a cause? Importantly, genuine commitment also delivers the authenticity that is needed to overcome skepticism from consumers.

I believe business purpose + social purpose = more meaning at a consumer level. And, with an increasing “genericness” to products and services, more meaning means more differentiation, and more differentiation translates into more sales.