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Responsible Marketing LinkedIn group is heating up

Did you know there’s a Responsible Marketing Group on LinkedIn? Yep, it currently has an international membership of 866 members, and the conversation has recently heated up recently. Check out a great conversation we’re having about Denny’s Maple Bacon Sundae, and feel free to join us as we discuss where commerce and conscience collide and/or [...]

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So tasty: Schweddy Balls Ice Cream

Ben and Jerry’s has announced a new limited edition batch of ice cream, “Schweddy Balls.” For the uninitiated, here’s the SNL skit it’s based upon: It’s funny. Really, really funny. Surely some people will be offended, right? Of course. Some people will are offended when you say “darn,” too. I’d argue “Schweddy Balls” is responsible. [...]

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Another recycling award for Outsource Marketing

We’re proud to receive recognition as a King County’s Best Workplace for Recycling and Waste Reduction once again this year. We are honored to join five other Issaquah businesses that were recognized for their sustainable efforts including  The City of Issaquah, The Issaquah School District, Timber Ridge at Talus, Rowley Properties, and Pogacha. This marks the fifth [...]

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What’s your sustainability grade?

The following post was written by Jillian Ranney, an intern at Outsource Marketing. I recently discovered The College Sustainability Report Card, a website that grades the sustainability efforts of universities and colleges across the US and Canada. I’m talking a true-blue report card here. Much to my delight, I was able to find my alma [...]

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Outsource Marketing receives recycling award for fourth consecutive year

Each year, King County recognizes organizations that have made recycling and waste reduction a priority, so we’re honored to make the “Best Workplace for Recycling and Waste Reduction” list once again this year. Instead of us telling you how, here’s an excerpt from the webpage listing this year’s recipients: Outsource Marketing is a fourth-year Best [...]

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Can Responsible Marketing help fix BP?

The live streaming video of the oil spill turns my stomach, so I’ve been struggling with this question for weeks: “Can Responsible Marketing help restore BP?” My gut says “never!” but my brain says “maybe.” The fact is, trust requires both competence and character—two things BP lacks. I know it’s early to ask, but if BP [...]

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BP combating bad press with paid search

Search for “oil spill” on Google and you’ll get this: Click here to enlarge On Bing you’ll get: British Petroleum · www.BP.com/GulfOfMexicoResponse Get Info about the Gulf of Mexico Response Today Yahoo: BP – Info about the Gulf of Mexico Spill Learn More about How BP is Helping. www.bp.com/gulfofmexicoresponse Normally, I’d say this is Responsible [...]

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Motivation? Try purpose instead of money

The carrot or the stick? Neither. Research has shown that for knowledge workers, using money as an incentive actually hurts performance. You read that right. If you want your team to really shine, give them a purpose: View on YouTube We’ve been talking about the marketing benefits of adding purpose to an organization since the [...]

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Apple puts social responsibility up front

Anyone interested in the Apple iPad has no doubt been to the Apple homepage lately and discovered this nice surprise bottom-center: That’s right. At a time when Apple could be cross-selling any number of their new offerings, they are using one of the four sandboxes on their homepage to share their supplier responsibility practices. You [...]

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Call us small minded

We believe small things can have a big difference. That’s why printing on used paper and offering our guests a ‘glass’ of water, not a bottle, are all part of Outsource Marketing’s Green Pact. This year Outsource Marketing is pleased to once again receive the award for Best Workplaces for Recycling and Waste Reduction 2009 [...]

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Outsource Marketing 2.0 coming soon

Join us as we unveil our new look and see what it means for us, our clients and ultimately, our world. Pam Mauk, Executive Director of Family Resource Center will share some of the important work they’re doing to support 18 charities that provide essential human services on the Eastside. Wednesday, September 9, 2009 Doors [...]

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Walmart’s sustainability efforts impress

Like a lot of people, I’ve had my doubts about Walmart‘s sincerity when they’ve talked about sustainability. No matter their green claims, I can’t get past the fact they sell more cheap stuff from China than anyone. In contrast, Patagonia is a poster child for sustainable business. Given the above, the following interview with Yvon [...]

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Do I get to have a Guinness again this year?

Last St. Patrick’s Day I asked if—given Guinness’ long history of often questionable advertising claims—I should be allowed to hoist a pint of their tasty stout. 74% of you said “Yes. Guinness is yummy. And they aren’t all that bad anyway.” How about this year? I sure would love to hoist a pint since it’s [...]

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On sweatshops, morality and marketing

Do you care if a pair of jeans you were about to buy was made with sweatshop labor? What if you looked really good in them—would you care then? Are you sure? In Sweatshop Labor is Wrong Unless the Jeans are Cute, Neeru Paharia and Rohit Deshpandé of Harvard Business School share the results of [...]

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Is Belkin’s apology for astroturfing enough?

First, what’s “astroturfing?” Roughly, it’s when formal political, advertising, or public relations campaigns seek to create the impression of spontaneous “grassroots” behavior, hence the reference to the artificial grass, AstroTurf.* On Friday, The Daily Background Blog revealed that a Belkin employee was doing just that: Paying 65 cents for perfect reviews on Buy.com, NewEgg.com and [...]

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10 of my favorite lists from 2008

Happy New Year! I know. I’ve ranted about lists before, but to start off 2009, one of my resolutions is to lighten up (a little) about lists. Here’s a list of 10 of my favorite lists from last year, in no particular order: The 10 most admired companies of 2008 Fortune Magazine 50 ideas on [...]

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Responsible or not? Doritos marketing to kids

Doritos provided the following word search bookmark in school cafeterias: At the top, it says “Find the seven words hidden below that can lead you to a healthy day.” There are actually eight words, the first word on the list is “Doritos.” Three questions: Is Doritos telling kids that their product is part of a [...]

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On marketing and honor on Veterans Day

Today we honor our veterans: Those that serve, those that have served and those that gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country. How do most marketers honor this sacrifice? By commercializing it with Veterans Day sales, like this one: There’s nothing wrong with sales, especially in this economy. But with nary a mention of veterans [...]

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Marketers get attention with Election Day freebies

Regardless of how you plan to vote, chances are you are talking about the election. With estimates of turnout exceeding 130 million people, Election Day promotions make sense. Starbucks is giving away free coffee: View this video on YouTube Krispy Kreme is giving away free donuts: And Ben and Jerry’s is giving away free ice [...]

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Solar powered bus shelters turn outdoor ads green

In an innovative public-private partnership, Fuel Outdoor has donated 600 Solar powered bus shelters to the City of Miami. It’s “a revolutionary model at work—corporate advertising dollars are being used to clean the environment,” says Miami Mayor, Manny Diaz. Michael Freedman, CEO of Fuel, describes their unique business approach: We have a triple bottom line [...]

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