Corporate Philanthropy or PR?

CO: Corporate philanthropy can be commendable or condemnable or something in between: Where should the line be drawn? What is responsible corporation to do? What should a responsible consumer do?

• Is true altruism required or can a corporation get an advertising benefit from a charitable donation?
• Charitable branding that provides a share of revenues to a charity can be a win/win, but what share makes the corporation philanthropic rather than just opportunistic?

• Are there limits to what should be branded? What about locations of branding?

For a great list of products linked to charities, see the TBYP Parade of Pink: some examples...which do you think are philanthropic?

Deluxe Bunco Game - 2% of products sold will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Price: $9.99

Cartier - Cartier Roadster Watch

Cartier will donate $200 from each watch sold to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation with a minimum donation of $16,000. Price: $3,800

In Great Taste—Fresh, Simple Recipes for Eating and Living Well (Hardcover) by Evelyn Lauder

All of Evelyn Lauder's royalties from the sale of this book will be donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. A minimum of 85 cents of each dollar donated to the Foundation goes directly to breast cancer research and awareness programs. Price: $29.95 

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