Because October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I received an e-mail from a PR firm suggesting items for a "shop for a cause" feature. It's not the kind of thing we ever did in WALK! Magazine, but I thought I would take a look.
Some of the items included ear buds, an ear bud case, iPod case, an expandable "sleeve" to keep computer cables organized under your desk, a mini keyboard and an outdoor extension cord -- all PINK! I looked at the selection of pink items and had to wonder -- what on earth do any of these items have to do with Breast Cancer Awareness?
Have we gotten to the point where all you have to do is make your product pink and it suddenly supports Breast Cancer Awareness?
I responded to the e-mail stating I was concerned about the selection of products and the relevance. The PR professional defended her client reminding me that for each item sold the client was donating $1 to a nonprofit that raises funds to meet the critical needs of women living with breast cancer. It's a great cause!
Maybe I'm just cynical. There are a million products out there being promoted as supporting some type of Breast Cancer research or awareness or helping women with this horrible disease. I have to wonder how many of these are genuine and how many are just jumping on the bandwagon to make a profit.
And despite this non-profit being a good cause, I really have to question this promotion. Does having a pink extension cord in my garage really do anything to promote Breast Cancer awareness?
__________I don't want to publicly disparage this PR professional or her client. She is doing a good job for her client and I think the company probably has good intentions. I don't agree with the promotion, but I think they are sincere. If anyone is interested in any of the pink products I mentioned, or if you are interested in learning more about the non-profit, send me an e-mail and I will get the information to you.
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