SocialButterfly.

At this past week’s International Advertising Association’s World Congress in Washington D.C, the Ad Council and IAA revealed results from the Ad Council IAA Member Survey on Social Advertising Programs. For all social marketers out there, the results are on our side.

Among the Key Findings, the following figures were given in support of social marketing:

• 57% of respondents felt their country should implement MORE social marketing campaigns than it currently has.
• 61% said their country NEEDS HELP developing social marketing campaigns.
• 90% of respondents expressed interest in sharing and learning MORE about research and creative materials for social marketing campaigns in other countries.

As I was in attendance during this conference, you can imagine how STOKED I was about this. I had to pinch myself. Here I was at the IAA World Congress, and did I hear right:  We are talking about social marketing. The real social marketing. Not social media. I could barely contain myself. Then, it happens again, and then again. And then I realize, the IAA is trying to educate and send a message to the ad community: invest in social marketing!

But where were we social marketers? our experts in the field? our voice? Absent. Here was a chance to share our passion, knowledge, excitement and message with the very industry that we can work with….and we weren’t there. So, here is my message for this post. Social marketing is great and wonderful. But we can’t stay in our bubble. We’ve reached out to the non-profit community, but all advertisers aren’t bad. There are big movers and shakers who want to do good and see the value in doing goog. We need to integrate ourselves with them….not be divisive.

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These results were shared with the Advertising industry during the IAA presentation for the 1st Social Responsibility advertising awards. These awards were presented with cooperation between IAA and ACT Responsible. The Grand Prix winner was “Signature” for Amnesty International by TBWA/Paris. To see the rest of the recipients, go here.

(This was a web-based survey through Zoomerang among IAA members from December 13, 2007 to February 11, 2008. 204 completed surveys were received from member respondents in six continents. Respondents included respondents from advertisers, ad agencies, media outlets, research companies, trade associations and universities.)

What wave you may ask? The wave of effective positive change in yourself and in your community. At the Next Wave Take Action Summit 2008, the leaders of the future gathered and shared King’s inspiration with their visions for the next big wave of change.

Participants in this interactive 3-day program to learn how to create, develop and spread this ‘wave’ for social change. Speakers shared insights, knowledge and resources about copyright, trademark, gaining nonprofit status, business development, financial integrity, marketing, social marketing and fund raising.  The main message: Before you can motivate/inspire/encourage/support others….you have to know who you are, where you’re are going, your strengths, weaknesses, etc.

As organizer Tambra Stevenson might say, “You’ve got to lead your own ship before you can have effective leadership with others.”

The social entrepreneurs who attended this past weekend’s summit are steering their own ship and others, addressing such social causes as:

- Eco-enterprise
- Youth literacy
- Financial literacy
- Health awareness
- Political engagement
- Poverty and welfare
- Health and Wellness
- and more!

Yours truly also spoke about the exciting field of social marketing and social marketing’s role in the growing field of social enterprise. Other summit speakers represented a kaleidoscope of organizations including: ASHOKA Foundation, IQ Solutions, OhMyGov!, GreenDMV, William James Foundation, First Environment, Chance Academy, D.C. Mayor’s Office on Community Affairs, Upgrade America, IBM, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, U.S. Copyright Office, Nonprofit Roundtable, D.C. Office of Partnerships and Grants Development, Main Streets Anacostia, Creative Cause, DNC Women’s Leadership Forum.

In the future, the Next Wave Take Action committee plans on hosting an event to commemorate Robert Kennedy’s assassination. See you there!

Monday, March 10, 2008 Marks the National Observance of

National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

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10 Ways to Celebrate

1. Find an event near you. Visit Women’s Health Gov for more information.
2. To find a support group, call CDC-INFO at 800-232-4636 or visit www.hivtest.org
3. Want to find a place that offers care? Even if you don’t have insurance or funds? Find a location here.
4. Become educated. Some helpful sites include:

• Learn the Link between Drug Abuse and contracting HIV/AIDS.
• The official NWGHAAD site provides downloads for posters, podcasts, facts and more!
• AIDS.gov acts as a ‘gateway’ to federal HIV/AIDS information and resources.

5. Get tested for HIV.
6. Know Your A,B,C’s…
7. Practice safe sexual practices.
8. Be educated about high risk behaviors
9. Talk about it. Text about it. Tweet About it. Spread the buzz.
10. Write a blog post, ;).