To think that all these companies helping Comic Relief are doing it for commercial reasons

[BumgrapesofWrath]

Just that really!

Seems to be a lot of free advertising for TKMaxx (t-shirts), Sainsbury's (red noses), Malteasers etc.

I would be less cynical if it weren't for the fact that they seem to have exclusive deals, e.g. you can only get the t-shirt from TKMaxx. That must be for TKMaxx benefit, as it's not like there is a TKMaxx in every town, so it's reducing the reach of the item.

Am I just a cynic, and these companies really are doing it for the greater good?

No - they're doing it for their own good but you have to be able to see past that and appreciate the good that happens despite their motives. I think.

Course they are.
sainsbrys have just donated £2m from the sale of red noses so its worth it.

no of course they are but that's just the way the world works. Everyone has a primary agenda

I don't mind why they are doing it... there are very few totally altruistic acts in this world.
people bought cakes today because they fancied a cake not because they wanted to give kids vaccines in africa
people paid for their kids to dress up at school so the kids fitted in...

it doesn't really matter.. as long as the money goes to the cause in the end it is all that counts.

Of course they're doing it for the PR. Doesn't stop the cause from being a good cause. If you rather avoid increasing TK Maxx, Sainsbury et al. profits, you can also give without buying merchandise.

I think it is a little bit of both... I think it is ok just about

I think you are right. Though I also know that donors feel good about giving and that corporates know that their employees will feel good about being involved so that one reason is that their employees will be happier because they are part of meeting a need.

So you are right but also for a diffeent reason!

They are helping, but they are not helping as much as they could do, as they are signing these exclusive deals, which means not as much money is being made as could be!

That's exactly why the celebs are doing it as well.

yes they are - thank goodness as the raise loads

sainsburys have a lot of shelf space dedicated to red nose day, space which could be used for profit making products. Of course, they're hoping you'll come in and buy your bread and milk as well as your red nose. But does it matter?

Corporate and Social Responsibility is a big deal to companies - I think certain tax breaks are available for various activities.

Yes there is a transactional/socially aspirational element to all corporate donations. Doesn't make it wrong. Why point the finger at companies that have donated? Why not whinge about those that have given naff all?

Of course! They use their brand to do two things:

1. Raise money through using their well known profile
2. Raise their own profile even further through creating good will.

Thank goodness they do!

I Would not be able to match any of their fundraising!
My company, or any small company would be able either, they dont have the profile, nor the man power or the funds!

They also help make a pretty good show.

Of course they are!

Yes, of course but that doesn't make it bad. It also doesn't mean that there's nothing altruistic behind any of their involvement.

So, does nobody have a gripe with the "exclusivity"?? If Tesco, Asda, Morrisons etc were allowed to sell red noses as well shit loads of money could be made. Instead, Sainsbury's are granted exclusivity, which is for their benefit!!

Sainsburys arent "granted" exclusivity, Sainsburys pay for exclusivity! It's a business decision and a brand alignment that works.

The other shops can find other ways of raising money.

Frankly, the world does not need a million red plastic noses filling up landfills.

My understanding was the same as Awks.

Would other stores selling red noses generate much more cash? There's enough unsold at Sainsburys! It would probably result in fakes being sold if anyone could stock them. Same with t-shirts, sometimes having an exclusive product generates more.

Does it matter if they are doing it for commercial reasons? They are using their advertising money for, in part, a good cause. Surely that's better than usingnit just for themselves? And the tax breaks? Who wouldn't? I use charitabe donations as tax relief, even the little bit I give. Something is surely better than nothing? And they have the opportunity to raise muc more money than you or me. So what if that makes us spend an extra quid or two at their company.

There are plenty of companies helping quietly also so the whole thing can go ahead. My company donates our call centres and all the telephony equipment to take donations and the phones are manned by staff donating their time

Maybe they are. But Sainsburys staff and customers raised more than £10 million pounds this year. And that's a lot of vaccines and mosquito nets etc so I can definately live with it!

The celebs only do it for good reasons and not personal publicity either. That's why whenever comic relief is mentioned on BBC news they don't the cause only the 'stars' on the show. Its about the charity and not the stars you see..

It's tax efficient.