(Potential) Innovation Watch: Nonprofit advertisement through product placement

by Nathaniel Whittemore · 2008-11-17 11:35:00 UTC
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Taproot Foundation founder Aaron Hurst doesn't blog all that often, but when he does its often insightful little nuggets that other social entrepreneurs should take heed of. The Taproot Foundation provides nonprofits with skilled-service grants in the form of expertise from local companies.

In a post today called "Pro Bono on NBC," Aaron noted that as product placement on television is increasingly woven into scripts and plots, why not have "socially good" product placement a more regular element as well?

Now, I am not looking for our logo simply to appear on the show. I want to see doing pro bono with the Taproot Foundation be part of the plot. In case you lack the imagination, here are a few potential tie-ins:

  • A mid-life crises turns character into a pro bono junkie

  • Couple meets on a pro bono project and finds true love in their shared values

  • Character works at the Taproot Foundation (make sure they are really attractive to make this part realistic)

While Aaron is referring specifically to his organization, its an even more interesting idea when you think about it broadly? Why not have people drinking fair trade coffee instead, switching to green energy, fundraising for a holiday, etc? Any socially entrepreneurial execs want to step up to the plate?

Nathaniel Whittemore is the founder of Assetmap. Previously he was the founding director of the Northwestern University Center for Global Engagement.
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