Insights
Boost Your Brand's Social Impact
October 2021
- Restaurants
- Kidults
- Brand Loyalty
- Social Impact
C3 has always been a strong advocate for giving back. It’s a part of our company’s DNA! We’ve seen the impact this kind of generosity has, and we’ve been buoyed by the value it can bring to both those who give and the recipients.
Today, many companies and brands aspire to do the same, and we’re thrilled to be able to support them in those efforts. That’s why we’ve launched C3 Social Impact, which focuses on creating brand-tailored products for a cause.
Our aims:
- Increase customer awareness of your brands’ cause
- Raise funds for your cause or foundation
- Join forces with your customers by including them in giving back to your cause
Including your customers in your social impact efforts not only helps your brand give back, but also helps your bottom line, and we have the data to prove it.
Tapping Into Cause Consumers
Consumers today are “cause consumers”: they feel empowered to make a difference with their dollars. They see their wallets as the most effective way to drive change, whether that’s by making donations, buying products with a social or environmental benefit or boycotting a company that they feel has stepped out of line. Cause consumers know they have a voice, and they will use it—to share their opinions about companies’ social impact efforts or to amplify social impact messages to their own networks.
Most importantly, consumers want to see businesses getting involved:
- 86% of Americans expect companies to do more than make a profit; they expect companies to also address social and environmental issues.1
- 70% of Americans believe companies have an obligation to take action to improve issues that may not be relevant to everyday business operations.1
- 72% of Americans say they feel it is more important than ever for the companies they buy from to reflect their values.2
Raise Cause Awareness, Increase Brand Affinity
What actions is your brand taking to make your philanthropic efforts feel tangible, meaningful or memorable to your customers? Do you offer them a glimpse into the purpose driving your brand?
Too often, brands’ social impact efforts seem passive and invisible to the consumer. Brands are missing the chance to connect with consumers. This is a missed opportunity, especially since consumers say they are more loyal to companies that invest in social impact:
- When consumers think a brand has a strong purpose, they are 4.1x more likely to trust that company.2
- 88% of consumers say they are more loyal to companies that support a social or environmental issue.3
It’s clear—anything you can do to authentically raise awareness for your cause or social impact efforts will drive brand affinity.
Join Forces with Your Customers While Building Your Brand
The best way to both raise awareness for your cause and increase your customers’ brand affinity is to get them involved in your social impact efforts. They’ll feel good about giving and leave with even more positive feelings toward your brand.
Consumers aren’t just willing to buy in, they’re actively looking for opportunities to give back!
- 82% of consumers say they would donate to a charity supported by a company they trust if given the opportunity.1
- 87% of consumers say they would buy a product with a social and/or environmental benefit if given the opportunity.1
One of the most effective ways to get them involved is to invite them to purchase something tangible, meaningful and memorable—a product for a cause. These purchases can raise funds for your cause, generate revenue for your operators, bring your brand home and give your customers a memento of their donation. It’s a win-win-win! Read on to see these tactics in action.
Case Study: Raising Cane’s
Raising Cane’s—a C3 client—has had great success via products for a cause through their Plush Puppy Program. Every year, Raising Cane’s customers have the opportunity to buy themed Plush Puppies (inspired by the yellow lab that is Raising Cane’s namesake), knowing that their purchase will help promote pet welfare via donations. In fact, thanks to the Plush Puppy Program, Raising Cane’s has donated more than $850,000 to local no-kill pet shelters and other pet welfare organizations4. Satisfied customers come back year after year to expand their Plush Puppy collection, all while feeling like they’re a part of something bigger than themselves. C3 is proud to have partnered with Raising Cane’s to design and produce their Holiday Plush Puppy since 2009.
Conclusion
The bottom line? Doing good feels good. Your guests want to feel like they have an impact in their community, and you can provide them the opportunity to pay it forward. Customers expect businesses to put their causes front and center, and they will reward you when you do—because studies show time and time again that brands with a cause build stronger, more loyal customers.
Ready to learn more about how C3 can help you develop a custom, brand-tailored social impact program? Contact us!
1. 2017 Cone Communications CSR Study
2. 2019 Porter Novelli/Cone Purpose Biometrics Study
3. 2020 Zeno Strength of Purpose Study
4. Raising Cane’s, “A Tradition of Supporting Pet Welfare”
About C3
C3 is an industry-leading design and brand marketing agency with more than 38 years of experience creating connections with customers, from families with children to Gen Zers. We provide insights, strategy, creativity and supply-chain expertise to build smart marketing programs around fully custom products, like kids’ meal toys, collectibles and other branded entertainment. We design and produce brand experiences you can touch — and that’s more powerful than a marketing message alone. A C3 product ignites a moment of joy and creates brand loyalty that lasts.