Social gaming company Zynga has launched its holiday philanthropic campaign, which connects virtual and real world. It kicked off “Oh, What Fun!” initiative, which helps to collect money for buying toys for children from less fortunate families in the USA. The new campaign invites gamers to contribute to the cause while playing their favourite online games—from November 28 to December 31, all the money from in-game purchase price will be donated to Toys for Tots (players’ purchases are not tax-deductible).

Diesel has announced some plans for the upcoming year. The brand is teaming up with the EDUN label founded by Bono and his wife Ali Hewson, a global fashion brand bringing about positive change through its trading relationship with Africa,” to launch a new collaborative collection in spring 2013. So far, the brands do not say much about the new line, but considering Diesel’s braveness and EDUN’s Africa-benefitting philosophy, the denim range is expected to combine a creative twist and a social/eco conscious approach.

Samsung is tackling the problem of lack of education in Africa in a simple but stunning and inspiring way. The tech company launched its Samsung’s Internet Schools Programme, which brings “technology-rich learning and teaching” K-12 classrooms to distant and rural regions of the countries. Through the initiative, the brand aims to foster education in poorest regions using the most cost-efficient, but effective and sustainable technologies—the new classrooms are opened in old shipping solar-powered renovated containers.

The massive storm Sandy left the New York along with many parts of the eastern United States devastated these days. The hurricane killed at least 50 people and thousands ended up knocked out of their normal life since the disaster caused floods, blackouts and driving millions of losses for insuring companies. While millions of citizens in the area are trying to get over the disaster, brands are also contributing to the recovery—in their ways.

YouTube has introduced its newest tool, Campaigns, for non-profits, which helps create online initiatives aimed at raising awareness and increasing the number of views or subscribers, and track the progress of the initiative. The new feature was launched as part of the YouTube Nonprofit Program, and helps see in a “thermometer mode” how many people have viewed the campaign (in percents).