One of the top three 2011 breakaway brands, YouTube and computing company Lenovo are rolling out a science contest for students called SpaceLab to conduct its space experiment.
philanthropy
With its numerous social and educative initiatives, PUMA spreads the message of peace and love all around the globe—as part of this commitment, the sports lifestyle giant supports independent documentary and encourages people in developing countries around the globe to ‘kick the ball’ as well as helps address environmental problems. But PUMA is not only the brand which ‘operates on the ground,’ it also reaches out into the sea with its marine preservation campaign. Now, ahead of the Volvo Ocean Race, in which the brand is participating, it has launched a short environmental documentary film ‘Home Oceans,’ dedicated to the modern problems of sea and focusing on the most troubling issues such as rising floodwaters, changes of ecosystems, extinction of sea animals to name but a few.
In just two weeks, Starbucks has launched three initiatives, aimed at providing support to local citizens and businesses—two in the U.S. last week, and one yesterday in Japan. The international coffee retailer announced the establishment of the Starbucks CUP Fund (Caring Unites Partners) in Japan, created to help affected partners and employees in the country’s recover after the natural disaster, which shook the country on March 11. According to the press release, CUP will provide partners in need with “cash grants based on their needs and situation.”
Belvedere, the world’s first super premium vodka, announced its partnership with (RED) and the launch of a Special Edition Bottle to raise proceeds for the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria™. The initiative, which was launched in February in the U.S., now comes to the United Kingdom. 50% of profits from the global sale of BELVEDERE (PRODUCT)RED ™ Special Edition Bottle will contribute to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in Africa.
Global companies do not hesitate to share their expertise—and money—with aspiring entrepreneurs and small businesses. Among those who come out to support little companies and help lead their country out of the global financial are Facebook, Dell and Starbucks to name but a few, and this list is growing. MillerCoors is one of those who provide aspiring businessmen with a monetary support to develop their companies, diverse and promising—though its MillerCoors Urban Entrepreneurs Series (MUES) program, the alcohol manufacturer has been giving away five grants of $150,000 annually for over a decade. Now, the company is announcing a new submission round (this year, the period was extended by nearly a month), which is running through October 28 at www.MillerCoorsMUES.com.
Starbucks proves its commitment to communities and after introducing the ‘Create jobs for USA’ initiative, it presents a new community model in the neighborhoods of Harlem, New York and Crenshaw, Los Angeles. These organizations will share in the profits of a store in each community. Each organization will receive a minimum of $100,000 from Starbucks for the first year of the partnership.
The number of American companies supporting small businesses in their country is growing—Facebook, American Express, Google and Dell to name but a few are now joined by Starbucks, which has teamed up with Opportunity Finance Network (OFN) to launch Create Jobs for USA, an initiative that encourages consumers to donate money, which will be used to strengthen community business nationwide.
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., the Worldwide Olympic Partner and the U.S. Olympic Committee have presented the U.S. Olympic Genome Project, an initiative developed for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The idea is to connect Americans with Olympians and Paralympians through social media tools.