If you’re lucky enough to score a ticket this year, be sure to pay special attention to the screens surrounding the stadium.  Our friends at Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) secured placements for four of our Gay and Lesbian Bullying Prevention PSAs: “Fitting Room,” “Cashier”, “Pizza Shop”, and “Wordplay” featuring Hillary Duff, Wanda Sykes, Grant Hill, and Jared Dudley.

When it comes to gaining visibility for your public service advertising campaign, we learned that you don’t have to be on the Super Bowl to be at the Super Bowl.

But when you receive an awesome opportunity like this, what do you do with it? You blog, tweet and send out a press release.  Just being at the Super Bowl is news.  Especially when you’ve got the word “gay” attached to anything (sponsor, issue, copy). 

And remember – before you say “that play was so gay”, remember that using “gay” to mean “dumb” or “stupid’ is hurtful and offensive.

According to TED, an ad worth spreading is “an ad that people truly want to see and share. It might be hilariously funny or stunningly beautiful or wickedly clever. It might encapsulate a killer idea, promote an inspiring cause, or tell a captivating story.”

An ad worth spreading is not necessarily a PSA. A quick visit to the contest’s YouTube page reveals that finalists range from cats with thumbs (Cravensdale milk) and dancing forest animals (Fed Ex) to PSAs for the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, The National Domestic Violence Hotline, the ONE campaign and many more.

Among my favorites are short films produced on behalf of Chipotle’s Cultivate Foundation. Abandoned and Back to the Start depict the struggles faced by small family farms and drive home the message that sustainable farming practices are more important than ever. The music and imagery make these films/ads quite moving and in my opinion, worth spreading.

We’re thrilled that several Ad Council campaigns have made the cut:

Adoption from Foster Care
Autism Awareness
Unplanned Pregnancy Prevention
Horn of Africa Relief
Buzzed Driving Prevention

While contest winners are ultimately selected by TED, you can show your support for a particular ad by voting on the YouTube channel.

What are you favorite ads worth spreading? What motivates you to share ads with your networks?

Video accomplishes many things online — they can be visual, entertaining, and explanatory and it’s all less work for the consumer. So instead of relying solely on copy to explain the most important pieces of information about your organization, I say pick the things that are critical for people to know and produce a video about it. Make sure that video is captivating, short and conversational. Remember that online you are always competing with talking cats and cute babies.

Check out this video below by Grey. In 3 minutes they let you know who they are and why they are awesome. I also like how they use images and voiceover, which is effective and can save a bundle.(Note: there are talking babies and cats in it).

Also last week, Ad Council launched a video about how we work, produced by our friends at Free Range. We recognized that we are a complex and unique organization. And it’s not always easy to grasp our model and services. This video allows us to tell our story and communicates our impact to our potential sponsors and consumers.

Have you ever noticed how many people are using social media these days?  Everyone from your best friend to your mom is posting on Twitter, Facebook and other online communities.  What would you do if I now told you that someone was listening to what’s being said?  All the conversation online, ranging from opinion sharing to insightful product reviews to emotional support makes social media the largest focus groups and companies are beginning to listen.

According to SocialMediabiz.com, the companies that will succeed in the current market place, “will be social businesses, committed to forging deep and meaningful relationships with their customer”.  Organizations that hope to connect with their consumers, need to be dedicated to listening what they have to say.  Online monitoring or “listening” is almost a necessity for any organization.  Organizations large and small have invested serious dollars to putting their ear to the metaphorical ground to inform their decisions relating to “product development, customer support, public outreach, lead generation, market research and campaign measurement.”

Most conversation online are unsolicited, that’s what makes it so pure and valuable.  For instance, a pharmaceutical company wants to hear how patients talk about their drugs and an agency wants to know what aspect of their commercial is annoying.   Companies also “listen in” to put out threatening fires and reach out extraordinary customers.  

In terms of executing a listening strategy, there are tons of social media monitoring vendors, each designed to fit the varying needs in the market place.  To get an understanding of what providers our out there,  check out “The Forrester Wave”, a 2010 evaluation of  the top listening platforms in the market.

Social media monitoring is a practice that is here to stay, so why don’t you stop and listen…you may be surprised what you hear.

Sure, the fine folks at Google have an obvious self-interest in mobile, but that doesn’t change the fact that their site www.HowToGoMo.com is an excellent little starting place for the mo-curious (I’ll refrain from postulating on why the site doesn’t fully work in FireFox, Chrome’s biggest rival, but it’s interesting to note).

First and foremost, is making clear the distinction between simply being able to access a site on a mobile device, and a site that is designed to cater to the mobile experience, which is ruled by screen size and bandwidth.

Next, is appreciating the arguments for why going mobile has shifted from a nice-to-have to a must-have.  Case in point: “By 2012, more people will use their mobile phones than PCs to get online.”

HowToGoMo also features a fun and useful tool – its GoMoMeter – to provide a sneak peak of how a given site looks on a smart phone, and to provide any top-line recommendations for how it could be improved for mobile browsing (hooray! The recently launched m.theshelterproject.org scores a perfect 4 out of 4!).

Recommendations are rooted in Google’s 10 Mobile Best Practices – a set of guidelines that is certainly in line with, and as good as any I’ve seen out there.  To my eyes, there’s a sense of priority in how their best practices are ordered, so check out the top 5 below, and you’ll be off to a good start in understanding the nuances of what makes for a good mobile site.

Top 5 Mobile Best Practices from Google

1. Keep it Quick: fast load time and copy/content that can be scanned quickly
2. Simplify Navigation: a clear hierarchy, vertical only, a prominently available search box for complex sites
3. Thumb-friendly: users lack the finer control of a mouse or stylus
4. Design for visibility: use sufficient color contrast and plenty of negative space
5. Make it accessible: site should work across all mobile devices and handset orientations. Avoid Flash – it doesn’t work on all devices.

Google’s full set of best practices is available as a handy-dandy PDF you can save and print as a reference.

Best Ad: Google Chrome Ads

Best Product for Good: Warby Parker Glasses

Best Nonprofit Blog: NetWits Think Tank

Best Government Campaign: CDC Preparedness 101: Zombie Apocalypse

Best Facebook Campaign: RobinHood Campaign to End Poverty with Lady Gaga

Best Campaign: Movember

Best Fundraising Campaign:  Stephen and Melinda Gates Foundation

Best Content Integration: Sesame Street’s food insecure Muppet — Lily

Best Corporate Crowd-sourced Contest for Good: Chase Community Giving

Best Online Video: AT&T Don’t Text While Driving Documentary

For your Family Member, Mentor or Boss

Let’s Get Ready: College Access  

Let’s Get Ready is an amazing organization that wants to see a day when all students, no matter what socioeconomic background, can have the support they need to reach college. The Mission of Let’s Get Ready is to expand college access for motivated, low-income high school students by providing FREE SAT preparation and college admission counseling.  Let’s Get Ready relies on a cadre of student volunteers, or “coaches” to be mentors and role models in order to achieve its mission.  Here’s what your money can provide:

$50 provides all books and materials for a Let’s Get Ready student.

$100 supports a training session for our college Coaches.

$250 funds a program graduation ceremony (including diplomas and refreshments).

$500 sponsors one Let’s Get Ready student.

Visit www.letsgetready.org to donate in a loved one’s name and help a student go to college.

For your Best Friend, Sister, Significant Other

Nomi Network*: Job Creation for Survivors of Human and Sex Trafficking

Did you know there are more humans in slavery today than ever in history? According to the UN, there are over 27 million slaves and trafficking is a $32 billion dollar business.  Nomi Network  was created to address this issue and is dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty that perpetuates human trafficking globally.  Specifically, Nomi Network leverages the fashion industry to implement product design, development and marketing strategies for slave-free products.

This process creates employment and career development opportunities for women who are survivors and/or at risk of being trafficked. Nomi also manufactures products with its signature label, “Buy Her Bag, Not Her Body ®” to raise awareness about this global humanitarian issue.  100% of the proceeds from the sale of these bags provide wages, healthcare, childcare, transportation, and meals for the women in South East Asia. Visit www.nominetwork.org to donate or purchase slave-free products at www.buyherbagnotherbody.com .

For your Client, Family Friend, or In Laws

ONEHOPE Wines: Cancer,  Veterans, Autism support

ONEHOPE is a great example of companies who build in philanthropy into their business model, much like TOMS, Warby Parker, and many other socially conscious companies we love.  ONEHOPE was started by eight friends who created a thriving business from wanting to support a friend who was fighting cancer.  They believe that giving back is good business.  What’s amazing is that 50% of their profits will be donated to deserving causes, including issues such as children’s health, veteran’s support, autism, cancer, among others.

To date ONEHOPE has raised over $400,000 for a wide range of charity organizations. This holiday, you can give your co-worker, family member or loved one with a great bottle of wine that gives back!  Wines starting from $18.99, with a minimum of $3 to a non-profit, can be purchased online at www.ONEHOPEWine.com.

For your Co-Worker, Sister-In-Law or Friend

Made With Love: Women and Children     

My secret is out.  This is one of my all-time favorite cause-related product site.  Made with Love is a global initiative that is dedicated to raise awareness and funds for NGO’s (non governmental organizations) helping women and children in Brazil, African and Haiti, a country very close to my heart.  The production and sales of these products provide fair wages.

Made With Love works through the Cygnet Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-for-profit public foundation, which through the proceeds realized from art-related programs, seeks to help those in need – principally children and women, the homeless and the hungry as well as abandoned or endangered animals. www.cygnetfoundation.org

For your College Student, Hipster, Friend

UNICEF and Threadless Good Shirts: Children  in the Horn of Africa

Ok, I know this post is supposed to about organizations you probably haven’t heard of, but I couldn’t resist my last pick. Disclaimer: I used to work here, so I am a bit biased, again.  Currently, over 13 million people are affected by the emergency in the Horn of Africa. That’s more than the population of New York City and Houston combined!  To aid children in famine and drought-affected areas of the Horn of Africa, the very cool company, Threadless and BBH New York have partnered with the U.S. Fund for UNICEF to release Good Shirts.  For a donation of $18.57, which is the exact cost of three insecticide treated mosquito nets, supporters receive a t-shirt featuring a foiled mosquito.

One hundred percent of donations go to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF to support lifesaving relief efforts for children in Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Djibouti. Every Good Shirt is a chance to wear something good. They are available at www.threadless.com/UNICEF .

There you have it.  Feel good about giving one of these gifts that gives back, learn about a new cause and who knows, maybe it will inspire you to do more!  Best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season!

*Disclaimer: I volunteer for this organization

Be creative. Any movement is better than none.

• Walk to your colleague’s desk instead of phoning.
• Take the steps instead of the elevator. If you work in a high-rise, get off a few floors early and take the stairs the rest of the way.
• Always keep healthy snacks available at your desk.
• Do a few laps around the block (or around your office if it’s too cold outside).
• Brainstorm ideas with a co-worker while taking a walk.
• Schedule exercise time on your business calendar and treat it as any other important appointment.
• Sit in proper posture. Don’t slouch!

5 Deskercises to Get you Started

Leg Lifts: Sitting in your chair, lift one leg off the seat, extend it out straight, and hold for 5-10 seconds. Slowly lower your foot to the floor. Switch legs. Complete 15 reps on each leg.

Abdominal Contraction:Lengthen your spine in order to sit as tall as you can. Plant your feet strongly on the floor. Contract your abs as hard as possible and hold for 3 to 5 seconds. Release and repeat for a set of 12 reps. You can also target your oblique muscles by contracting sideways.

Shoulder Squeeze: Sitting up straight with your shoulders down, try to squeeze your shoulder blades together. Hold for 2-3 seconds, and then relax. Repeat 15 times.

Chair Squat: While sitting, lift up until your hips are just hovering over the chair. Hold for 2-3 seconds, then stand all the way up. Repeat 12 times.

Dips: Make sure chair is stable and place hands next to hips. Move hips in front of chair and bend the elbows, lowering the body until the elbows are at 90 degrees. Push back up and repeat for 12 reps.

Finding ways to incorporate physical activity into your daily routine is an important – and fun – part of a happy, healthy holiday. Enjoy! 

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1 in 4 American children are food insecure (a.k.a. hungry) and 9.6 million of them are under the age of 6.

“In that Sesame Workshop model, we looked at how you structure a story around this issue in a way that presents the child’s point of view,” said Dr. Jeanette Betancourt, Senior Vice President for Outreach and Educational Practices at Sesame Workshop. “We figured the best way was to create a wonderful Muppet who had experienced food insecurity so that we could really point it out from a child’s perspective.”

Enter Lily. A 7-year-old Muppet who knows all too well what it feels like to be hungry.

Abigail Quesinberry:  Hi, Lily! It’s so nice to meet you! So, Lily, I understand that your family hasn’t always had enough food to eat. What’s it like to not know where your next meal is coming from?

Lily:  Well, um, that’s kind of a hard question… My mom is really good about doing the best she can and my dad… I guess he’s been a little mopey lately. I try not to think about it too much. But I’m pretty lucky because there’s this thing at school where I get a free breakfast and lunch. Before that, it was really hard… my friends would go sit together at lunchtime and I would say I wasn’t hungry or I had a stomachache or something because I just was a little embarrassed, you know, or ashamed about it.

Is there a place that you found out about that families can go when they don’t have enough food?

Yeah, this is so cool. There’s this place in our town, and most towns have them, called the food pantry. And what you can do is collect canned foods, but you can also get different foods. Like there’s community gardens that also donate food to the food pantry or you can go right to the garden which I started doing with my friends. We started helping out at the garden and growing stuff.

Oh neat! So is that something that your friends can do to help, if they know that maybe you don’t have enough food to eat?

Yeah, it’s really cool because I went from feeling kind of like shy about it but then when I decided to do canned food drives, we were so happy because people were giving so much! Like, we didn’t even expect them to give so much. We just had bags, like grocery bags, but we actually had to get a wagon because we couldn’t carry everything!

Can you always tell who needs help and who doesn’t?

No – especially if they’re like me. The first time my family went to the food pantry, I saw this girl in my class and I had no idea that she was in the same situation I was in. Because she hardly spoke at all. I’m kind of shy, but not really shy. She’s really really shy so I went over and talked to her and we’re really good friends now. Her name’s Sophia.

I’m glad that you and Sophia became friends.

Yeah – I mean we probably can tell more than everybody else, you know. When you know what it’s like you can recognize feelings in others. Don’t you think so? I mean, you’re an adult so you have lots of feelings.

I think so. I think you can tell that other people are feeling the same way that you are sometimes.

And I think that’s probably a good thing that comes… I mean there’s nothing good about being hungry… it’s not a good feeling. Your stomach is in knots most of the time. You just drink water and try to trick yourself into not being hungry. But when you get help and when you realize that you can also give help to others, it makes you a stronger person. I think that’s the good part – learning how much you can receive by giving.

What kind of advice would you give other kids who might be in your same situation?

Well, I think for the most part, you should talk to your mom and dad about how you’re feeling. Like my dad feels bad so he doesn’t want to talk about it, but when I talked with my dad and I told him that I love him and that it wasn’t his fault that he lost his job and everything, he felt better. Also, if you are in school, usually your teacher is a safe place to go or the principal. Our school has counselors that you could talk to so I think that you could find a safe person at school that you can tell your situation because you probably can qualify for the lunch and breakfast program.

That’s really good advice, Lily. From going to the food bank and the community garden, are there any new foods that you learned to like that you didn’t like before?

Yeah… I didn’t really like canned yams. For some reason, people really like to give canned yams – I don’t know why! I kind of like them now, though. My mom, sometimes she’ll put brown sugar on them.

Well, I like canned yams too. So now we’re in the same club.

“The public response to Lily has been amazing,” said Dr. Jeanette Betancourt, “She has brought a sense of hope and reduction of stigma to the issue of food insecurity and raised awareness that childhood hunger is much more significant here in the U.S. than we ever thought. It was really an invisible crisis but the power of Lily is making it much more visible.”

You can find more information about Sesame Workshop’s Food for Thought initiative here.