Wow, talk about green branding, transparency, cause-related marketing, and providing value. After exploring the Show the World What's Inside campaign by Seventh Generation, I'm in real awe of their efforts. The website consists of the following elements...


Create A Tree
List the ingredients that define who you are, select a tree shape, and watch it come to life. The program pulls in pictures from iStockphoto based on the words you entered, then allows you to go back and edit it OR save it to the Forest. Upon deciding to save it, you're given a few options. Creating an Account allows you to save your tree and them the ability to send you product coupons. Selecting "No Thank You" asks you to type in your name, then gives you a permalink to share your tree and its attributes with others. I had selected "freedom, water, and vitality" as my attributes, and you can see my tree here. The last option is to log in and save it to your library, or as I'll call it: your personal forest.
The Forest
Here you can explore trees created by other members in a slideshow tree-by-tree manner and see the name of the person who created it. The site offers to click the tree for a closer look, but this functionality is a bit redundant as there's no substantial change other than seeing the creator's attributes. Navigating the forest one by one is a bit cumbersome, but the main idea is creating a user perception of community while perusing around for 15 seconds, at which point you're ready to move on.
Label Reading Guide
The link first takes you to an overview of what it's all about; and what's that? A flash based info library on personal and household care ingredients/chemicals. Clicking to "Learn More" takes you out of the microsite and to a devoted page on Seventh Gen's website; hosting it here is important because the guide needs a permanent url to be effectively accessed and shared with others. The guide itself has an index, is searchable, ingredients can be submitted, has a send to friend feature, and is downloadable as a widget (Windows Vista) or for use on your mobile phone.
Take Action
Here they give you two options. The first is to sign a petition from Environmental Working Group to tell the new president that you "support new laws to make chemicals in consumer products and the environment safe for all children." - see NotKidSafe.org. The second option is to buy an ingredients T-Shirt or baby garment along with a colored marker for you to write with, for $19 plus shipping; the proceeds go to EWG.
What's Inside Of Us
This is the promotional clip of the campaign which includes animation, narration, and music. It asks us to consider the beauty inside us. Click here to see the video.
Review
Seventh Generation has created a tiered cause-related marketing campaign that directly ties into its core brand identity (safe, non-toxic ingredients) by employing a microsite with user-generated trees and a label guide, petition, t-shirts, and video. I must say this is one of the best green marketing campaigns I've seen, and a great inspiration for similar interactive media.
What do YOU think? Have you seen a great online marketing campaign that ties into personal health and the environment in an engaging manner? Please share...

Enter your email address to continue reading

Show the World What's Inside

Don't worry...it's free!

Already a member? Sign in now.

Sign in with your preferred account, below.

Did you like this article?
Know someone who would enjoy it too? Share with your friends, free of charge, no sign up required! Simply share this link, and they will get instant access…
  • Copy Link

  • Email

  • Twitter

  • Facebook

  • Pinterest

  • Linkedin


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

People have called me talented, multicultural, and "deep", but I prefer to think in terms of caring. Pursuing excellence. Connecting emotionally with audiences. Being profitable. Creating a better world through social and environmental responsibility.

These are the passions that drive me to help organizations. Marketing is the backbone - Innovation is the spirit.

Career:
It all began with a few mid-size consumer product manufacturers in housewares and personal care, selling to a variety of retailers across America. Big name department stores, discounters, supermarkets, drugstores...you name it. But our product lines were anything but static. To win retailers' business while working in small teams with in-house and 3rd party sales agents entails wearing many hats. Developing marketing collateral, co-designing new products and displays, visiting buyers and their stores, building pricing structures, managing sales pipelines, and compiling logistical data were my day-to-day activities. Following this, I went to a product development firm where I did market research, writing, and graphic design for print and online.

Since early 2008, I've been helping clients develop marketing solutions through writing and video for permanent online promotion.