About

Canvas8 invites you to New Philanthropy: CSR and the brand opportunity on the evening of Wednesday June 23 in Shoreditch, London. 

As we acclimatise to post-recession life ‘People’ and ‘Planet’ remain high on people’s agenda but despite good intentions, the economic downturn has made people value cost savings over planet saving. Instead people expect brands to take responsibility for their actions and make a difference on a scale that they, as individuals, are not able to.

From Pepsi repurposing their Superbowl marketing spend with Pepsi Refresh to Puma’s reinvention of the shoe box with Clever Little Bag - people are welcoming, embracing and expecting brands to reflect their values. When brands fail to do this, responses can be damaging.  

For brands this means more than just getting their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme right, it means leading by example. 

We’re delighted to welcome two amazing thought leaders in this field - Chris Arnold, founder of Creative Orchestra and author of Ethical Marketing and the New Consumer, and Simon Berry who spearheads the ColaLife campaign. Chris will analyse the importance of implementing CSR at every brand touchpoint and the resulting impact on the customer relationship, and Simon will explain how his incredible ColaLife distribution platform has the potential to 'open happiness.'

Format and tickets

Really straightforward - 2 x 20 minute talks with questions 15-minute refreshment breaks in between.

Doors open at 6.30pm, with speakers to start at 7.00pm sharp.

Tickets are strictly limited so if you can't make it please let us know by email or twitter @canvas8

All proceeds from ticket sales go to the charitable causes of Water Aid, Mobile Movement and CIVA. If you would rather not make a voluntary donation but wish to attend please email events@canvas8.com 

WaterAid is an international NGO whose mission is to transform lives by improving access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation in the world's poorest communities.

Mobile Movement is a collaboration between Microsoft Research India, Canadian NPO the Enviromental Youth Alliance and the United Nations agency UN-HABITAT, who have selected 15 youth projects to promote for funding, all based in Nairobi, Kenya. These range from fashion and catering businesses to educational and environmental programmes. 

The Centre for Innovation in Voluntary Action (CIVA) develops, pilots and funds new ideas for addressing social problems. CIVA encourages young people to go out and change the world and promotes self-help solutions to social problems. CIVA are a long term supporter of ColaLife.

Speakers

Chris Arnold

Chris is a creative strategist specialising in ethical marketing. He was Integrated Creative Director of Saatchi & Saatchi before he set up FEEL and in 2009 he started a new model advertising agency, social enterprise and talent incubator all in one - Creative Orchestra.

A champion of ethics, he is author of Ethical Marketing and the New Consumer and is currently writing THUNK (a new way to think). He writes the ethical marketing blog on Brand Republic and has written for numerous publications including the FT, Creative Review, The Times and Brand Strategy magazine. He has also appeared numerous times on TV as a marketing advisor.

Simon Berry

Simon Berry is the founder of ColaLife, a campaign that’s trying to get Coca-Cola to use its global distribution channels for good. By tapping into the fact that you can buy a Coke anywhere in the world, including developing countries, Simon Berry saw the perfect opportunity to utilise the company’s networks to provide children with lifesaving medicines. The idea is simple: ‘social products’ such as oral rehydration salts are packed into the unused space between the necks of Coca-Cola bottles, and then shipped out. After years of persistence Simon is now in talks with Coca-Cola about trialling the idea. Genius.