1. Major Retailers Haloed with Awards

The Cause Marketing Forum issues the Halo Awards each year to the best campaigns and communications between for-profit businesses and the non-profit social causes they support. A majority of 2008’s 16 Halo Awards recognized major US retailers. Target garnered the Best Campaign Print Creative award for its “Gifts for the Greater Good” print ad in partnership with the Salvation Army and the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. In conjunction with the home-rehab non-profit Rebuilding Together, Sears’ “Heroes at Home” campaign took home the Best Transactional Campaign award, which acknowledges the campaign that raised the most donations through consumer activity. The Burlington Coat Factory’s “Warm Coats and Warm Hearts Drive,” joining the efforts of ABC News and One Warm Coat, was honored with the National/Local Integration Award, which honors a campaign that successfully integrates local chapters of a cause with its larger national thrust. The Best Environmental/Wildlife award went to InterContinental Hotels for “Chase the Extraordinary.” The team of Proctor & Gamble’s Olay and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery were lauded for their efforts against skin cancer, and Frito-Lay and Make-A-Wish Foundation of America received recognition as well. Read More.

2. Florida Social Entrepreneurs Crowned with Laurels

The Florida International University held its annual Entrepreneur Challenge Business Plan Competition to award start-ups in social entrepreneurship and investment. Go Global Education won a $10,000 top prize in investment for its creation of a website that provides online global educational programs to public and charter schools. My Daily Cause earned the $10,000 trophy in social entrepreneurship for its website that compiles non-profits and charities so that visitors can give small to big causes. NoBo Interactive, an educational and therapeutic toy company promoting the social development of autistic children, became $2,5000 richer as the runner-up in the social entrepreneurship track. Read more.