Partnership Series: Cause Marketing versus Sponsorship – What’s the difference?

At JS Daw & Associates, multi-stakeholder partnerships are core to our business. Partnerships come in many different forms and can be applied across a wide range of situations. The relationships between partners can have varying degrees of depth and length. This is the beginning of a 4-part series that looks at different types of partnerships and the emerging profession of Partnership Brokering.

Why Every Community Investment Program needs a Brand

I was proud to have presented at the February Conference Board of Canada's Corporate Community Investment Council meeting in Toronto. I shared the Canadian Oil Sands "Math Minds" case study, and the key message of the presentation was that every Community Investment program has a brand, whether it is managed it or not. Community investment professionals must embrace a brand mindset. 

Infographic Maps Growing Trend in Employee Volunteer Programs

Employee volunteering is a hot topic followed by JS Daw & Associates. We’re seeing more and more Canadian businesses encouraging their employees to volunteer regularly. What does this look like? This original infographic from JS Daw & Associates provides some interesting Canadian stats and insights about this growing trend.

A "Big Shout Out" to Big Brothers, Big Sisters

A big shout out to all my friends at Big Brothers & Big Sisters, Canada (BBBSC) for their exiting new brand engagement initiative "The Big Shout Out." This idea is a great example of how to bring a brand to life, and more importantly how to use it to engage and build a community of brand advocates and champions. Any organization can learn from this dynamic example of creating a brand experience that is relevant and meaningful to its current and potential supporters.

Top Five Must Watch Trends for 2013

Welcome to the age of Community-Business InnovationFive Trends that Matter for 2013!As we begin 2013, JS Daw & Associates has identified the top 5 trends that will matter for community-business innovation. Based on the power of “&” we will see the amplification of:1) Purpose & Performance = Increased impact and enhanced value2) Nonprofits & Impact = Greater value and differentiation as the sector continues to grow3) CSR & Innovation = The new business imperative4)

2012 Highlights from JS Daw & Associates

As 2012 draws to a close, the team at JS Daw & Associates is proud to share some highlights from the past year. From  the launch of  Math Minds, an innovative three-way partnership to enhance early numeracy; to a new office, and  a growing staff, 2012 has been a very exciting year for our team.The Launch of Math Minds: This past November,  JS Daw & Associates was proud to attend the launch of Math Minds – A Canadian Oil Sands Initiative.  

From Traditional to Breakthrough Branding

As the number of nonprofits grows and corporations expand their work in the community the philanthropic marketplace is becoming more complicated and crowded.  A deluge of overlapping messages is often overwhelming and difficult to distinguish. How can you stand out?  How do you maintain and grow support for your work?  The answer lies in building a clear, focused and compelling brand.   Whether you are a nonprofit, foundation or corporation building a brand for your work in the community  is no longer a nice to do - it is the new imperative

Cause Talk Radio Interview

It was a privilege to join cause gurus Joe Waters of Selfish Giving and Megan Strand of Cause Marketing Forum on Cause Talk Radio on Philanthropy Day.  I am pleased to share the interview as I explore with Joe and Megan how the cause movement has grown in Canada.   I  identify key cause trends, including more partnerships among nonprofits and the hot new area of employee engagement.Joe's dubbed me the Canadian Cause Queen - Queen of snow, cold and cause!

Using Your Brand to Create a Movement

The long-term success of any community initiative (nonprofit or corporate!) depends on a critical mass of like-minded people—supporters who feel a sense of connection and are inspired by the organization’s mission and values.  To breakthrough an organization cannot be all things to all people. So instead, it spends time making sure that it is offering the right things to the right people.

Standard Life: Standing for Something

Internal and external pressures are demanding that pure profits can no longer be the sole motivator for business. Rather than just traditional wealth creation, business has the opportunity to use its scale, resources, and innovation imperative to be a catalyst for a better world and to reinvigorate and empower business at the same time.Standard Life engaged JS Daw & Associates to help strengthen and deepen its existing community investment (CI) program.