Technology and Cause Marketing

Short text codes are pretty common these days where marketers invite you to text a message to a short number in exchange for offers, updates, etc.

While many of us are reluctant to invite marketers to reachus on our mobile phones, the short code does make certain things quick, easy and impulsive.

In wake of the Haitian crisis, the American Red Cross initiated an emergency relief campaign in which people were asked to donate $10 to Red Cross International Relief simply by texting "Haiti" to the short code 90999.

As of Friday, January 15, approximately 520,000 Americans had used the text campaign to donate $5.2 million for Haitian relief efforts with more coming in!

I can't help but believe that a good chunk of this success is the direct result of the simplicity of the donation process and fully commend the American Red Cross for this great campaign.

Let's keep those donations coming - those $10 add up really quick when we all work together towards the goal of helping those in need.

Listening to the customer... a great practice!

I've never liked Domino's pizza. It tastes completely manufactured with nothing fresh or real-tasting about it. Apparently I'm not alone.

Domino's recently launched a new ad campaign and website called PizzaTurnaround.com. The whole premise is that they asked consumers to provide candid feedback on their pizza and that the results weren't good.

Committed to change, Domino's has apparently changed their recipes to offer customers a better, fresher tasting pizza that addresses their concerns - and they want everyone to know it.

The entire campaign basically focuses on one key message: You spoke. We listened. Give us a try.

This campaign is enough for me to want to give Domino's a second chance, if for no other reason to see if there's been any improvement. I'm pretty certain that many people will do the same out of curiosity.

Kudos to Domino's for engaging their consumers and adapting their product to be more desirable. Too often do marketers try to convince consumers that their product is great rather than accepting criticism.

I think that this move will help Domino's regain some lost share and even pick up some new customers along the way.