AOL 365 ‘Share Your Cause’ Contest Open For Submissions

(3BL Media / theCSRfeed) New York - March 16, 2011 - One cause initiative will win 24 hours of high-profile exposure on AOL.com as the grand prize of a contest launched by AOL and the Cause Marketing Forum. Nonprofits and their corporate partners have until April 15, 2011 to enter AOL 365 ‘Share Your Cause’ Contest.   AOL 365 is AOL’s initiative to highlight a new cause on AOL.com every day of the year. The winner will be announced at the Cause Marketing Forum annual conference taking place on June 1-3, 2011 in Chicago, IL. Full details and entry form are available at www.causemarketingforum.com/AOL.   “We’re excited to offer this opportunity to the Cause Marketing Forum community,” said David Hessekiel, president of the Cause Marketing Forum, Inc., a Rye, New York-based company that educates nonprofits and businesses on doing well by doing good together. “The AOL 365 program reflects the growing awareness among marketing and media pros that consumers are hungry for information on how businesses are giving back and how they personally can engage in cause-related activities.”    The AOL 365 ‘Share Your Cause’ Contest winner will have its message featured in a premium position on the AOL homepage for a day in 2011.   Thirteen million people visit AOL.com daily.*    “One of our core values at AOL is our commitment as an organization to empowering our users to connect and engage with worthy causes” said Blair Cobb, Head of AOL’s Cause Marketing & Partnership initiatives. “We are thrilled to partner with the Cause Marketing Forum on the launch of the AOL 365 platform as it demonstrates our commitment to nonprofits and their corporate partners by donating invaluable exposure on AOL.com to tell their stories and reach millions of consumers.   AOL 365 further reinforces AOL’s dedication to “giving back” by dedicating premium placement on AOL.com to garner exposure for nonprofits at no cost. AOL 365 connects users with charities, making it easy to get involved and spread awareness. Officially launching in April, visit http://365.aol.com for more information on AOL 365.   To enter, eligible nonprofit organizations, their cause marketing partners or representing agencies must submit their contact information and the following:

1. A short essay on how their cause-related initiative would leverage this exposure

2. Three lines of copy, logo and related link and an accompanying image they would like to feature on the AOL homepage

The contest opened on March 8, 2011 and runs through April 15, 2011. The winner will be selected by a panel of judges based on the power of the submitted essay, copy and image.     To submit an entry, view official rules and browse frequently asked questions, visit: http://www.CauseMarketingForum.com/AOL.   About AOL AOL Inc. (NYSE:AOL) is a leading global Web services company with an extensive suite of brands and offerings and a substantial worldwide audience. AOL's business spans online content, products and services that the company offers to consumers, publishers and advertisers. AOL is focused on attracting and engaging consumers and providing valuable online advertising services on both AOL's owned and operated properties and third-party websites. In addition, AOL operates one of the largest Internet subscription access services in the United States, which serves as a valuable distribution channel for AOL's consumer offerings.   About Cause Marketing Forum Since 2002, Cause Marking Forum’s events, online offerings and membership program have helped thousands of business and nonprofit executives gain the practical knowledge they need to succeed, make valuable connections, and honor outstanding accomplishments in the expanding field of cause marketing.

Each spring the CMF conference attracts hundreds of nonprofit and business executives from across the country and around the world to learn, network, and recognize the previous year’s best work at the Cause Marketing Halo Awards.   The industry’s leading website, www.CauseMarketingForum.com, offers free access to prodigious amounts of background information, statistics and case studies.

    *comScore Media Metrix February 2011