More From Mad Men on CSR

Two years ago, Burt Cooper advised Don Draper that "philanthropy is the gateway to power." Last night, Mad Men struck again! Ad man Ken Cosgrove made the case for pro bono service.

In the episode called "Blowing Smoke," the firm of Sterling, Cooper, Draper, and Price had just lost it's largest client--Lucky Strike. The firm was completely jeopardized by this loss of business. Clients were bailing, the firm was laying off staff, and no company wanted to sign onto this sinking business.

Yet, the American Cancer Society contacted the firm to request pro bono work. While a couple of partners scoffed at the idea of "doing work for free," partner Don Draper recognized the opportunity to put the firm's work out there, build morale, and keep things moving forward. And ad man Ken Cosgrove chimed in that "there's a lot of big wigs on that board!"

During good times as well as bad, here are reasons for companies to engage in and ramp up pro bono service:

For continuation, go to Fast Company...http://bit.ly/cw1Fvm

Korngold Consulting LLC assists corporations in building fully integrated, high-impact CSR strategies, including leadership development through nonprofit board service.  Korngold Consulting trains and places business executives on nonprofit boards, and consults to nonprofit boards and leaders to strengthen governance for financial and strategic success.

KORNGOLD9659