Procter & Gamble and UNICEF Top Honorees at 2012 Cause Marketing Forum Conference

(3BL Media / theCSRfeed) Rye, NY - December 19, 2011 - The Cause Marketing Golden Halo Award, the highest honor for companies and causes that collaborate to produce business and social dividends, will be bestowed on Procter & Gamble and UNICEF at the 2012 Cause Marketing Forum conference.

The awards will be accepted by Procter & Gamble Group President for North America Melanie Healey and U.S. Fund for UNICEF President & CEO Caryl M. Stern, each of whom will deliver a keynote speech at the largest international gathering of cause marketing professionals.   A cause marketing pioneer for more than three decades, Procter & Gamble focuses its social investments on supporting disadvantaged youth and providing relief when disaster strikes.  Children’s safe drinking water, maternal vaccinations and educational access are just three of the many issues tackled by the company and its megabrands.   In her acceptance speech, Healey will describe how the adoption of a “Purpose Driven” philosophy has enabled Procter & Gamble to prosper while touching and improving lives around the globe.   UNICEF’s corporate partnerships provide essential resources for the organization’s work in more than 150 countries to help children survive and thrive.  With partners such as IKEA, Gucci, ING, Procter & Gamble, Starwood, and FC Barcelona, UNICEF has pioneered the development of signature global and U.S. initiatives such as the iconic “Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF” campaign.  In her acceptance speech, Stern will share insights into building impactful partnerships that advance UNICEF’s mission and deliver business results for companies and brands around the world.   The announcement of these honors coincides with the release of the program for the 10^th annual Cause Marketing Forum conference to be held on May 30 & 31 at the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Chicago.   Details are available at www.causemarketingforum.com   Conference highlights include presentations on:

• The Great Breast Cancer Debate

• Gaming for Good

• Bridging the Corporate Social Responsibilty/Cause Marketing Divide

• Cause Marketing Innovation, Legal Issues, Social Media Strategy and much more

  Among the many companies and nonprofits represented on the conference faculty are Accion, Ann Taylor, Avon Products, Boston Beer Company, Campbell Soup Company, Coca-Cola, DoSomething.org, Huffington Post, jcpenney, March of Dimes, Network for Good, New Balance, Oxfam, ReBuilding Together, Sanofi Pasteur, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, World Wildlife Fund, Yum! Brands and Zynga.   Cause Marketing Forum, Inc., producer of the Cause Marketing Forum conference and Cause Marketing Halo Awards, helps business and nonprofit executives succeed together by providing practical information and inspiration, opportunities to build valuable relationships and recognition for outstanding work.   A wealth of information on cause marketing and CMF’s offerings can be found at www.causemarketingforum.com   CMF19685