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Kudos to Disney for fostering volunteerism
By Lauren | September 30, 2009
The good thing about specializing in business ethics is that there’s always something to write about. The not so good thing is that, much of the time, the things there are to write about are … not so good. That’s why I’m always delighted when a company gives me reason to cheer.
So, three hip-hurrahs to the Disney Corporation for its latest promotional offer. Earlier this year, Disney announced that it would give people who registered online free admission to Disney World on their birthdays. It was a nice little promo, but not exactly dripping with public spirit. After all, few people go to Disney World alone, so by waiving a single admission fee for one day Disney practically guaranteed that it would get more familiies through its gates, enhancing its revenues without doing much to make the world a better place.
Next year, however, Disney has agreed to give a free day of admission to one million people who complete a day of volunteer service through the HandsOn Network. There are rules, of course; you still have to register with Disney online, and the HandsOn Network has to certify that you really put in the time before Mickey Mouse will wave you through the gates to the Magic Kingdom. Still, there are two great things about this promotion. It not only teaches kids that community spirit deserves to be rewarded, it practically guarantees that HandsOn Network will get a whole lot more help in the coming year. Disney will still make more money than it would have without the promotion, and local communities will benefit, too.
Way to go, Mickey!
Topics: Business Ethics, Lauren Recommends, Social Ethics, business communications, corporate responsibility, customer relations, ethics |
October 8th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
[...] presents Kudos to Disney for fostering volunteerism posted at The Business Ethics Blog, saying, “Free admission to Disney World for those who can [...]