The familiar adage of "the cobbler's children are the last to get new shoes" rings deep here at Auction Cause. We have been so busy with designing our cause marketing campaigns for clients, we did not exactly put our own site to the top of the design list.
Under the direction of our EVP Jody Stange, we created a much more visual experience, showcasing some of the fun charity projects we have live, coming up, and completed. Many people have asked if there is an easy way to see some of our best celebrity videos and we obliged - now you can see Ludacris with "Blizzard Man", Kim Kardashian, Faith Hill & Tim McGraw, Tony Hawk, and many more, discusing their eBay auctions.
We very much want to hear what you want to see up for auction. Communicate with us via Twitter, Facebook, or just email us your ideas.
There are some really special auctions coming up in April and May we cannot announce yet, so please check back soon.
Bring charities, brands, and celebrities together in unique ways is what we do and love. We are thrilled to help our customers learn about great causes and donate significantly to them via an auction win on eBay. At the end of the day, cause marketing makes everyone feel great, which is a breath of fresh air in the challenging times the world finds itself in.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
How much should a celebrity give?
We often ask ourselves this question. There seems to be a perception that if you are famous, you must be wealthy, and as such, everything you do business wise should be 100% to a nonprofit.
On eBay, we often run campaigns where 10% goes to a cause. The cynical can look at this as greed or a less than authentic attempt to give back. My take is a bit more bottom line - If their auctions raise $50,000 for a cause, 10% is $5000, which is a nice chunk of change for anyone nonprofit to receive.
Beyond the % that is given, what about the free publicity for the cause? We link to the non profit's website and also provide easy ways for people to donate to them via Paypal. While we have not measured the publicity scientifically, we do see many people clicking through and getting excited to connect to a cause their favorite celebrity also supports.
It is also interesting to note that there is the perception that celebrities get all their possessions as "swag" at events. While they certainly do seem to get loaded up in ways the rest of us can only dream with products, they buy plenty of things too. Most people just have yard sales, sell for pure profit on eBay, or drop off at a thrift store, so celebrities who put items up on eBay with any amount to a cause is ahead at charitable giving compared to most we feel.
Speaking of giving, we are thrilled to be working once again with Kim Kardashian and her "Kim's Closet" auction. She just recorded her latest video for it too. Kim, as many know, has been buying and selling on eBay for years. She has sold through Auction Cause about 2500 items in the last 12 months, and with the whole family included in the closet cleaning, we have over 1000 new items to list starting in the next week. Please be sure to visit eBay.com/kimscloset to see her video as well as the new items when they are live.
On eBay, we often run campaigns where 10% goes to a cause. The cynical can look at this as greed or a less than authentic attempt to give back. My take is a bit more bottom line - If their auctions raise $50,000 for a cause, 10% is $5000, which is a nice chunk of change for anyone nonprofit to receive.
Beyond the % that is given, what about the free publicity for the cause? We link to the non profit's website and also provide easy ways for people to donate to them via Paypal. While we have not measured the publicity scientifically, we do see many people clicking through and getting excited to connect to a cause their favorite celebrity also supports.
It is also interesting to note that there is the perception that celebrities get all their possessions as "swag" at events. While they certainly do seem to get loaded up in ways the rest of us can only dream with products, they buy plenty of things too. Most people just have yard sales, sell for pure profit on eBay, or drop off at a thrift store, so celebrities who put items up on eBay with any amount to a cause is ahead at charitable giving compared to most we feel.
Speaking of giving, we are thrilled to be working once again with Kim Kardashian and her "Kim's Closet" auction. She just recorded her latest video for it too. Kim, as many know, has been buying and selling on eBay for years. She has sold through Auction Cause about 2500 items in the last 12 months, and with the whole family included in the closet cleaning, we have over 1000 new items to list starting in the next week. Please be sure to visit eBay.com/kimscloset to see her video as well as the new items when they are live.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Latest chatter on our eBay cause marketing and branding campaigns
It is an interesting time to say the least on eBay. There have been a lot of changes coming down the pipe there, with more of an emphasis on fixed price offerings than the traditional auction format. We continue to run campaigns in both formats and each has its benefits.
Our current fixed price offering is for The Larry King Cardiac Foundation and a heart stent surgery. The winner will get a personal phone call from Larry King to thank them for their donation and let them know more about his personal work and experience with cardiovascular disease. We are not allowed to auction medical treatments on eBay so the $2500 buy it now fixed price is techinically for the phone call. The foundation is also promoting its party in a box concept on their Larry King & Friends site. Soon to launch will be the chance to visit Larry on the set of Larry King Live and win his famous suspenders. Visit the page now to learn more.
More traditional auctions which are live now include:
Allen Houston basketball experience - learn from one of the all time Knicks greats, play some horse, chat about the NBA, and then hit the Garden with him to see the Knicks take on the Hawks from behind the Knicks bench. Proceeds to benefit Allen's own foundation too. We love the way the experience has a personal connection to the charity - a crucial aspect to authentic cause marketing campaigns for celebrities as well as brands!
L'Oreal Paris keeps the fun going with their amethyst and rhodalite compact, in honor of the Academy Awards. As a sponsor of numerous award shows, and supporter of women's health at the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, L'Oreal Paris has made sure their name is front and center and in the minds of consumers who are shopping with the 4th awards show themed compact. See this beautiful piece here and visit the listing to bid.
Celine Dion and her spiral staircase from her hit Las Vegas show at Caesar's is perhaps one of the larges items we have had the pleasure of listing on eBay. 15 feet high, it is a showpiece that can take on the marketing tasks for the restaurant, bar, museum, or club which purchases it. Yes, we do have someone who can ship it!
Right to Play helps bring sports to the lives of children in some of the most challenging places on earth. We often forget that beind the famine and wars, there are kids who may not know what it feels like to just partake in sports. You can help change that along with hockey greats. Starting with a Harley-Davidson donated by Boston Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference, a Poker Table from Steve Montador, a game used hockey stick from Daniel Alfredsson and many other NHL items. Visit now to see a video from Andrew Ference and bid.
We love this one - interact in a very personal way with some of the best known and loved celebrities in the world and raise funds for International Medical Corpos. Winners get to have their outgoing voicemail or answering machine message recorded by stars such as: Ben Affleck, Courteney Cox & David Arquette, Hank Azaria, Elizabeth Banks, Matt Cassel, Sacha Baron Cohen, Cindy Crawford, Billy Crystal, Marshall Faulk, Isla Fisher, Jennifer Garner, and Felicity Huffman. Plus, bid on a walk-on role in Jerry Bruckheimer's hit show CSI: NY, a House of Blues Foundation Room gold membership, or a makeover by Stylist to the Stars Anya Sarre. Visit the auction here.
The power of celebrity to draw attention to a cause or brand and at the same time allow a fan to obtain the item or experience of a lifetime is extremely powerful as we have seen.
Universal Music is a client that has been committed to causes such as City of Hope, VH1 Save The Music, and TJ Martell through various high profile experience and product auctions around the music industry.
Here are the current music memorabilia auctions
Autographed Jon Bon Jovi Fender Stratocaster Guitar
All proceeds benefit The T.J. Martell Foundation
Autographed Maroon 5 Fender Squire Stratocaster Guitar
All proceeds benefit The T.J. Martell Foundation
Fender Stratocaster Guitar Signed by 3 Doors Down
All proceeds benefit The T.J. Martell Foundation
Autographed Nickelback Fender Stratocaster Guitar
All proceeds benefit The T.J. Martell Foundation
Kelly Clarkson autographed "My December" CD
All proceeds benefit The T.J. Martell Foundation
Kings of Leon autographed "Youth & Young Manhood" CD
All proceeds benefit The T.J. Martell Foundation
Leona Lewis Autographed "Bleeding Love" CD
All proceeds benefit The T.J. Martell Foundation
Sarah McLachlan Autographed "Afterglow" CD
All proceeds benefit The T.J. Martell Foundation
Avril Lavigne Autographed 5x7 Photo
All proceeds benefit The T.J. Martell Foundation
Katherine McPhee Autographed 8x10 Photo
All proceeds benefit The T.J. Martell Foundation
Visit http://stores.ebay.com/Universal-Music-Store to see them all.
Last but not least, Evangeline Lilly of Lost has come up with a great way to support the work to end Brazilian Favelas and share her luxury lingerie with consumers. Visit http://cgi3.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=evangeline-lilly-r*favela-lingerie
Be sure to visit us at Facebook to learn more about Auction Cause and alerts on the latest cause marketing campaigns
Thursday, February 12, 2009
I think I Could, I Think I Could.....
Two fun cause marketing campaigns on eBay to feature this week:
Universal Pictures has teamed up with Starlight to offer a really unique opportunity - you or a child can get to do a voiceover for the film The Little Engine That Could in Los Angeles coming up in March. You will be forever part of film history and even get a framed illustration of the character you did the voice over for!
Keeping it in the Universal family, Universal Music Store is at it again with some amazing music related auctions to support The City of Hope and their medical services:
2008 Grammys Gift Bag: Jacket, Cap, CDs, Program +More!
Rock Star for a Day! Recording Session w/ Elliot Mazer
Airfare to/from NYC included! Charity Auction
Taylor Swift Autographed Photo & "Fearless" CD + More!
We like to see campaigns with various price points on eBay so that fans and supporters can take part at whatever level they can afford. Traffic to our eBay auctions shows that these campaigns resonate far and wide, with bloggers, the media, and the Twitter world taking it upon themselves to promote for the cause, the brand, and of course the item/experience being offered.
Starlight continues to run their campaign for Coraline now too, with fans driving key props from the movie now to over $6500. Even Teri Hatcher's purse which she generously donated has been receiving a lot of attention.
Next week - how does International Medical Corps tap their celebrity supporters for a feel good auction that allows personal interaction with their fans?
Universal Pictures has teamed up with Starlight to offer a really unique opportunity - you or a child can get to do a voiceover for the film The Little Engine That Could in Los Angeles coming up in March. You will be forever part of film history and even get a framed illustration of the character you did the voice over for!
Keeping it in the Universal family, Universal Music Store is at it again with some amazing music related auctions to support The City of Hope and their medical services:
2008 Grammys Gift Bag: Jacket, Cap, CDs, Program +More!
Rock Star for a Day! Recording Session w/ Elliot Mazer
Airfare to/from NYC included! Charity Auction
Taylor Swift Autographed Photo & "Fearless" CD + More!
We like to see campaigns with various price points on eBay so that fans and supporters can take part at whatever level they can afford. Traffic to our eBay auctions shows that these campaigns resonate far and wide, with bloggers, the media, and the Twitter world taking it upon themselves to promote for the cause, the brand, and of course the item/experience being offered.
Starlight continues to run their campaign for Coraline now too, with fans driving key props from the movie now to over $6500. Even Teri Hatcher's purse which she generously donated has been receiving a lot of attention.
Next week - how does International Medical Corps tap their celebrity supporters for a feel good auction that allows personal interaction with their fans?
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Magic, Movies & Hello Kitty on eBay
I always enjoyed magic as a kid. Like everyone, the fun was trying to guess how they did it, but the good magicians were so adept at deception, their tricks never seemed to be revealed. Danny Gans, of Las Vegas fame, is one of the world's greatest magicians year after year. He was a guest on the Bonnie Hunt Show recently and offered up a great charity auction package - r/t air from anywhere in the U.S. to go 2/6 to Las Vegas, 2 nights in a luxury suite at Steve Wynn's Encore, plus tickets to his gala and party. They gave us only 3 days' time to have it on eBay, so someone is going to get a great deal as this is only at $2000 so far as I write this. Click here to see the auction and watch a Danny Gans video clip from the show.
In case you have not been watching TV, or paying attention to billboard ads, Neil Gaiman's hit book Coraline is a new movie that is causing quite a buzz. Staring Teri Hatcher and Dakota Fanning, it is the story of a girl wishing for a different family. Proceeds from the auction to benefit Starlight, a children's charity that everyone should know about. We have a number of items from the film, including key props (this puppet is amazing!) and some artwork of serious collector value. Here is a raw list of the items and current prices at time of writing the blog:
Coraline Handcrafted Animation Puppet Prop Used in Film
400029122359
Coraline Handcrafted Other Mr. Bobinsky’s Circus Mouse
400029122988
Coraline Handcrafted Other Mr. Bobinsky’s Circus Mouse
400029123224
Coraline Handcrafted Other Mr. Bobinsky’s Circus Mouse
400029124265
Original 11" Resin-cast Maquette (Statue) of Coraline
400029125417
Original Maquette (Statue) of Mother from Coraline
400029125881
Original Maquette (Statue) of Father from Coraline
400029127245
Tadahiro Uesugi Framed Coraline Ghost Children Print
400029127721
Tadahiro Uesugi Framed Coraline "Pink Palace" Print
400029130826
Coraline Box #41/50 with Handcrafted Collectible Relics
400029203778
Teri Hatcher Juicy Couture Purse Package w/ Autographs!
As one can see, just some one of a kind/hard to find pieces which fans are going to love. Check it out at the above links or see all the auctions by clicking here.
Here is an early alert to an auction we expect a lot of buzz(or at least purring!) around. MAC Cosmetics has teamed up with Hello Kitty around a line of cosmetics. To help kick it off, MAC got 30 of the top fashion designers in the world to create Hello Kitty themed dresses. These will be shown durng Fashion Week n NYC 2/6, and then put up for auction on eBay starting February 9th. I got a sneak peak at the designs last week and could not believe how creative and exciting they were. This is coming from a guy whose last interaction with Hello Kitty was puffy stickers in the 4th grade way too long ago! This auction is not to be missed. We cannot post the photos of the dresses quite yet, but click here to see the preview page and remember the URL http://www.ebay.com/machellokitty for access to them 2/9 - 2/19.
Lots of exciting campaigns for brands and causes coming up. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter at http://www.auctioncause.com. You can also find us Twittering about eBay and auctions at http://www.twitter.com/auctioncause and on our Facebook fan page.
To learn more about using Auction Cause for your cause marketing campaigns, please call (323) 655-0554.
In case you have not been watching TV, or paying attention to billboard ads, Neil Gaiman's hit book Coraline is a new movie that is causing quite a buzz. Staring Teri Hatcher and Dakota Fanning, it is the story of a girl wishing for a different family. Proceeds from the auction to benefit Starlight, a children's charity that everyone should know about. We have a number of items from the film, including key props (this puppet is amazing!) and some artwork of serious collector value. Here is a raw list of the items and current prices at time of writing the blog:
Coraline Handcrafted Animation Puppet Prop Used in Film
400029122359
Coraline Handcrafted Other Mr. Bobinsky’s Circus Mouse
400029122988
Coraline Handcrafted Other Mr. Bobinsky’s Circus Mouse
400029123224
Coraline Handcrafted Other Mr. Bobinsky’s Circus Mouse
400029124265
Original 11" Resin-cast Maquette (Statue) of Coraline
400029125417
Original Maquette (Statue) of Mother from Coraline
400029125881
Original Maquette (Statue) of Father from Coraline
400029127245
Tadahiro Uesugi Framed Coraline Ghost Children Print
400029127721
Tadahiro Uesugi Framed Coraline "Pink Palace" Print
400029130826
Coraline Box #41/50 with Handcrafted Collectible Relics
400029203778
Teri Hatcher Juicy Couture Purse Package w/ Autographs!
As one can see, just some one of a kind/hard to find pieces which fans are going to love. Check it out at the above links or see all the auctions by clicking here.
Here is an early alert to an auction we expect a lot of buzz(or at least purring!) around. MAC Cosmetics has teamed up with Hello Kitty around a line of cosmetics. To help kick it off, MAC got 30 of the top fashion designers in the world to create Hello Kitty themed dresses. These will be shown durng Fashion Week n NYC 2/6, and then put up for auction on eBay starting February 9th. I got a sneak peak at the designs last week and could not believe how creative and exciting they were. This is coming from a guy whose last interaction with Hello Kitty was puffy stickers in the 4th grade way too long ago! This auction is not to be missed. We cannot post the photos of the dresses quite yet, but click here to see the preview page and remember the URL http://www.ebay.com/machellokitty for access to them 2/9 - 2/19.
Lots of exciting campaigns for brands and causes coming up. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter at http://www.auctioncause.com. You can also find us Twittering about eBay and auctions at http://www.twitter.com/auctioncause and on our Facebook fan page.
To learn more about using Auction Cause for your cause marketing campaigns, please call (323) 655-0554.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Evangeline Lilly & her lingerie taking eBay by storm for charity
Celebrities engage on different levels with eBay. Some donate a signed item, others have their own foundations they seek to benefit. We have a lovely actress now we are working with who is about as involved as you can get.
Evangeline Lilly is busy doing media for the new season of LOST, but has taken a charitable perspective with the interviews, seizing the moment to talk about her 2/1 eBay auction for her lingerie line, with part of the proceeds to benefit Task Brazil, a very special cause which seeks to help the kids get out of the favelas (slums) which were shown in the film City of God. On Tuesday 1/27, she talked about it on Good Morning America and then later on David Letterman, mentioning eBay Giving Works and Auction Cause too.
The auction is a series of listings of brand new high end lingerie, starting at 99 cents with no reserve. Evangeline hand signed a nice 8x10 color photo as well as signed a thank you letter, every winner gets both of these. She also took time out from her busy schedule to record a video about the auction and charity. You can see it on the auction site.
What a great way to encourage bidders, inform the public about an important cause, and market her lingerie. We hope everyone enjoys these great pieces. You can sign up now to be notified when it begins by entering your email address here.
Evangeline Lilly is busy doing media for the new season of LOST, but has taken a charitable perspective with the interviews, seizing the moment to talk about her 2/1 eBay auction for her lingerie line, with part of the proceeds to benefit Task Brazil, a very special cause which seeks to help the kids get out of the favelas (slums) which were shown in the film City of God. On Tuesday 1/27, she talked about it on Good Morning America and then later on David Letterman, mentioning eBay Giving Works and Auction Cause too.
The auction is a series of listings of brand new high end lingerie, starting at 99 cents with no reserve. Evangeline hand signed a nice 8x10 color photo as well as signed a thank you letter, every winner gets both of these. She also took time out from her busy schedule to record a video about the auction and charity. You can see it on the auction site.
What a great way to encourage bidders, inform the public about an important cause, and market her lingerie. We hope everyone enjoys these great pieces. You can sign up now to be notified when it begins by entering your email address here.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
NY Knicks Legend Allan Houston Auction On eBay
Growing up as a kid, I thought when I made a great shot in a game of horse from the driveway in front of my house, I thought I could take on any NBA player. I am sure a lot of kids thought the same when they sunk that one incredible shot (once out of 10 times for most of us I bet!). Well, some lucky bidder is going to get that chance to spend some serious time with former Knicks great Allan Houston soon and get to find out what it is like to shoot against him.
To see the auction please click here.
It is a pretty unique auction for sure, far beyond just a lunch or dinner. This is what the winner gets:
Clinic for two (2) people at the Knicks practice facility in Tarrytown, NY (Westchester County) on Monday, February 2nd, 2009 where winning bidder plus guest will learn basketball shooting techniques from Allan Houston. Directly after the Clinic, test your skills against Allan and learn fun shooting games. Floor seats for two (2), sitting right next to Allan behind the bench as the NBA's best players attempt to make their own history at Madison Square Garden versus the L.A. Lakers (Monday, February 2nd, 2009).Travel arrangements to Madison Square Garden and the practice facility in Westchester Country are the responsibility of the winning bidder and his/her guest. Clinic at the Knicks practice facility will be hosted by Allan Houston and will last approximately 30-45 minutes with shooting games after the Clinic.
100% of the proceeds will go to the Allan Houston Legacy Foundation too. Can you imagine what it will be like after shooting hoops with Allan, you sit there on the floor at The Garden next to him, while the Knicks do battle against the Lakers?
We love this auction as a great example of a cause, celebrity, and auction all aligning perfectly. Basketball fans get to support a cause which was created by the player they get to interact with. How happy do you think Allan may be to meet the folks who just gave his cause a nice sum in order to get the experience with him?
This is also an ideal example of a worthy nonprofit marketing itself, creating branding, attracting new donors and supporters, and allowing their founder a way to give back in a meaningful way.
To see the auction please click here.
It is a pretty unique auction for sure, far beyond just a lunch or dinner. This is what the winner gets:
Clinic for two (2) people at the Knicks practice facility in Tarrytown, NY (Westchester County) on Monday, February 2nd, 2009 where winning bidder plus guest will learn basketball shooting techniques from Allan Houston. Directly after the Clinic, test your skills against Allan and learn fun shooting games. Floor seats for two (2), sitting right next to Allan behind the bench as the NBA's best players attempt to make their own history at Madison Square Garden versus the L.A. Lakers (Monday, February 2nd, 2009).Travel arrangements to Madison Square Garden and the practice facility in Westchester Country are the responsibility of the winning bidder and his/her guest. Clinic at the Knicks practice facility will be hosted by Allan Houston and will last approximately 30-45 minutes with shooting games after the Clinic.
100% of the proceeds will go to the Allan Houston Legacy Foundation too. Can you imagine what it will be like after shooting hoops with Allan, you sit there on the floor at The Garden next to him, while the Knicks do battle against the Lakers?We love this auction as a great example of a cause, celebrity, and auction all aligning perfectly. Basketball fans get to support a cause which was created by the player they get to interact with. How happy do you think Allan may be to meet the folks who just gave his cause a nice sum in order to get the experience with him?
This is also an ideal example of a worthy nonprofit marketing itself, creating branding, attracting new donors and supporters, and allowing their founder a way to give back in a meaningful way.
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