By: Kelly Ahern, guest blogger

With crisis tearing across Japan it’s clear that the Japanese people need our help.

Their suffering and the tragedy that resulted from an unfathomable triple threat—earthquake, tsunami and now impending nuclear meltdown—has made each and every one of us re-evaluate our lives, what really matters and all that we have to be thankful for.

Reports state that the damages suffered by northern Japan have already reached a crippling level of over $100 billion U.S. dollars.

Thankfully, in this era of social media and “viral” news relief efforts have launched across the globe.

If branding has taught us anything it’s the simple fact that it certainly helps to have a strong brand backing any sort of initiative.

Using your brand do to “social good” employs a whole other element—not only does it convey to your community that you are genuine and compassionate, but it allows well-known brand names and celebrities to capitalize on their popularity by adding credibility and power to a worthy cause. [Read more...]