HARNESSING THE POWER OF ONLINE FANS, THE BRANDS OF NBCU
ENCOURAGE CONSUMERS TO TAKE SIMPLE GREEN ACTIONS
New “Green is Universal” Facebook Application To Launch Nov. 7
NEW YORK – November 4, 2010 – Harnessing the power of their enormous online fan base, the brands of NBC Universal will activate consumers to adopt green habits through “Make Green Count” — a new “Green is Universal” (GIU) Facebook application. Kicking off November 7th for one month on GIU’s Facebook page, consumers will have the opportunity to join their favorite NBCU brand to pledge to change a part of their daily routine and positively impact the environment. For example, users will be encouraged to “power down your computer” with USA Network, “share a green story” with NBC News, “wash your clothes in cold water” with Bravo, or “use a reusable shopping bag” with iVillage.
“We are excited to tap the power of the NBCU brands and today’s new media to help make a positive impact on the environment,” said Beth Colleton, VP of Green is Universal. “Offering an easy way for consumers to add their green stories and commitments into their social networking rhythm, this application is also a great tool to help spread and expand the green dialogue on the web.”
For certain green pledges, consumers will be rewarded coupons to support their environmental efforts. For example, if users pledge to power down their computers with USA Network, they will receive a coupon for 20% off of a “smart” power strip from Buygreen.com. Users can also take a personal “How Green Are You” quiz, which produces a customized assessment of their current commitment to green. The quiz covers categories such as personal care products, water and energy utilities as well as groceries, and then suggests specific actions and behaviors to live more sustainably.
Participants will also earn “green points” for every pledge they make to help raise money for charity. GIU is partnering with Practically Green to calculate the impact of each pledge. The greater the pledges’ environmental benefits, the higher the points allotted. Once participants collectively earn 100,000 green points, GIU will donate $10,000 to the Nature Conservancy’s Fund for Gulf Coast Restoration.
“We are thrilled to partner with Green is Universal on such a worthwhile, smart and creative program,” said Susan Hunt Stevens, Founder and CEO of Practically Green. “It’s one thing to ask people to wash their clothes in cold water, but giving consumers a tool that both shares their pledge behaviors and reduces the cost of a green lifestyle, adds incentive and provides a reward for acting more environmentally responsible.”
Throughout the week, consumers will be directed to the Green is Universal Facebook page through on-air promotions, snipes and online banners across NBC Universal properties.
GIU worked with Buddy Media, a leading creator of user engagement tools for Facebook, to build the “Make Green Count” application.
To keep track of green points, make your pledge, or receive your personal green assessment, check out www.facebook.com/greenisuniversal.
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Media Contact:
Meredith Feiner/NBC Universal/meredith.feiner@nbcuni.com/212.664.5191
