Hershey Cause: Communications as a Social Venture

Hershey Cause Communications is a hybrid social venture, based in Los Angeles, that unified its nonprofit side with its certified B Corporation on August 7, 2013.  As a B Corporation, Hersey Cause Communications provides a higher level of transparency, accountability, and performance.  Hershey Cause Communications has worked with over 20,000 nonprofit leaders in 25 countries and on 6 continents and work on behalf of companies, foundations, public sector, and nonprofits to create positive social change through cause marketing and communications.  The idea to combine the two sides of the organization into one brand was inspired when founder, R. Christine Hershey, realized that Hershey Cause Communication’s clients come to the organization because of their commitment to social change and their strategic marketing skills.  An integrated approach provides the strongest asset to their clients.

This organization not only works as a launching point for social change, but also works as an incubator to carry these projects through.  Hershey Cause Communications supports nonprofits through training, individualized coaching, media training and storytelling workshops.  By understanding the needs of their clients, this organization is attempting to provide the most needed tools to agents working for social change.  Their strategy is human-centered when it comes to the strategies used to cater to nonprofits.  Hershey Cause Communications is interesting because they are a self-named social venture that works to support social good through other organizations.  It’s a lofty mission and working as both a business and a nonprofit can be complicated in terms of the organization’s own motivations and invested interest in a third party’s project.  Through the training provided through their organization serves as a method to strive for the sustainability and fulfillment of the projects proposed by their clients, Hershey Cause Communications’ strategy could be contributing positively to social change. 

Are organizations like Hershey Cause Communications the answer to the development of future social ventures that may not have enough manpower to support themselves initially?  In a field that is fueled by the drive for social change, is it beneficial to have an established organization to partner with who may or may not have the exact motivation as you may have?

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hershey-cause-communications-rebrands-as-hybrid-social-venture-celebrates-36-years-of-cause-marketing-leadership-218714581.html

http://www.hersheycause.com/hershey-cause-communications-relaunches-as-one-brand/