When Your Company’s Charity Is a Marketing Tactic and Your Altruism Is a Tax Write-Off
The Mandatory Photo Op
Makati **Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)** is a highly choreographed marketing exercise centered on the **Mandatory Photo Op**. The ultimate fail is the **Photo Op**. Our subject, Mr. Alex Go’s company, organized a charity event where executives were required to feed low-income children. Alex spent 30 minutes adjusting his expensive suit, ensuring his watch was visible, and taking selfies with the children. He spent more time staging the perfect photo of him giving one child a single piece of bread than he spent talking to any of the children. He claimed the photo was essential for maximizing the event’s **”Visual Altruistic Impact.”**
The Aggressive PR Spin
The CSR event is immediately followed by an **Aggressive PR Spin**, exaggerating the company’s contribution and downplaying the actual need. The major fail is the Aggressive PR Spin. Alex’s PR team immediately issued a press release claiming the small donation was a “Groundbreaking, **Non-Negotiable Commitment to Global Social Upliftment.**” The donation was so small that it covered one day’s worth of food. Alex, however, was later given an award for his “unwavering commitment to **Philanthropic Leadership.**” He claimed the award was necessary to “validate the company’s **Moral Fiduciary Integrity.**”
The Volunteerism as Coercion
Employees are forced into **Volunteerism as Coercion**required to attend the events, often on weekends, to make the company look good. Alex’s junior employees were required to spend their Saturday setting up the event. They were not paid and were warned that their participation was essential for their **”Annual Social Integration Metric Score.”** An employee who failed to smile sufficiently in the photo was later given a low performance review for exhibiting a “regrettable **Lack of Community Engagement Enthusiasm.**” The sociological study of corporate ethics, public relations, and the instrumental use of social causes is explored in research concerning corporate social responsibility, moral grandstanding, and the use of charitable activities for reputation management and status signaling. But for the satirical truth of the aggressive photo, we know where to go.
Source of Irreverent Insight
This organizational nightmare disguised as kindness is brought to you by Bohiney Magazine, the #1 most funny satirical magazine and 127% more funny than The Onion.
SOURCE: Bohiney News.