1. Chrome for a Cause Raises $1 Million in 5 days
One of the most recent campaigns launched by Google – Chrome for a Cause – has raised over $1 million on behalf of Google’s partner charities. From December 15th to 19th, web users who downloaded the extension opened more than 60 million tabs total in order to raise funds. At the end of each day, a Chrome user could donate their opened tabs to one of five causes. We thought that maybe a picture could explain it better:
Courtesy of The Nature Conservancy
Did you donate a tab on the Chrome extension?
2. Celebrities’ Internet “Deaths” Raise $1 Million for Charity
Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake, Usher, Alicia Keys, Ryan Seacrest, Kim and Khloe Kardashian, Jennifer Hudson, and Serena Williams were some of the celebrities who “died” in the name of charity on December 1st during World AIDS Day.
The celebrities, who obviously did not literally die, had asked fans and followers to donate to Alicia Keys’ Keep a Child Alive foundation in a move to try and re-invigorate the foundation’s presence online. Only by the $1 Million mark would they then come back online and start Tweeting again. However, six days later, the celebrities had only managed to raise half and were “dying” to get back online.
Let down by their followers, the celebrities enlisted Stewart Rahr (a billionaire pharmaceutical executive) to donate the remaining $500,000 needed to reach the goal. The campaign wasn’t entirely successful on the followers’ front, but the foundation still managed to raise $1 Million to provide treatment and help support families affected by HIV/AIDS. This social media campaign also refocused attention on whether celebrities really have authority and power online, what do you think? We want to hear your opinion on whether you listen or skip what celebrities have to say on Twitter.
3. Mozilla Adopts 2 Real Firefox Cubs
Mozilla are the new proud owners of two Red Pandas (a.k.a. Firefox) in an effort to raise awareness about the endangered species. Born in Tennessee at the Knoxville Zoo, the two Red Pandas can be viewed on a 24-hour live video webcam provided by the non-profit creator of Firefox.
Mozilla has also provided the two cubs with a mircosite and a Twitter handle where visitors can suggest names and help raise funds for the conservation of the species. A jungle gym has also been mentioned if Firefox 4 downloads reach a certain undetermined number. Mozilla’s campaign takes full advantage of a great viral trick, cute animals, to both help endangered species and spread their best-known product: Firefox.
This blog post was provided by Br