Super Bowl Ads are #OnAMission with Cause Marketing

According to Variety.com, Super Bowl 2015 viewership was the highest it's ever been, with just over 114 million viewers throughout the game. No doubt a large number of viewers actually were into the tight-scoring game that was a nail biter on both sides the entire game.

But for the rest of us, it was all about the commercials. Many people had their own personal favorites, but what was most surprising was that there were a few standout causes that were reflected, both from a PSA and a corporate brand.

The NFL's ad agency produced the PSA from NoMore.org, that brings you into a domestic violence 911 call, where a dispatcher discovers the caller is placing a make-believe pizza delivery order as a cover up for a real emergency call. Putting yourself in the shoes of this woman is chilling enough to give anyone goosebumps. Here's the PSA now:



Perhaps the most shocking cause-related ad was by Nationwide, which shows a little boy who states he will never grow up to live a myriad of situations such as riding a bike or getting married because he drowned in his bath tub. This ad received a lot of negative feedback from social media as too dark and depressing. Yet according to Nationwide: "Preventable injuries around the home are the leading cause of childhood deaths in America. Most people don't know that. Nationwide ran an ad during the Super Bowl that started a fierce conversation. The sole purpose of this message was to start a conversation, not sell insurance."



And overall there was an increase in "feel good" ads around dads being good dads, such as this Nissan commercial set to Cats in the Cradle. My personal favorite commercial was the heartwarming #BestBuds by Budweiser, which is no surprise considering my love for puppies!

What was your favorite Super Bowl 2015 commercial? Share in the comments section below.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014 is International BRA Day, which stands for Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day. Appropriately falling within Breast Cancer Awareness Month, this day promotes education, awareness and access to post-mastectomy breast reconstruction. In South Florida, the Physician’s Institute of Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery and the Memorial Cancer Institute are helping to support and raise awareness for breast cancer and breast reconstruction with BRA Day 2014, a cocktail fundraising event at the Historic Needham Estate in Fort Lauderdale.

Prior BRA Day events hosted by Physician’s Institute have featured celebrity guests, and this year’s event is no different. Dan Marino, who is highly involved in serving the local South Florida community, is the guest of honor and will be speaking. In addition to cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, guests can purchase raffle tickets to win sports memorabilia, luxury items from Chanel Boutique in Bal Harbour, and other items.

Funds raised at the event will benefit The Roslyn L. Weiser Memorial Foundation, a breast reconstruction awareness foundation. The foundation provides emotional and financial support to women who have endured and survived breast cancer treatment. It raises funds for the Memorial Cancer Institute, Pink Angels of Memorial Foundation and the Breast Reconstruction Awareness Fund of the Plastic Surgery Foundation.

BRA Day 2013 with Dr. Jonathan Weiser, Brooke Baker, Alexia Acheverria and Dr. Craig Uecker (Photo Credit: PhysiciansInstitute.info)

Roslyn L. Weiser, late mother of Physician’s Institute founder Dr. Jonathan Weiser, was a two-time breast cancer survivor. Roslyn underwent her first mastectomy at age 45 and a second at age 57, leaving her with deformities she tried to hide the rest of her life. Breast reconstruction had not yet evolved and no adequate procedures were available. Victims of breast cancer not only had to endure a mastectomy, but also its debilitating cosmetic effects. Dr. Weiser remembers his mother’s discomfort and sense of shame.

Now a board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Weiser experiences the miracles of plastic surgery first-hand. “I get to live that feeling every day, knowing that I can help women like my mother feel whole again,” said Dr. Weiser.

The Roslyn L. Weiser Memorial Foundation is a non-profit organization. that provides financial support to women in need of breast reconstruction. All proceeds donated to the
Foundation benefit patients who are eligible for breast reconstruction, but are unable to secure financial support and patients who need chemotherapy, radiation, hormonal therapy, lymphedema therapy, physical therapy, prosthetic bras, wigs, and other forms of treatment or recovery services. The Foundation also assists in financing emotional support for those affected by breast-related issues. Online donations are accepted here.

(Photo Credit: Historic Needham Estate)

WHEN: October, 15, 2014 from  6:30 – 9 p.m.

WHERE:
Historic Needham Estate
828 SE 4^th St.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301
Ph. 800-689-2359

TICKETS: $125 per person for general admission to the cocktail reception. Sponsorship packages are also available. Click here to purchase tickets and sponsorship packages

Form 1023-EZ Makes It Easier to File Non-Profit Tax Exemption

Stop the nonprofit presses! There is now a new, simpler process for new and small charities to apply for tax-exempt status. On July 1, the IRS introduced Form 1023-EZ, which is a shorter, streamlined application form helping charities apply for 501(c)(3) status.

In light of the change, IRS Commissioner John Koskinen said, “This is a common-sense approach that will help reduce lengthy processing delays for small tax-exempt groups and ultimately larger organizations as well. The change cuts paperwork for these charitable groups and speeds application processing so they can focus on their important work." [quoted in article on CPA Practice Advisor]

Rather than the standard 26-page original Form 1023, the new Form 1023-EZ, is just so easy and only 3 pages long. Most small and new organizations, including as many as 70 percent of all applicants, qualify to use this new streamlined form. Following feedback this spring from the tax community and those working with charitable groups, the IRS refined the 1023-EZ proposal, including revising the $50,000 gross receipts threshold down from an earlier figure of $200,000. There are some other specific requirements to be eligible, apart from gross receipts and assets, for example your organization cannot be a Limited Liability Corporation (LLC).

This change will hopefully allow the IRS to speed the approval process for smaller groups and free up resources to review applications from larger, more complex organizations thereby reducing the application backlog. Currently, the IRS has more than 60,000 501(c)(3) applications in its backlog, with many of them pending for nine or more months. Previously, all of these groups went through the same lengthy application process--regardless of size, Koskinen said. "It didn't matter if you were a small soccer or gardening club or a major research organization. This process created needlessly long delays for groups, which didn’t help the groups, the taxpaying public or the IRS,” he said.

The new EZ form must be filed online. The instructions include an eligibility checklist that organizations must complete before filing the form. The Form 1023-EZ must be filed using pay.gov, and a $400 user fee is due at the time the form is submitted. For more information, check out the Revenue Procedures which were just posted here.

Okay, Missionpreneurs...now may just be the time to support or create the cause you've always been passionate about!

Do you plan to use the Form 1023-EZ? We'd love to hear from you!

Six Ways to Empower Your New Year

We all get trapped in the flurry of holiday parties, shopping and travel arrangements at this time. It can be quite time consuming and stressful to get it all done. We may even forget about the important things in our lives.

That's why I propose you try the following suggestions before the New Year. It will help you wrap up this year on a high note, and start the right path in the New Year:

1. De-Clutter: This refers to your home, car, purse or life in general! The Chinese technique Feng Shui, teaches that clutter is a major cause of chaos, sickness and stress in our lives, and it constricts the flow of energy. Try winter cleaning--dump those old papers, broken appliances and unused trinkets. According to my sister Annette, an Ayurvedic Educator, it is best to do this during the full moon period (now until December 24!) per Kabbalistic teaching. So get a headstart now!

2. Let Go of Old Baggage: Similar to clutter, holding on to baggage can restrict our energy flow and keep us from moving forward. Forgive those that have hurt you, ask for forgiveness and let go of past grievances or mistakes. Whatever you're holding on to, is it really worth it? You'll feel much better when you lift the weight and move on!

3. Reflect on 2011: Think back on the year--have you been leading the life you want and fulfilling your purpose? What did you do right this year? Remember to celebrate those accomplishments! Did you have any difficult experiences? If you haven't done so yet, turn these into positive opportunities to grow and learn.  

4. Set 2012 Goals: About a week ago I gave some guidelines for setting goals. I challenge you to have one or two HUGE "Masterpiece" goals that stretch you out of your comfort zone and get you to aim high in 2012. If you need a bit more assistance, download my free "Sketch Your Goals" Guide for making 2012 your best year ever!

5. Rest and Recharge: I know it may be difficult this time of year, but try to take at least a couple of days to do NOTHING. That rest period may be the perfect time to reflect, let go of the past and set goals.

6. Give Back: Make it a point to give during this holiday time. You can donate a few dollars to a cause you care about (such as an arts charity like Artista Foundation), donate your clothes to a Salvation Army drop off, or donate your time to a local soup kitchen or orphanage. It is a wonderful feeling helping others, and you will receive way more in return! 

Do you have any other suggestions to empower you into 2012? I'd love to hear them! 

For more guidance on setting goals, creating a plan for action and leading your best life, check out Sculpt Your Life From Sketch to Masterpiece(TM). This e-book program presents 12 strategies for success and is designed to motivate you to increase your productivity, reach your goals and ultimately fulfill your purpose! Plus it's a great holiday gift!

For more FREE tips and strategies and to get instant access to the "12 Secrets to Success Strategies" video with more great insight from Sculpt Your Life From Sketch to Masterpiece(TM), sign up now:

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