Filed under: Attitude & Aptitude, Corporate Evil, Crap Campaigns In History, Marketing Fail
So I was driving into work a few days ago when I heard MasterCard talk about their priceless causes campaign.
Apparently every year they choose a charity they are going to help and in a bid to raise money for them, they launch campaigns to try and get additional support from their customers.
OK, so you could argue this is a blatant attempt to look less like a bunch of money-hungry bastards, but it’s better than nothing, so we’ll let that pass.
But I’ll tell you what I won’t let pass and that’s them placing a limit on how much they are willing to donate.
Yep, even though they call this program ‘Priceless Causes’, the reality is they do have a price and in the case of their chosen charity, STAND UP TO CANCER, it’s 4 million dollars.
Oh it gets even worse than that …
First is the fact that 4 million is the maximum they’ll pay out and given the criteria they have stated to make a donation, there’s a chance they’ll get a way with a lot less.
Then there’s the fact their donations are directly linked to their customers spending [on their MasterCards of course] you could say every cent they hand over [and they’re literally giving 1 cent for every $10 spent] is coming from their customers pocket rather than theirs.
Why didn’t someone say anything?
Sure, the potential of 4 million dollars is a good thing … but apart from the fact the CEO of MasterCard was paid over $15 million dollars in 2015, it’s pretty shit to talk about ‘Priceless Causes’ and then put a price on it.
I should be happy about this campaign.
I should be glad a financial institution is doing something good for others.
And yet I’m left with the overwhelming impression that all they’re doing is stealing from the pockets of society. Again.
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I heard the radio ad for this campaign. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Hearing them place a financial or time limit on their commitment (whichever happened first) might be the coldest thing I’ve heard from a company in a long time.
Comment by Bazza July 28, 2017 @ 6:37 amShareholder values.
Comment by John July 28, 2017 @ 6:43 amFTW.
Comment by DH July 28, 2017 @ 7:00 amYep … that just about sums it up.
Comment by Rob July 28, 2017 @ 7:58 amon brand for a bunch of financial fucks.
Comment by andy@cynic July 28, 2017 @ 6:46 amYep. The most consistent category in the history of marketing practice.
Comment by Rob July 28, 2017 @ 8:00 amand the poor fucks at stand up to cancer have to smile and take it because 4 mill is a fortune to them and fuck all to those mastercard wankers. only a financial fuck would take advantage of cancer sufferers. hate the pricks.
Comment by andy@cynic July 28, 2017 @ 6:48 am4 million is a small price to pay for the PR value it gets them. Bet they tried everything they could to avoid having to communicate the “small type”.
Comment by DH July 28, 2017 @ 7:01 amand if one of the mastercard execs was diagnosed theyd spend more than 4 mill to get treatment. probably would charge if to stand up to cancer.
Comment by andy@cynic July 28, 2017 @ 6:49 amYes … and after what you went through with Bonnie, it must be even more offensive.
Comment by Rob July 28, 2017 @ 8:00 amnot as sickening as that fucking joke of a president wanting to kill health care for everyone.
Comment by andy@cynic July 28, 2017 @ 8:33 amAmerica gets the president they deserve.
Comment by DH July 28, 2017 @ 1:11 pmI don’t know if I’m more upset about the 4 million limit or the pay packet of the CEO.
Comment by DH July 28, 2017 @ 7:03 amIt should be both. Equally.
Comment by Rob July 28, 2017 @ 8:00 amSickening.
Comment by George July 28, 2017 @ 7:20 amThe power of lawyers and accountants.
Comment by Lee Hill July 28, 2017 @ 8:16 am