WASHINGTON (September 16, 2008)  The American Red Cross today announced a new alliance with the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Council that leverages the combined reach, expertise and influence of corporate marketers worldwide to encourage donations to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. The 3,500 CMO Council members manage some $100 billion in annual marketing expenditures worldwide and communicate with millions of potential donors daily through online and offline media channels. The announcement comes as the Red Cross continues to provide services to thousands affected by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike and days after the launch of a national campaign to raise an initial $100 million to replenish the fund depleted by an active year of disasters. The Disaster Relief Fund supports the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year and enables the Red Cross to provide disaster victims with shelter, food, counseling and other assistance.

The CMO Council will issue a special bulletin to its members, affiliates and partners and disseminate traditional and social media creative and content that companies can use in corporate intranets, newsletters, public service ads, blogs, digital signage systems, email and text messaging campaigns, as well as community outreach.

“The American Red Cross touches people in every market and its humanitarian mission has relevance for all of our members committed to social responsibility programs,” said Donovan Neale-May, Executive Director. He added, “Helping the American Red Cross reach these markets is one way our members can give back and further their customer affinity programs with cause-related communications activities.”

There are many ways CMO Council employees, customers, distribution partners and trade audiences can support the Red Cross. Donations can be made by calling 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visiting www.redcross.org. Another way people can help is through the Text 2HELP™ Initiative, a cooperative partnership between the Red Cross and the Wireless Foundation. Users simply text message the keyword “GIVE” to “2HELP” (24357) and a $5 donation will be made to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Contributions will appear on monthly bills or be debited from a prepaid account balance. All applicable text rates apply.

“We are thrilled to tap into the collective talent, leadership and resources that the CMO Council brings to the table,” said Gail McGovern, President and CEO of the American Red Cross. “This alignment will go a long way toward helping victims of disaster meet their critical needs.”

The Red Cross responded to a record number of tornadoes this year, the worst flooding in the Midwest in 15 years, an early wildfire season and an active hurricane season—disasters that steadily depleted the Disaster Relief Fund. Hurricane Gustav, which made landfall on September 1, is estimated to cost the Red Cross $40-$70 million and the organization has only raised a fraction of what is needed to support affected families. Early cost estimates indicate the Red Cross response to Hurricane Ike may exceed the cost of Hurricane Gustav.

About the American Red Cross:
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the Hurricanes of 2008, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.

About the CMO Council:
The Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Council is dedicated to high-level knowledge exchange, thought leadership and personal relationship building among senior corporate marketing leaders and brand decision-makers across a wide-range of global industries. The CMO Council's 3,500 members control more than $100 billion in aggregated annual marketing expenditures and run complex, distributed marketing and sales operations worldwide. In total, the CMO Council and its strategic interest communities include over 6,000 global executives across 57 countries in multiple industries, segments and markets. Regional chapters and advisory boards are active in the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa. The Council's strategic interest groups include the Coalition to Leverage and Optimize Sales Effectiveness (CLOSE), Brand Management Institute, and the Forum to Advance the Mobile Experience (FAME). More information on the CMO Council is available at www.cmocouncil.org.

Media Contacts

American Red Cross
Contact: Public Affairs Desk
Phone: (202) 303-5551

CMO Council
Contact: Matt Farrell
Phone: 646.652.5204