BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 23, 2005--As Hurricane Rita bears down on the U.S., Americans say that they have more trust in companies than in government to respond to disasters. The findings of a new nationwide poll show that the overwhelming majority of Americans expect companies to play an important and long-term role in helping affected regions rebuild. The poll, commissioned by Cone, Inc., a Boston-based strategy and communications agency that links companies to causes, finds that more than half of Americans have greater confidence in Corporate America's ability to respond effectively to disasters than they do in their own government agencies. Moreover, more than half of Americans believe companies should support relief and reconstruction efforts until all affected areas are thriving once again.

Sept. 2005
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I expect companies to play an important role in rebuilding affected areas: 87%
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Companies are better able to effectively respond to disaster than government agencies: 62%
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Sept. 2005

Americans believe companies should continue to support relief efforts for:
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One month : 2%
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Six months : 11%
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One year : 13%
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Two years : 9%
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More than two years : 7%
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Until affected areas and people are thriving : 53%
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Don't know : 4%
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"These results appear to raise the stakes for businesses," noted Carol Cone, Chairman and founder of Cone, Inc. "The public has increasing expectations of companies to play an active role not just by making an initial cash or product donation, but by being part of long-term recovery efforts."

The 2005 Cone Disaster Response Survey provides insights into what role and approach Americans want companies to take in near-term and long-term hurricane relief and reconstruction efforts. More than half of Americans suggest that companies give cash in the short term and then apply business resources to support long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts.

Sept. 2005

The BEST approach for companies to support relief efforts is to:
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Give cash to meet immediate needs : 13%
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Wait until real needs are identified and then apply business resources to support long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts: 27%
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Give cash in the short term and then apply business resources to support long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts: 57%
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Don't know : 4%
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In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, more Americans are identifying the issues of poverty, housing and youth as causes companies should support than before the disaster. While leading issues remain education, health and the environment, there has been a spike in concern for poverty, housing and youth.

Cone, Inc. Vice President Alison DaSilva, who advises businesses on cause-related programs, says that, "Companies considering where to focus long-term aid should take these new shifts into consideration when deciding where to focus resources."

Following is a list of Issues Americans want companies to support.

The first number represents Post Hurricane Katrina, the second number represents Pre Hurricane Katrina, the Third number represents the Increase.

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Education: 84%, 81%, 3%
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Health: 84%, 81%, 3%
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Environment: 81%, 80%, 1%
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Hunger: 80%, -, -
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Poverty: 75%, 65%, 10%
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Youth: 73%, 59%, 14%
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Crime and terrorism: 70%, 65%, 5%
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Housing: 68%, 56%, 12%
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According to Carol Cone, "Findings from this first-of-its-kind national poll reinforce the importance of a corporate vision and a short- and long-term strategic disaster relief plan. Hurricane Katrina, and now Hurricane Rita, should serve as a wake-up call for companies."

About this survey:

This report presents the findings of a telephone survey conducted among a national probability sample of 1044 adults comprised of 452 men and 592 women 18 years of age and older, living in private households in the continental United States. Interviewing for this
CARAVAN(R) Survey was completed during the period September 16 - 19, 2005. The margin of error is +/- three percentage points.

About Cone:

Cone, Inc. (www.coneinc.com) is a brand strategy and communications agency. We have three core disciplines: Cause Branding, which connects corporations, nonprofits and social issues; Marketing Communications, which works with companies on products and services; and Issues and Crisis Management, which helps organizations identify and manage risk to their reputation and mission. Cone is part of Omnicom, a global network of many of the world's top advertising and communications agencies.

For further information on this study or to speak with Cone executives, please contact Kelly Faville at 978-405-3199 or kfaville@coneinc.com.

Copyright Business Wire 2005

Cone Communications

Cone Communications

Cone Communications is a public relations and marketing agency known for igniting brands with high-impact strategies and programs based in deep insights, unique subject matter expertise and innovation. Focusing on key areas such as consumer product media relations, social media, cause marketing, corporate social responsibility, nonprofit marketing, corporate communications and crisis prevention/management - the agency is positioned to help clients achieve both business and societal outcomes.

Cone Communications is a part of Diversified Agency Services, a division of Omnicom Group Inc.

For potential client interest, please contact:
Marc Berliner
mberliner@conecomm.com
(617) 939-8467
Vice President Business Development

Bill Fleishman
bfleishman@conecomm.com
617-227-2111
CEO

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