LONDON - Leaders in pioneering Cause Related Marketing programmes are hosting The Business in the Community Cause Related Marketing 2003 Annual Conference - Raising the Bar on 30 October 2003. As more companies become involved in this activity, it is important to protect the integrity of Cause Related Marketing. In response, Business in the Community, Tim Mason, Marketing Director TESCO and Simon Waugh, Group Marketing Director Centrica, both of whom have been instrumental in the development of award winning Cause Related Marketing programmes are challenging businesses to "raise the bar" on their Cause Related Marketing.

The conference, the UK's largest Cause Related Marketing event of its kind, is therefore essential for marketing professionals who are considering or are involved in Cause Related Marketing and developing responsible marketing practices. The programme, featuring over 50 speakers and 25 sessions and workshops, will give an invaluable insight into the key principles and processes for successful Cause Related Marketing programmes and will outline award winning examples of excellence.

Results of the Cause Related Marketing annual consumer research and sales data analysis will be announced at the conference which will illustrate the impact Cause Related Marketing can have on the bottom line and brand equity and affinity. Last year, this research highlighted that a Cause Related Marketing product is bought every second in the UK and 89% of consumers have purchased a product or service associated with a charity or cause.

A unique element of the conference is the Marketplace Forum, when for the first time, delegates will have direct access to experienced practitioners from leading companies and will have the opportunity to join the experts for breakfast to discuss the vital issues surrounding Cause Related Marketing. Discussions will focus on such issues as Driving Cause Related Marketing Through The Business, hosted by Mark Cameron, Ford and Doing You Maths, hosted by Terry Mills, Comic Relief and Vinita Pandey, Walkers.

Further details on the conference can be found at www.crm.org.uk or are available from Emma Henderson on 020 7566 8693 or email on emma.henderson@bitc.org.uk.

Notes to editors:

1. Business in the Community is a unique movement of companies across the UK committed to continually improving their positive impact on society, with a core membership of 700 companies, including 80 of the FTSE 100 (as at June 2002).

2. Business in the Community is one of the largest and longest established corporate responsibility organisations in the world.

3. Business-led through its membership, Business in the Community provides a forum to share expertise, information, research and best practice while promoting the power of collaborative action to impact on issues relating to the community, workplace, environment and marketplace.

4. The Cause Related Marketing (CRM) Campaign at Business in the Community was established by Sir Dominic Cadbury of Cadbury Schweppes plc in 1995, led by Sue Adkins and is chaired by Tim Mason of TESCO plc with Simon Waugh of Centrica as Deputy Chair. The Campaign is also supported by Avon, Barclays plc, Bettys & Taylors of Harrogate, Cadbury Trebor Bassett Ltd, Cadbury Schweppes plc, Centrica, Dollond & Aitchison, Ford Motor Company Ltd, GWR Group plc, Lever Faberge Ltd, Research International (UK) Ltd, Glaxo SmithKline plc, TESCO plc, Walkers Snacks and The Marketing Society. The Campaign aims to inspire, generate awareness and understanding of CRM promoting a greater quality and extent of programmes, demonstrating the power of brands in partnership with charities and causes, to make a positive impact on key social issues whilst sharing best practice. Through the provision of seminal research, advice, seminars, conferences, CRM and the first ever CRM Guidelines, the Campaign aims to provide the tools to assist in the full and effective consideration, planning, development, implementation and evaluation of CRM strategies.

5. Cause Related Marketing is defined by Business in the Community as "a commercial activity by which businesses and charities or causes form a partnership with each other to market an image, product or service for mutual benefit". It is an additional tool for addressing the social issues of the day through providing resources and funding whilst at the same time addressing business marketing objectives.

6. Cause Related Marketing Key Facts:

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