Published 04-17-07
Submitted by Cone Communications
BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 17, 2007--The 2007 Cone Consumer Environmental Survey released today finds one-third of Americans (32%) report heightened interest in the environment compared to a year ago. In addition, they are overwhelmingly looking to companies to act: 93% of Americans believe companies have a responsibility to help preserve the environment.
The new study indicates a large number of Americans are now environmental "doers" themselves- in the past year, almost half (47%) have purchased environmentally-friendly products, more than one in five (21%) have donated to an environmental organization, and almost that many (18%) have advocated for environmental issues. Most Americans report they are also making efforts in their personal lives to intentionally reduce their impact on the environment, including:
Americans are calling on companies to be proactive in their day-to-day operations when it comes to the environment. Concerns over packaging and transportation compete with pollution as an issue. Solid majorities support meaningful company actions including:
Consumers Will Use Their Purchasing Power to Reward or Punish
The vast majority of Americans (91%) say they have a more positive image of a company when it is environmentally responsible. On the flip side, almost as many (85%) indicated they would consider switching to another company's products or services because of a company's negative corporate responsibility practices.
Among those Americans who report buying environmentally-friendly products, these items include:
Communicating the Impact
Advertising is the leading way Americans prefer companies communicate their social and environmental issues and practices (45%), but electronic communications, particularly via company Web sites, are growing in popularity. Communication by way of a company's Web site now falls just behind advertising as the second leading outlet for social and environmental communication (41%), reinforcing the idea that as companies become more environmentally-friendly, their communications vehicles should too.
About the survey:
The 2007 Cone Consumer Environmental Survey presents the findings of an online survey conducted March 29, 2007 by Opinion Research Corporation among a sample of 1,066 adults comprising 499 men and 567 women 18 years of age and older. The margin of error associated with a sample size of 1,000 is +/- 3%.
About Cone:
Cone LLC (www.coneinc.com) is a strategy and communications agency engaged in building brand trust. Cone creates stakeholder loyalty and long-term relationships through the development and execution of Cause Branding(SM), Brand Marketing, Corporate Responsibility, and Crisis Prevention and Management initiatives. Cone is a member of the Omnicom Group.
For more information about the 2007 Cone Consumer Environmental Survey or for a copy of the complete fact sheet, please contact Sarah Kerkian at Cone (skerkian@coneinc.com).
Copyright Business Wire 2007
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:
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CEO
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