The San Francisco BatKid Story Should Move Your Money As Well as Your Heart.

If you haven't yet heard the amazing story of the city of San Francisco pulling together to make the dream of 5 year old cancer-stricken Miles Scott come true, you simply must read about it here.  The Make-A-Wish Foundation transformed the "City By The Bay" into Gotham City, providing the 5 year old leukemia patient with a Batmobile, a nemesis and a damsel in distress. In addition to a specially printed newspaper front page and the cheering support of hundreds of locals, he even received a key to the city.

If the #SFBatKid story is warming your heart (and if it's not, there's something wrong with you), here's your chance to do something about it. Donate to Make-A-Wish Foundation here so you can help make someone else's dream come true.

You can view live updates here and follow him on twitter at @SFBatKid

Using The Force To Fight Diabetes. 6 Year Old's T-Shirt Would Melt Even The Darkest Sith Lord's Heart.

Now, here's a product that could bring light, love and hope to the Dark Side.



Six year old Audrey Chau has an older sister, Natalie, who has Type 1 Diabetes. In hopes of one day finding a cure for her sister's condition, Audrey has drawn her favorite characters from Star Wars, with much love and care (and talent). The adorable, yet recognizable characters, have been turned into a t-shirt for adults, youths and toddlers to wear, with all the proceeds from the sales going to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.




Audrey and big sister Natalie:


Buy one - I did. The price is right ($12), the cause is just and the drawings are great.



Audrey graciously thanks you for your support and says, "May the force be with you!"

Buy your T-shirt (American Apparel adult crew tee, Hanes 5.2oz Youth or Gildan Toddler Tee) here

"The Developer", A Beautiful Samsung Gear Spot Celebrates A Real Project by The Messi Foundation.

More and more, traditional :30 and :60 second spots from large marketers are paling in comparison to their branded content that they are calling "short films" - if you can call a two minute digital video a short film. The latest is this beautifully produced musically-inspired spot for Samsung (who also recently released "Dreams," a 2:57 minute digital short for the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, that was cut down to a minute long tv commercial for air, and is shown at the end of this post).



Told from a child's perspective, "The Developer" is a musical short film by Samsung featuring world-renowned footballer and Unicef Goodwill Ambassador, Lionel (Leo) Messi, and the hit single "Royals" by hot New Zealand Pop Star Lorde.


above photo of Lorde by Simeon Patience.

The beautiful 2 minute branded content was created by Leo Burnett, Chicago and is a dramatic retelling of an actual project completed by the Leo Messi Foundation. Directed by Adam Hashemi the film has wardrobe designed by Paco Delgado, who was the costume designer for the film version of Les Misérables.



In case you didn't understand what's happening in the spot (and I'm not trying to be pedantic here), a mysterious stranger arrives in a low income neighborhood and captures the imaginations of the children who live there. He is "The Developer" and the children view him with a deep suspicion.

Together with his Samsung GALAXY Note 3 and GALAXY Gear, The Developer effortlessly masterminds a secret construction project. Using the latest in Samsung technology including Action Memo, Pen Window, Scrapbook and hands-free call capability on the Gear, The Developer orchestrates and executes his mysterious mission.

The children watch in awe. They reflect on their current situation by singing New Zealand Pop star Lorde's breakout hit "Royals," a song about overcoming her own humble beginnings.

The spot concludes with a beautiful new pitch that has been constructed in the toughest part of town. The Developer is revealed to be the world's reigning football star, Lionel Messi, fulfilling his personal mission* to help under privileged children.



The events in this story are a dramatic retelling of actual projects completed by the Leo Messi Foundation.

* The Leo Messi Foundation

CREDITS
Client: Samsung
Spot: "The Developer"
Agency: Leo Burnett, Chicago
Executive Vice President, Creative Director: Shannon McGlothin
Senior Vice Presidents, Creative Directors: Brandon Rochon, Adam Kennedy
Creative Directors: Guy Seese, Brian Murphy
Senior Vice President, Account Director: Radim Svoboda
Account Director: Benjamin Haynes
Account Executive: Cameron Zick
Senior Vice President, Executive Producer: Jen Dennis
Producer: Keith Jamerson
Vice President, Music Director: Gabe McDonough
Senior Music Producer: Chris Clark
Senior Vice President, Global Strategy Director: Huw Gildon
Senior Vice President, Strategy Director: Steven Yuan
Senior Strategist: Marton Harsanyi
Production Company: Furlined
Director: Adam Hashemi
Executive Producer: Eriks Krumins
Editing: Rock Paper Scissors
Editor: Mikkel EG
Executive Producer: Carol Lynn Weaver
Music Supervisor: George Drakoulias
Sound Designer: Gus Koven, Stimmung
Mixer: Loren Silber, Lime Studios
Music Production Support: Amber Music
Postproduction: The Mill


"DREAMS"
In case you haven't yet seen the complete cut of Dreams, here it is:


Credits for Dreams:
Advertising Agency: Leo Burnett, L.A. / Chicago, USA
Global Chief Creative Officer: Mark Tutssel
Creative Directors: Shannon McGlothin, Brandon Rochon, Adam Kennedy
Designer: Luis Farfan
Creative: Sarah Kraus
Account Director: Radim Svoboda
Account Director: Benjamin Haynes
Account Executive: Cameron Zick
Executive Producer: Jennifer Dennis
Producer: Sean Pinney
Production Company: Prettybird
Director: Roc
Editorial: Peepshow London
Editor: Andrea MacCarthur

For more information about the GALAXY Note 3 and Gear, click here.

"Beets" Headphones by OrigAudio Are Both Funny and Serious.

"Beets" by OrigAudio are a hilarious play on Beats by Dre. Over the ear headphones with icons of beets... yes, the root vegetable, on the ear pieces. And with every purchase of these fashionably nutritious headphones, you are supporting a great cause.



Limited edition "Beets" by OrigAudio headphones comes in six unique colors and with every purchase of the $25 headphones sold OrigAudio will donate a can of beets to Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County.







"Beets" by OrigAudio headphones features:
- Full stereo sound with outside noise reduction technology
- Volume control and a single headphone cord to reduce tangling
- Soft cushioned earcups for extra comfort
- Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20kHz
- Hard exterior travel case included with your order
- Works with ANY device that has a standard 3.5mm headphone jack: iPods, iPhones, Droids, laptops, blackberrys, etc.


Buy them here

Damien Hirst Keeps Striking A Chord For Charity With His Custom Guitars.

Artist Damien Hirst is known for many different things. The contemporary artist, who is often referred to as the richest artist in Britain, painted the floor for London's opening Olympics ceremony, created the world's most expensive diamond encrusted platinum skull, and has made us see ordinary things such as dots, butterflies and pharmaceuticals a little differently.

Zachary Quinto and Alanis Morissette Design For Kiehl's To Benefit Recycle Across America.

For its fifth Limited Edition Label Art Series for Earth Day, Kiehl’s Since 1851 has partnered with actor Zachary Quinto and musician/actor Alanis Morissette to benefit Recycle Across America.



Each has designed a Limited Edition label, depicting their vision of social responsibility for Kiehl's 4.2 oz. Ultra Facial Cream, which will be available April 20 (that's tomorrow!) in Kiehl’s stores and at Kiehls.com in time for Earth Day.

Alanis Morisette's Design:


Zachary Quinto's Design:


100% of the net proceeds of this series will benefit Recycle Across America™ (RAA), and through this program, Kiehl’s will be donating $50,000 to the organization.

Below are a few videos from Zachary and Alanis, discussing the inspiration for their designs and from RAA's executive Director Mitch Hedlund, sharing their commitment to the environment in their own words.

Zachary Quinto:

Alanis Morissette:

Zachary and Alanis:

Mitch Hedlund:


Make your own:
Show your support by drawing up some Earth Day art of your own for Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream label for a chance to win a year's supply of Kiehl's.

RAA is not-for-profit organization dedicated to delivering society-wide solutions that eliminate public confusion, stimulate the environmental economy and expedite progress, and the funds raised from these labels will be used to create 65,000 standardized recycling labels, which will be donated to K-12 schools nationwide.

Earth Month is also the time to reinforce Kiehl's Recycle and Be Rewarded! in-store recycling program. This ongoing program is available only in Kiehl’s free-standing stores nationwide, and allows their customers to return their empty Kiehl’s bottles, tubes and jars for recycling, in exchange for product. Since 2009, Kiehl’s has recycled over 900,000 bottles! Not only can their customers support recycling with our Limited Edition collection, but they can also recycle at Kiehl’s themselves, and earn complimentary product while doing so!



They'd love for you to share their message of social responsibility — it means the world to them (and you). Join Kiehl’s in their commitment to the environment.



Kiehl's

Photojournalist Takes A Look At The Big Picture And Decides To Change The World, One Condom At A Time.

L. was founded by Talia Frenkel, a photojournalist whose coverage of the effects of HIV/AIDS on women and girls inspired her into action.


above: Talia in Uganda

Talia Frenkel didn’t start out in the safe sex business. “I had worked extensively as a photographer for the Red Cross and documented humanitarian crisis around the world,” she says.


above: one of Talia's provocative images of the ravages of AIDS on women.

Taking photos of people suffering, especially women and girls, she was ”struck by the preventative nature of the AIDS epidemic.” Upon returning to Los Angeles, she found herself at a crossroads. After all the suffering she had witnessed, her challenge was to channel the frustration of those experiences ”in a productive way.”



After talking to friends and family about the lack of access to condoms abroad, and seeing the potential in the high-quality market at home, Frenkel started L., a premium condom company that operates on a one-for-one model. For every condom they sell in America, they donate one to the developing world. “It’s important to note that we didn’t just re-package an existing condom on the US market,” she says “we re-engineered a new condom for the modern consumer.” But while the premium latex, and sustainable packaging of L. condoms are sure to deliver piece of mind (amongst other things) they’re delivered to sub-saharan Africa through female entrepreneurs, and student education programs.



But L. doesn’t stop there – the company focuses on supporting women leaders as catalysts for change and development. At its core, L. is setting out to create a superior product that rests on three pillars: Sex, Cause and World.

Sex:

above: photo by Talia Frenkel

L. has re-engineered the condom. From premium quality high-grade latex to formulating moisture-rich, female-friendly lubricants with out harmful additives, L. focuses on creating the most natural and pleasurable way to practice safe sex. L. condoms use purified latex so that theyare uniquely low in latex scent and are glycerin and paraben free. All condoms are individually electronically tested to exceed FDA and international standards.

Cause:



Integral to L.’s inception and mission is to fight the international AIDS epidemic. In Africa, there are more deaths caused by AIDS than all the wars, famines, floods, and deadly diseases on the continent - combined. Increasingly, women and girls are the face of the epidemic as they are disproportionately affected at a young age. Condoms are the most effective technology in HIV prevention as well as a simple form of birth control that provide a greater quality of life. Still, 9 out of 10 countries in Africa go through regular condom stock outs that typically last 2 months or more. L. has set out to address this through a one for one consumer driven donation model.

One for one is only the beginning.
L. has been credited with re-inventing the model, dubbed 1 for 1 +, by focusing on building capacity of its partners and facilitating the creation of long-term distribution channels.



Currently, L. is partnered with Direct Relief International and working with female-run social enterprise programs. Similar to the recent trend in international focus on women from Nike’s Girl Effect to the Half the Sky Movement - L.’s programs focus particularly on women leaders as agents of progress.

World:
L. takes measure to be as sustainable as possible, and beyond that, the company aims to be restorative and enriching. From sourcing raw materials local to their manufacturing facility to providing product in recycled packaging – L. strives to deliver thoughtfully-designed products that are compatible with the environment. Their condoms also only use sustainably tapped 100% natural latex and are Vegan- friendly.


above: photo by Talia Frenkel

L. draws a connection between developed and developing world women through unique marketing and the opportunity for daily actions to support women globally. “Sex is universal, but protection is not.” says founder Talia Frenkel, who started the venture out of frustration at the preventative nature of the epidemic. “A largely untapped resource in Africa, women have the unique abilities and skills to strengthen and lead the global response to AIDS.” The sleek design, product features and company mission sets the company apart as a bold option for the modern consumer. Uniquely, L. is focused on empowering a hugely under-represented market for condoms - women. “Birth control pills are a common site in a women’s purse, but condoms are not. Part of what L. is about is making condoms sexy.”



But more than just a product, L. is creating a movement by offering consumers an opportunity to create massive change through simple choices and actions within their everyday lives. If just one in 20 condom purchases were made with L., the HIV prevention needs of the three countries with the highest prevalence of AIDS could be met, averting countless new HIV transmissions and improving the quality of life for even more.


above: photo by Talia Frenkel

As part of this movement, L. is transforming consumers into advocates, giving them the opportunity to participate by hosting social events as well as wearing L. t-shirts and donning wristbands that show their support for women globally.




Packaging:
They re-thought condom package design - from the materials of the packaging to the shape itself - providing a sleek and sexy package that aligns with the modern consumer lifestyle. L. packages are thin and compact enough to carry with you and reseal if you desire.



L. condoms come in 100% recycled paper packaging printed with vegetable inks. The packaging reflects their passion for the aesthetic as well as their goal of minimizing materials while maximizing functionality. No cellophane or plastic is used in packaging. Directions for Use are printed on the inner walls of the box to save paper. The modern minimalist black and white design allows them to save on ink wastage and makes the end product easier to recycle. L. recycles all unused and excess rubber latex that is created in the manufacturing process. This natural rubber latex is sent to facilities that then re-use the material to make other rubber products, such as flip flops. Natural rubber latex products are eventually biodegradable.



To find out more, you can visit www.thisisL.com and find out how you can help. Whether it's by purchasing the well designed apparel or the beautifully packaged condoms or make an impact in these other ways.

A Field Guide To Typestaches. Fonts As Moustaches Poster Purchase Supports Men's Health This Movember.

In honor of Movember*, Taxi shared with us this 2009 poster by art director and designer Tor Weeks. The Field guide to Typestaches shows us 30 different font brackets as moustaches. The Field Guide to Typestaches Poster is available for purchase, see details and link below.




"A Field Guide to Typestaches" Poster

• 10% of all Typestache sales during Movember will be donated to fight men's health issues

• Designed by Tor Weeks

• Screen-printed by www.chuxprint.com

• Printed on cream-colored paper

• 18" x 24"

• Frame not included

Buy the poster here ($24)

Or you can simply donate to Movember* here and support men's health



*Movember is the global men's health charity engaging men to grow and women to support the Mo (moustache) for the 30 days of November. Through the power of the moustache, awareness and funds are raised for men’s health, specifically prostate and testicular cancer initiatives.

Buy This Cool Belt and Help Others Loosen Theirs. The Mission Belt Co. Donates To The Hungry.

Buy a belt, feed a family. That's the concept behind The Mission Belt, a company that donates a dollar for every one of their stylish leather belts sold, wholesale and retail, to help hungry families worldwide become self-sufficient.




The Mission Belt is simple, clean and unisex. Made of supple and smooth top grain double-stitched leather, they are available in three colors and with three sizes, provide a perfect fit for everyone. With no holes to stretch or wear over time (the belt buckle functions much like a seatbelt on an airplane) it always looks great on either men or women. It can be dressed up or dressed down. Not only is it the best belt ever manufactured, it's comfortably priced at $34.99 as well.





The tip of the belt inserts into the buckle, where a locking mechanism holds the belt in place from the back. To remove the belt, just press the small metal lever on the bottom of the buckle, and the belt slides out of the buckle.



On the back of the belt is a series of small, hard rubber wedges that have been carefully sewn into the leather of the belt:


There’s a metal piece on the back of the belt buckle that lodges against the wedges as you pull the belt to the correct fit. Then, it locks into place.

Black:

Alpine White:

Chocolate:


From their site:
The Philosophy: If you give a man a fish he eats for a day. If you teach a man to fish he can eat everyday. That sums up our philosophy and it works. Some of the core concepts behind our fight against global hunger and poverty are;

Sustainability & Self-reliance: That is the goal behind every dollar deployed. Our “Mission” is for families to continue to thrive after support ends.

Nutrition & Income: We work with organizations that help families reap the rewards of their animals and crops through consumption and sale of excess production.

Improved Management: This means that the projects we invest in focus on teaching families how to better manage their livestock and crops to keep them safe and productive.


Order your Mission Belt here.