In a previous blog post, I mentioned cause-related marketing. Retailers and product makers are jumping all over the idea of hitching their chariots to charitable causes.

A recent local newspaper article describes campaigns by Kohls, Dillards, Target, Kay Jewelers, and Hudson Belk. Problem is, as I mentioned, very little may actually make it to the coffers of the advertised charity. The store gets the extra revenue and the buyer gets a feel-good purchase, but the charity doesn't get much benefit.

I'm torn between thinking this is shrewd marketing and feeling that the public is being deceived on a large scale.