Delta Airlines

May 26, 2009, Harvard Business Blog — This weekend the main sections of the New York Times and the Daily News contained big ads for Hummer, T-Mobile, AT&T, Macy's, Bloomingdales, and a host of electronics and furniture retailers. The home page of the Huffington Post right now is running an ad for Delta Airlines. On CNN.com it's Netflix. ABCNews.com — Choice Hotels. Oprah.com — Crystal Light beverages. No ads on any of these pages for Darfur, ending AIDS, or curing breast cancer — indeed no ads for any 501 (c) 3. This is not an anomalous day. Gigantic consumer brands advertise. Gigantic causes don't.

As news of the economic crisis persists, Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) and AIDS Walk New York (AWNY) proudly announced today outstanding results in corporate sponsorship for this year's AIDS Walk, the world's largest HIV/AIDS fundraising event benefiting GMHC and other HIV/AIDS organizations. "In spite of the recession, today's announcement demonstrates that the New York business community remains committed to helping those struggling with HIV/AIDS and preventing new infections here in the tri-state area," said Marjorie J. Hill, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of GMHC, the world's first AIDS organization. "It's wonderful to see public and private institutions demonstrate their leadership and compassion for those living with HIV/AIDS, especially in these tough economic times," added Hill.