212) The Corporate Crowdsource

Apparently it's crowdsourcing week here on The Plan, as the theme continues to come up post after post. I was watching last night's SNL on Hulu when I saw a commercial for Toyota's "Ideas for Good" initiative.



Corporate crowdsourcing campaigns have become more and more common, as big name brands with lots of moolah realize the value of not only positioning themselves as innovative do-gooders, but also the benefit of tapping into the public's brain power. They become the great benefactors, encouraging and funding ideas that will better the world. The "for the good of humanity" mantra runs strong through these campaigns, as does the thought that a good idea can come from anywhere. And to further involve the community at large, there is always a voting component wherein the public can give their input on which ideas deserve funding.

A few more recent examples:

The ongoing Pepsi Refresh Project. Answering the question, "Could a soda really make the world a better place?"


GE Ecomagination Challenge. GE partnered with venture capitalists to facilitate the connection of funding and crowdsourced ideas on how to build a new grid. For those interested, GE will be streaming the winners announcement live this Tuesday at 10AM EST.


At the end of September, Google announced the winners of Project 10^100, a two-year search for creative solutions to improving the planet.


All in all, the campaigns embody the same can-do spirit that Obama rode on into the White House. The we're-all-in-this-together positive mentality in the face of some tough times.