Previewing the ConCePts
In this chapter, we’ll examine the concepts of sustainable marketing, meeting the needs of consumers, businesses, and society—now and in the future—through socially and environ- mentally responsible marketing actions. We’ll start by de ning sustainable marketing and
then look at some common criticisms of marketing as it affects individual consumers and public actions that promote sus- tainable marketing. Finally, we’ll see how companies themselves can bene t from proactively pursuing sustainable marketing practices that bring value to not only individual customers but also society as a whole. Sustainable marketing actions are more than just the right thing to do; they’re also good for business.
First, let’s visit the concept of social and environmental sustainability in business. Perhaps no one gets more red up about corporate social responsibility than Andreas Souvaliotis, founder of Green Rewards and the former president of AIR MILES for Social Change. He’s on a passionate mission to use the resources of his company to combat the world’s environ- mental and social ills. But he knows that to do this, his company must also be pro table. Souvaliotis rmly believes that companies actually can do both—that they can do well by doing good.