Our Blog: where do you stand?

Nintendo = Doing Good

By: Susan Iskiwitch | 06/03/2008

St. Louis blogger Dana Loesch (aka Mamalogues) was contacted by Nintendo to host a party for friends introducing them to the Wii and the Wii Fit. Dana wrote, “I got to invite eight close friends to my house and Nintendo would bring the food, drinks, and the games. In exchange, I'd write about what it was like on my site - good or bad, just what my experience was.” It's fairly easy to see that Nintendo's intention for offering this opportunity to Dana was to gain coverage by an influential blogger while also introducing Wii products to a new audience.

In addition to the party, Dana was given a Wii and a Wii Fit to give away to anyone she chose. “I would like to give it to a family, a person, someone in need,” she wrote. “I want you guys to nominate a deserving party ... there are no restrictions on who can win except that I'd like for it to go to a person who normally wouldn't have the means or opportunity to obtain a Wii.”

Recently I had the privilege of escorting media during prom at Ranken Jordan Pediatric Specialty Hospital, a Standing Partnership client. The pediatric hospital is one of only five in the country that cares for both sick and seriously injured kids regardless of their ability to pay. I was able to see the patients in formalwear, dance, socialize and just be kids regardless of their conditions. The teenage patients were able to participate in a "normal" high school event and reach an important milestone toward physical and emotional healing. Due to income and insurance limitations, many children, however, cannot receive the ongoing therapy and medical treatment that is necessary to make a full recovery. My colleague Justin and I nominated Ranken Jordan to receive the Wii and Wii fit as it was apparent that the kids could benefit from the gaming system not only as a social outlet but also for rehabilitation and physical therapy.

Well ... Ranken Jordan WON the Wii and Wii fit, and Nintendo has shipped them off to the pediatric hospital.

Way to go, Nintendo: not only did you receive coverage from Dana, but you are gaining traction online through this blog, and “in the real world” by indirectly providing a great tool to children in need.

Posted in Where We Stand, Social Media, Digital Communications