Why Do We Love SocialVibe? August 11, 2009

Posted by Pulin Modi at August 11, 2009 10:55 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 4 ) | TrackBack

We work with a lot of different companies on everything from t-shirts to toolbars, and one of my personal favorites is SocialVibe.

With your help, we've raised over $27,000 towards the fight for animal rights! Honestly, it's as simple as posting a badge on your MySpace or blog or adding their application on Facebook!

Rather than me telling you about why SocialVibe is so awesome and important to those interested in changing the world, I have an exclusive interview with their Editorial Director, Sarah Townsend! She's got some great answers which shows how much they all care, so please take a couple minutes to read more!

Sarah (in her sweet new peta2 tank top) and Pepper

Why do you think it's important for everyone to speak up for animals?
Because they have no voices. Alright, that isn't entirely true, anyone with a noisy dog or bird can tell you that. What I mean is—animals are at a severe disadvantage because of their inability to speak or defend themselves against humans, but they deserve the same basic rights we take for granted. Most of the cruel practices involved in food or product manufacturing go unknown to much of the world. It's remarkable how few people are aware of where their food comes from, how their cosmetic/household products are made, and just how much suffering is involved in our daily conveniences and entertainment. If we don't speak up for the animals, who will?

Do you have any funny stories about your cats?
Is my name Sarah? My kitties have more personality than some humans I have met. I like to think it's because I've treated them as equals, not just as pets. My fatty, Scout, is the goofiest feline you will ever meet. Sometimes I crack up just looking at her, like this morning when she was laying on her back like a dead cockroach. What really gets me is her quirky habit of refusing to drink out of anything except the bathroom faucet. My other furkid, Pepper, is a little strange in her food habits—she enjoys cashews very much, pickles, olives, tomato sauce, and pretty much all of the things cats are not supposed to enjoy. She could totally be vegan.

What are some of your favorite things about working at SocialVibe?
I love being a part of a company that is so revolutionary and one-of-a-kind. There is no one else doing anything quite like SocialVibe, so in a way we feel like pioneers. The greatest gift about working at SV is knowing that the hard work and long hours we put in are going to make a positive impact in the world. Just like any job, there are times when you think to yourself, "Why am I doing this to myself? Why don't I just get some easy-peasy job that doesn't take much brain power?" And then I see the wonderful projects we are helping fund, and it all becomes clear. There is no greater reward than seeing your hard work making a positive social impact—whether it's a homeless animal who has been given shelter, a hungry child who has been fed, or a square mile of beach that has been saved.

Why do you like working with peta2 specifically?
peta2 is by far one of the most creative non-profits that we work for, and I really admire the organization for using less-than-traditional methods of bringing campaigns into the spotlight. It takes a lot of guts to put yourself out there like that, but it's totally worth it ... and you've been very effective at getting the attention of folks who might not otherwise have given some of these issues a second thought. I also love the energy that comes from peta2's supporters on SocialVibe. They are so passionate and vocal, you can really tell they care about making an impact. If all of us were that take-charge, think of the difference we could make.

Are there any bands we work with or campaigns we work on which are especially of interest to you?
I'm in love with the new "Breasts, Not Animal Tests" campaign with Keep A Breast. Educating younguns about the importance of early detection and prevention of breast cancer while supporting cruelty-free shopping? LOVE IT. I just got my tank top in the mail and I can't wait to show it off!

Can you explain how the new Facebook application works?
It's like this—you add the application, choose your favorite cause (i.e., peta2), and pick a brand sponsor. On your application dashboard, you'll see a list of brand activities (rating videos, downloading songs, etc.) that can be completed for points. Each time you complete one of those activities, a micro-donation is made to your chosen charity. Your actions feed through to your Facebook profile, so your friends can see the difference you're making and join in and help you earn more points for your cause. You can also receive updates about your cause's goal progress and meet fellow supporters!



What's the deal with SocialVibe's pink balls?
The SocialVibe Pink Ball is like our "digital yellow wristband." It's not only our logo, but it is a way for members to show of the impact they've made, because you can't buy the Pink Ball, you have to earn it! Once you sign up and earn 2,000 points for your cause, you're eligible for a Pink Ball, which we'll ship to you for free. From there, it's all about taking Pink Ball photos and posting them online to show off and promote the difference you're making.

Anything else you'd like to share with everyone?
I'd like to encourage everyone to become a part of our grassroots movement I WEAR PINK, which allows people to hit local music venues in their hood and spread the word about SocialVibe. We're promoting this campaign at Warped Tour this summer with peta2 and several of our other charities, with the goal of letting everyone know how easy it is to help your favorite charity without spending a dime. Plus, you get a really cool shirt. And who doesn't love free stuff? Find out more at socialvibe.makegrassroots.com!

Thanks so much to Sarah and the rest of the SocialVibe staff for doing so much to change the world. Are you already supporting peta2 on SocialVibe? If you haven't already signed up, please check it out and help reach our current fundraising goal based on the Animal Testing Breaks Hearts campaign! Plus, you can get peta2 Street Team points for doing it!

Help Animals and Get a Plush Nugget! June 15, 2009

Posted by Marta at June 15, 2009 4:11 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 8 ) | TrackBack

Ladies and Gents, drum roll please ...

I am super excited to tell you all about our brand-new peta2 donor program! You can now become a card-carrying peta2 donor—complete with an official peta2 donor card, a 10 percent discount on PETA Catalog items, stickers, and our ridiculously cute limited-edition peta2 plush "I Am Not a Nugget" chick! For $16 you'll get everything mentioned above, and your money will go to work helping animals. Nothing could be better, right?

Check out two of our awesome interns, Arizona and Kirby, hangin' with their new buddies:

Just think, by becoming a peta2 donor, not only will you be able to make all your friends jealous of your new plush, you'll be helping us to do even more to help animals. Everything from tabling at Warped Tour to creating new leaflets and stickers for you guys to hand out to people to stepping up the pressure on companies to ensure victories for animals. Win, win.

Get all the details and become a donor here.

On a scale of one to excited, how stoked are you about the plush "I Am Not a Nugget" chick?! I want to cuddle up to one ... just sayin'.

"Skinny Bitches" Get Their Moms Something Useful This Mother's Day! May 4, 2009

Posted by Ryan at May 4, 2009 5:32 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 3 ) | TrackBack

Best-selling author Rory Freedman has already spared millions of animals from unnecessary deaths in slaughterhouses, simply by promoting a healthy and cruelty-free vegan diet in her iconic book Skinny Bitch. But now she's taking her compassion to the next level!

You see, rather than buying her mom another meaningless foot massager or something this Mother's Day, Rory has offered to donate $5,000 to peta2 in her mom's honor—but only if you follow her example!

Here's how it works: Rory is going to match donors like you dollar-for-dollar, up to $5,000 total. So for example, if you donate $20 to peta2, she will also donate $20 to double the impact! As Rory said in an email to peta2, "Show your mom who you are and how well she raised you—that you know what is really important."

Your donations—no matter what size—will go twice as far to help us raise awareness and combat cruelty to animals raised for food, clothing, experimentation, and other industries.

Your support helps us win countless victories. From convincing top retailers such as J. Crew and Urban Outfitters to go fur-free to pushing for the first-ever felony charges of cruelty to factory-farmed birds, peta2 is changing how the world treats animals, but we can't do it alone!


Take Rory's Challenge and Have Your Donation Doubled!

--or--

Take Rory's Challenge Through peta2's Facebook Cause

Dylan's Party December 9, 2008

Posted by Pulin Modi at December 9, 2008 11:23 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 3 ) | TrackBack

I met Dylan the last time we had a peta2 conference in San Francisco. He came to learn all about animal rights, went to our zombie-themed KFC protest (see photo below), and hung out to chat a bit afterwards.

I was excited to hear that Dylan had a party in the works where he asked friends to donate to peta2 rather than bring presents! How cool is that?

He just let me know that he helped to raise hundreds of dollars for animal rights, gave all his friends Meat's Not Green info and had them sign the petition, and his cake was even decorated with the slogan "Meat and Fur Are Murder."

Here's a photo of Dylan with some friends at the party. If you looked closely, maybe you noticed the vegetarian hoodie he's wearing? Nice!

If you haven't already, check out the peta2 Street Team and get in on all the fun, creative ways to help animals.

Support peta2 on SocialVibe! October 16, 2008

Posted by Pulin Modi at October 16, 2008 5:10 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 4 ) | TrackBack

Have you heard of SocialVibe yet? It's a cool site where you sign up for a badge for your MySpace, Facebook, Bebo, etc. When you post a badge, you earn $1 for PETA and more starts rolling in every time someone views your page. Sweet deal! Support animal rights. Help raise money for a good cause. Awesome! Sign up here.

We are trying to raise at least $5,000 by the end of the year so we really need your help. Here is what you can do.

1) Signup at socialvibe.com/peta2.
2) Pick your favorite company to act as the sponsor.
3) Create your own custom badge for your MySpace or Facebook profile.
4) Post the badge (as long as you have the badge on your profile you will be earning money to support PETA).
5) Most importantly invite your friends.

This is a super easy way to show your love for peta2, animal rights, and help earn donations for the cause.

Oh and there are tons of Street Team points for you with this, too. We;ll automatically credit them (no need to email us or submit a report for points) as follows:

• 500 points for signing up and posting a badge on your page.
• 500 more points for inviting at least 5 friends.
• 1,000 extra points on top of everything for everyone who signed up if we reach the goal .

That sounds simple enough, I think, so get to it at socialvibe.com/peta2.

-Pulin