While many at THE DM GROUP have been known to load up on beer-fuelled calories at lunchtime, our CSR group chose to go green instead – with a presentation on low carb design by Rod Wade from Finsbury Green.

Rod spoke about how becoming a low carb or carbon neutral agency – of which there are probably less than five in Australia – could be a massive competitive advantage.

Focusing on sustainability also creates new business opportunities. Nine out of 10 of Finsbury Green’s new clients choose to work with them specifically because of their green products and services.

Food for thought? Definitely.

Last year we created a campaign to cut THE DM GROUP energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 10%.

And as we wrote, in one month we exceeded our target with a 30% reduction in the number of black balloons produced.

But it didn’t end there.

Our corporate social responsibility team has just reported we’ve continued to reduced our energy use by a further 11.8%.

That’s an average 160 less black balloons. Every. Single. Day.

The reward?

A greener planet. A warm fuzzy feeling. And a chocolate frog with the message to keep hopping to it.

Yesterday, we told you about Olivia Passmore’s commitment to enter Run Melbourne to raise money for YMCA Open Doors.

At the time of writing, she’s $310 towards her modest $500 objective. But as YMCA Development Manager, Olivia, explains…

‘When you consider it costs $41 for a gym membership for an at-risk teen, $67 to provide aquatic lessons for a school kid from an disadvantaged family and $140 for a 2-day activity camp for a single dad and his kids, you can start to see how even a small donation will make a real difference to people on Victoria’s socio-economic fringe.’

Donate here.

This week THE DM GROUP took time out from our efforts to contribute to another – PLAN’s Haiti Earthquake Appeal.

Which is why our inhouse frau Kristin spent all night baking.

For a small donation you could choose from her homemade apple cake, cherry cake and chocolate muffins.

But as our CSR team explained, even small bickies can have a
big impact.

For instance, $50 will provide a family with a household kit of cooking utensils.

While $100 will provide temporary shelter for up to three families
or a School in a Box Kit for 30 kids.

Hmmm…

Not such a half-baked idea after all.

As our regular readers will know,  THE DM GROUP sponsors five children – two boys and three girls – with PLAN.

Yesterday, our CRS team despatched a Christmas package for each of them.

For the boys: a mini stationery set and soccer ball. For the girls: a mini stationery set and skipping rope. And of course, a personalised card from everyone at THE DM GROUP.

We hope you PLAN to spread a little Christmas cheer too.

Last Friday we topped off the hair raising month of Movember with a BBQ and a few SNAGS on our rooftop.

Thanks to efforts of the MoBros and our Molympic organisers we raised the well-round figure of $1,000.

Special mention goes to Nina Ee for her historic Public Float and last minute $2.50 contribution – her title of Miss Movember 2009
is well deserved.

Equally deserved is Andy Bannister’s title of Mr Movember 2009
for best individual fund raising effort – showing just what can be achieved when you actually read the instructions.

Congratulations also go to David Findlay for Best Mo. And self-proclaimed title of Alpha Male.

While Ian Ross was sent home with a bottle of Movember branded Heinz Big Red. And the title of Worst Mo.

You’ve seen the Trucker, the Rockstar, the Businessman.

Now THE DM GROUP presents the Findlay.

After four short weeks, David has a mo worthy of any 80s swimming coach.

Check back tomorrow to see how he’s used his new persona to full effect.

For a few years now THE DM GROUP been helping The St Mary’s House of Welcome prepare for Christmas lunch.

But not by cooking.

Instead we donate our advertising smarts to The Big Give.

Now in it’s sixth year, The Big Give provides lunch for around 300 isolated and disadvantaged people on December 25.

It’s rewarding work for us.

And we know it’s a rewarding experience for the invitees.

If you’d also like to feel that Christmas spirit, why not find out how you or your company can help too.

This month things will be getting a little hairy around THE DM GROUP. That’s because The MoBros above are throwing away their razors for good cause.

Movember!

Making their debut last Friday, The MoBros will be performing tasks around THE DM GROUP throughout November to raise money towards men’s health awareness and prevention.

They’ll also be championing our annual Molympics where all our mo bros and gals compete in amazing feats of endurance and cunning to win money towards The MoBros kitty.

And hopefully a few razors come November 30.

Do you know the monitor you’re looking at right now produces up to 40 black balloons of greenhouse gases?

Not a day. An hour.

That’s why the first tip in our CSR team’s energy saving campaign is to activate the energy saving preferences on our computers.

Just don’t confuse sleep mode with screen saving.

As our CSR team points out, a screen saver uses twice as much energy as when you’re working on your computer.

So while it might save your monitor, it won’t save our planet

Only one thing willzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz………………