Campaign Alert and Giveaway: Dove Self-Esteem Fund CLOSED

Having a background in marketing and advertising, I've seen my fair share of commercials and campaigns. Unfortunately, many companies resort to marketing ploys that exploit women, using scantily clad size 0-2 models to peddle everything from beer to cars to beauty products. It's no wonder that we ladies feel self-conscious if our teeth are a little crooked or if, heaven forbid, we wear a size 8 or larger. What happened to the days where voluptuous was considered sexy? Didn't Marilyn Monroe, the ultimate sex symbol, wear a size 10? Times have changed for the worse and, sadly, so has our self-image. Depression and low self-esteem have reached a national crisis level.

Low self-esteem is an issue that affects all women regardless of age or ethnicity. It can lead to introversion, a withdrawal from normal life and a waste of potential. But one company is setting out to make a difference and reverse this trend: Dove. You may have caught their Campaign for Real Beauty on TV, which uses "real" women rather than models in an effort to redefine beauty. Well, Dove's new "Thank You for Making a Difference" project is another step to encourage young women to defeat these damaging stereotypes, accept themselves as they are and live up to their full potential. See one of the shocking outreach videos below:

Dove recently released the Real Girls, Real Pressure: A National Report on the State of Self-Esteem, conducted with girls between 8 and 17 and commissioned by Dove Self-Esteem Fund (DSEF), to provide additional information to help Dove better understand the issues, causes and outcomes of low-esteem -- as well as the most powerful change agents on a national and regional level. Findings from the report found that 70% of girls feel they do not measure up in some way including their looks, performance in school and relationships. Most disturbing is that girls with low self-esteem are engaging in harmful and destructive behavior that can leave a lasting imprint on their lives.

The Dove Self-Esteem Fund (DSEF) was established as an agent of change to inspire and educate girls and young women about a wider definition of beauty. DSEF is a global project, which consists of a network of local country initiatives linked in strategy and direction by a global steering group. In each country, the Dove Self-Esteem Fund supports a specific charitable organization to help foster self-esteem. In the U.S., it supports the Boys and Girls Club of America and the Girls Scouts of the USA to help build confidence in girls 8-17 with after-school programs, self-esteem building events and educational resources.The DSEF is committed to help girls build positive self-esteem and a healthy body image, with a goal of reaching 5 million girls globally with self-esteem programming by 2010. It has already reached over 3.5 million young women since 2005.

What you may not know is that each time you purchase a Dove product, you are supporting the Self-Esteem Fund. Simply enter your Dove UPC here and select a charity. For every UPC code entered through December 15, Dove will donate $1 to inspiring self-esteem programs at a charity partner of your choice (Girl Scouts, Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Girls, Inc.). Buy a great product from a reliable brand and help daughters nationwide feel beautiful inside and out? It's truly win-win! Dove will also donate $1,000 to a national charity that supports self-esteem around the holidays on behalf of all bloggers who support this initiative. Awesome!

But wait, there's more...

WIN IT: One lucky reader is going to win a Dove Self-Esteem Prize Pack including two "True You!" workbooks for mothers and daughters to complete together, a plush terry cloth spa robe and two Dove products! Here's what you've gotta do:

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Tell me what you've done to educate or raise your or your child's self-esteem. I can't wait to read your inspiring stories! Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile or if you are not a blogger!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count!

1.) Follow my blog or subscribe via reader or email. Comment telling me which method you chose. If you already follow or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry)

2.) Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest. Just leave me a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry)

3.) Tell me your favorite Dove product. (1 entry)

4.) Add my blog button and/or my holiday button to your site and leave a comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry for each)

5.) Enter any of my other current giveaways and leave a comment telling me which one(s) you entered. (1 entry each)

Giveaway will end on December 27, 2009 at 11:59pm EST. Contest open to U.S. and Canada. Winners will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I was invited to post about this topic courtesy of Victoria at Rocket XL. I was not compensated in any way for this post.