SocialVibe.com – Social Networking with a Charitable Twist

Earlier this week, I learned about SocialVibe.com, a social networking site that incorporates a charitable twist into the site’s functionality.  In simplest terms, when you register for an account with SocialVibe.com, you can select a branded SocialVibe badge from participating company sponsors such as Adobe, NBA, Sprint and Nestle and post that badge on your social networking pages on Facebook and MySpace as well as on your blogs and websites.  Next, pick a charity, and you’ll earn points towards direct charitable contributions through the impressions of your SocialVibe badge.

SocialVibe.com launched in February 2008 and already more than $100,000 in charitable donations have been raised.  It’s an interesting concept that can raise awareness for brands and charities while helping those charities with financial contributions at the same time.  I asked Joe Marchese, founder of SocialVibe.com, to answer a few questions about the site.  Following is a recap of the interview:

Brandcurve: Where did the idea for SocialVibe come from?

Joe Marchese: I wish I could say that we (myself and the two other co-founders, David Levy and Brandon Mills), just thought it up, but honestly what you see as SocialVibe today was built by our members. SocialVibe started on the premise that people should benefit from interacting with brands on social networks, since it certainly benefits the brands. So with that in mind we set out to build SocialVibe so that brands and people could interact more directly. Our members have driven us every step of the way towards charities, and we love it.

Brandcurve: I’m not sure I understand the purpose of levels, perks, etc.  Is there more to SocialVibe than selecting a cause or charity and placing the badge on your social networking profile in order to passively earn money for that charity?

Joe Marchese: There is a lot to SocialVibe today, but there will be much more going forward. The number one thing our members ask us for is more ways to earn points on SocialVibe, meaning more for their charity. They don’t want to just passively support brands, they want to engage and do more. SocialVibe is going to make sure that people, their charities and their brands can benefit in several more ways.

Brandcurve: Where does the money come from that is donated to the charities?  Does that come from the brand sponsors?  Are they in essence paying for advertising space and part of that payment is what goes to the charities?

Joe Marchese: Exactly. Brands need a way to be relevant in social media, it’s not like TV where you can just buy your way in, you have to get permission from the people.  When people give the brands the permission they need to get into social media, it’s worth something to the brand. SocialVibe then turns this into charitable donations for the cause of the person’s choice.

Brandcurve: What kind of activity goes on at the SocialVibe.com site?  Are members required to do any kind of promoting, etc.? 

Joe Marchese: There is no requirement, but it’s one of the best ways to earn points beyond just putting your brand sponsor on your online profile. People can check out other members, read about the causes, check out new charity goals, read The Vibe (SocialVibe’s blog) and interact with the brands.

Brandcurve: What is your ultimate goal for SocialVibe?

Joe Marchese: To build a place where everyone can use their online influence to raise money for the causes they care about. That means that we have to unlock social media for brands in a way it has never been before. There is about $300 billion spent by corporations on advertising, but only about $15 billion spent on charitable giving. Imagine if we could turn even a little bit of that $300 billion into giving?

Image: SocialVibe.com