Cause Marketing Overload

I have always been a big fan of cause marketing and think that this approach is one way that American's consumeristic tendencies can be put to good use. I am one of the suckers who will find a reason to buy anything product red- with full knowledge that my money would help a lot more people if I chose to send half of the cost of my gap shirt to Africa instead of buying a shirt I don't need.

But this was taking it way too far. My assessment, I will admit, may be slightly characterized by the fact that I heard the announcement after 20 hours of flying in route back from Johannesburg. I am trying to settle my head back to the small spot of respite provided by a window seat, and she gets on the PA system with that potentially endearing, but in this case severely aggravating Atlanta drawl, and informs us that we can buy chips for two dollars to support animals who need saving from places like the humane society. Then the flight attendants go through the aisles and announce in every three feet of space "do you want to buy some chips to save the animals".

I didn't want any chips especially if I had to buy them to save the animals. What the heck have potato chips to do with saving the animals. This is another case where the cause is not connected to the product and so the marketing just sounds silly or in my sleep deprived case annoying!