Why Cadbury's #DonateYourWords campaign sets the marketing standard

By Stone Create Ltd

29 Nov 2019

donate-your-words-cadbury-01.png

The modern world is full of advertising. It's everywhere you look.

So much so that it’s thought we often see up to 5000 ads every day.

You might be surprised by that number. We were when we first read it.

You certainly won’t remember seeing 5000. You probably don’t remember seeing 10.

But the 10 or so you do remember have hit a spot. They’ve done something that makes you remember them.

Cadbury’s latest campaign, Donate Your Words, was one that hit a spot with us. So much so that we’ve written an article about it.

Watch it below.

The Donate Your Words campaign was designed to draw an emotional response from you.

Cadbury’s have collaborated with Age UK to support the donate your words movement.

It definitely makes you think and the statistics they use are powerful too.

Cadbury’s want to shock you into action. That’s the main reason for using emotional content.

How to use emotions in marketing (short introduction)

When the audience connect with an advert emotionally, it’s going to have a more profound effect.

Because emotions can cause humans to take action.

Emotional content also has a much higher chance of going viral. People share emotional things and the more shares your content gets the better.

Certain emotions work better than others though. The Donate Your Words campaign was designed with this in mind.

Take a look at the graphic below:

The Donate Your Words advert aims to shock you. Because this is an emotion more likely to make you make a change.

The emotions you need to aim for are high arousal. These emotions drive people to take action.

That action is what you’re aiming for.

Read more on using emotion in your content here.

Donate Your Words Means Taking Action

The Cadbury’s advert will drive people to take action regarding the Donate Your Words movement.

When people come to help, Cadbury’s will be top of mind because of the advert and the marketing driving it.

Image from Huffington Post.

This is the packaging they have released to run as part of the Donate Your Words campaign.

It’s distinctive and catches the eye as you’re not used to seeing this from them. And it looks really good.

Its simplicity draws you in.

Cadbury have taken over some of Age UK’s charity shops too.

And they’ve completely flipped the shops’ pricing system.

During their takeover, to buy an item at the shops, instead of paying a monetary fee, you simply have to commit to reaching out to an older person in some way.

It could be simply saying hello at the bus stop.

Or making a call to an elderly relative.

One example of what an item cost during the campaign.

It’s a brilliant example of marketing and how to use emotion to do it.

And the fact that it’s for a great cause adds to the brilliance.

To learn more about the Donate Your Words campaign, use this link.

Latest news

1

Brysdales to sponsor transport category at Red Rose Awards Red Rose Awards

Brysdales to sponsor transport category at Red Rose Awards

19 Oct 2026

2

Cowgills expands into Lancashire following Haleys acquisition Haleys Image

Cowgills expands into Lancashire following Haleys acquisition

19 Oct 2026

3

Why flexibility matters for your fleet Lee Grendall Intack

Why flexibility matters for your fleet

19 Oct 2026

4

New man at Expleo helm Phils Cover Suggestion

New man at Expleo helm

19 Oct 2026

5

REVEALED: Sub36 Awards winners 2026 Sub36 Winners And Finalists 2026

REVEALED: Sub36 Awards winners 2026

16 Oct 2026

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV131 November/December Magazine Networking Event
LBV131 Magazine Launch Social720No Text 19 Nov 2026

LBV131 November/December Magazine Networking Event

The Landmark, School Lane, Burnley, BB11 1UF

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Business Day 2026
LBD26 WW Logo720 27 Nov 2026

Lancashire Business Day 2026

Burnley Football Club, BB10 4BX

12:00 - 17:00

Help to Grow: Management Course
Help To Grow 25 Sep 2026 - 15 Dec 2026

Help to Grow: Management Course

University of Lancashire, Preston, PR1 2HE

09:30 - 12:00

Commercial Planning Application workshop
Commercial Planning Workshop 20 Oct 2026

Commercial Planning Application workshop

Online, Accrington , BB5 0PF

12:00 - 13:00

They’ve Already Decided About You – Sales Geek Sales Club: how buyers judge you before you speak – and what to do about it
Lancaster And Morecambe Logo 1 21 Oct 2026

They’ve Already Decided About You – Sales Geek Sales Club: how buyers judge you before you speak – and what to do about it

Lancaster & Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TZ

08:00 - 10:00

Mock Tribunal - step inside an employment tribunal… without the risk
LBV Website Events GraphicMock Tribunal 21 Oct 2026

Mock Tribunal - step inside an employment tribunal… without the risk

Online, Preston, PR1 3JD

09:30 - 12:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: October
Freelance Meet Up 22 Oct 2026

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: October

Society1, 9-10 Cross Street, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 12:00

North West Business Expo
LBV Website Events GraphicBusiness Expo 1 23 Oct 2026

North West Business Expo

Toughsheet Stadium , Bolton, BL6 6JW

09:00 - 15:00

Girlie Night Out
Lancaster And Morecambe Logo 1 23 Oct 2026

Girlie Night Out

Lancaster Brewery, Lancaster, LA1 3LA

19:00 - 23:00

The PM+M Autumn Budget seminar - East Lancashire
Autumn Budget 2026 LBV 29 Oct 2026

The PM+M Autumn Budget seminar - East Lancashire

Blackburn Rovers Football Club (Premier Suite), Blackburn, BB2 4JF

08:00 - 10:30

Lancashire Finance Leaders Forum: The Autumn Budget in Focus
ian-UmTFcwHLPC0-unsplash.jpg.jpg 29 Oct 2026

Lancashire Finance Leaders Forum: The Autumn Budget in Focus

Farington Lodge Hotel, Stanifield Lane, PR25 4QR

08:00 - 10:00

Blackburn Budget Breakfast 2026
LBV Website Events GraphicBudget Breakfast 30 Oct 2026

Blackburn Budget Breakfast 2026

Premier Suite, Blackburn Rovers FC, Blackburn, BB2 4JF

07:30 - 10:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV130 Online GraphicWebsite
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin