Avon and its

CSR
Advertising management CIA

Anish Rao 08d1334 BBM-D(Marketing 2)

Avon and its Corporate Social Responsibility

Avon
Avon, the company for women, is a leading global beauty company, with $10 billion in annual
revenue. As the world's largest direct seller, Avon markets to women in more than 100 countries
through 5.4 million independent Avon Sales Representatives. Avon's product line includes
beauty products, fashion jewelry and apparel, and features such well-recognized brand names as
Avon Color, Anew, Skin-So-Soft, Advance Techniques, Avon Naturals, and Mark.

A brief history

The roots of Avon can be traced back to 1886, when struggling door-to-door salesman David
McConnell made the decision to sell perfumes, rather than books to New York homes. Known in
those days as The California Perfume Company, the business quickly prospered and our
founder David H. McConnell, appointed his first General Agent, Mrs Albee. At a time before
women even had the right to vote, Mrs Albee was instrumental in establishing the unique sales
method that continues to be Avon's hallmark today.

Having been enchanted by the beauty of Stratford upon Avon during a visit to England, David
McConnell was inspired, and in 1939 he chose the name 'Avon' for his growing international
company. AVON today is the number 1 direct selling beauty company in the world and for 123
years has economically empowered women in over 100 countries.

Avon was launched in India in September 1996, and is currently present in 9 states and 1 union
territory in the country through Service Delivery Points & Avon Beauty Zones located at
accessible locations. The Avon product line includes such recognizable brand names as Avon
Color, Anew, Avon Solutions, Avon Naturals, Little Black Dress & lots more. Avon also
markets an extensive line of fashion jewelry & accessories. Avon stays at the forefront of the
beauty marketplace by bringing leading-edge, technology-based products to women around the
world. A global beauty icon, a world leader in lipsticks, fragrances and anti-aging skin care
makes Avon a top global brand.
What is CSR
Corporate social responsibility (CSR), also known as corporate responsibility, corporate
conscience, corporate citizenship, responsible business, sustainable responsible
business (SRB), or corporate social performance is a form of corporate self-
regulation integrated into a business model. Ideally, CSR policy would function as a built-in,
self-regulating mechanism whereby business would monitor and ensure its support to law,
ethical standards, and international norms. Consequently, business would embrace responsibility
for the impact of its activities on the environment, consumers, employees,
communities, stakeholders and all other members of the public sphere. Furthermore, CSR-
focused businesses would proactively promote the public interest by encouraging community
growth and development, and voluntarily eliminating practices that harm the public sphere,
regardless of legality. Essentially, CSR is the deliberate inclusion of public interest into
corporate decision-making, and the honoring of a triple bottom line: people, planet, profit.
The practice of CSR is much debated and criticized. Proponents argue that there is a strong
business case for CSR, in that corporations benefit in multiple ways by operating with a
perspective broader and longer than their own immediate, short-term profits. Critics argue that
CSR distracts from the fundamental economic role of businesses; others argue that it is nothing
more than superficial window-dressing; yet others argue that it is an attempt to pre-empt the role
of governments as a watchdog over powerful multinational corporations. Corporate Social
Responsibility has been redefined throughout the years. However, it essentially is titled to aid an
organization's mission as well as a guide to what the company stands for and will uphold to its
consumers.
Development business ethics is one of the forms of applied ethics that examines ethical
principles and moral or ethical problems that can arise in a business environment.
In the increasingly conscience-focused marketplaces of the 21st century, the demand for
more ethical business processes and actions (known as ethicism) is increasing. Simultaneously,
pressure is applied on industry to improve business ethics through new public initiatives and
laws (e.g. higher UK road tax for higher-emission vehicles).
Business ethics can be both a normative and a descriptive discipline. As a corporate practice and
a career specialization, the field is primarily normative. In academia, descriptive approaches are
also taken. The range and quantity of business ethical issues reflects the degree to which business
is perceived to be at odds with non-economic social values. Historically, interest in business
ethics accelerated dramatically during the 1980s and 1990s, both within major corporations and
within academia. For example, today most major corporate websites lay emphasis on
commitment to promoting non-economic social values under a variety of headings (e.g. ethics
codes, social responsibility charters). In some cases, corporations have re-branded their core
values in the light of business ethical considerations (e.g. BP's "beyond petroleum"
environmental tilt).
The term "CSR" came in to common use in the early 1970s, after many multinational
corporations formed, although it was seldom abbreviated. The term stakeholder, meaning those
on whom an organization's activities have an impact, was used to describe corporate owners
beyond shareholders as a result of an influential book by R Freeman in 1984.

Avon’s CSR
Since 1886, Avon has lived by principles set forth by our founder, David H. McConnell. They
are not rules or procedures. They are the values & the ethics of Avon and what this company
believes in. Paramount among Avon’s principles is "to meet fully the obligations of corporate
citizenship by contributing to the well - being of society, and the environment in which it
functions." The company was founded on solid values and principles with a longstanding
commitment to the highest standards of ethics and integrity. As a result, Avon has been
consistently recognized as one of the most admired companies and one of the best companies to
work for.

Consumer safety is Avon’s number one priority. Avos is committed to selling only safe products,
using only safe ingredients in our cosmetics products and complying with applicable regulations
in every county in which Avon products are sold.Avon is the first major beauty company to stop
animal testing in 1989. Avon commits large amounts to product safety & research. The state-of-
the art $100 million Avon Research and Development center is located in Suffern, New York,
where specialists work with world-renowned scientific institutions to develop beauty products
that meet the needs of women globally.

Today, they pride themselves on meeting the environmental and product safety laws and
regulations of the countries and communities in which they operate. To this day, the heritage of
Avon’s Founding Principles – together with the company’s Vision, Mission and Values –
continue to chart their course & remain fundamental to how they conduct their business
operations all over the world. 
 Avon Breast Cancer Crusade 
The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade was launched in 1992 as a small pioneering program in the
U.K. Avon in the U.S. adopted the Crusade the following year. Over the last 18 years, Avon
philanthropy has raised and donated almost $700 million to breast cancer programs around the
world, supporting cutting-edge research to find a cure for or prevent breast cancer as well as
programs that enable all patients to access quality care.Funding supports awareness and
education: screening and diagnosis; access to treatment; support services; and scientific research.
Beneficiaries of the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade range from leading cancer research and clinical
centers to community-based, non-profit breast health education programs.  

Numerous Avon Crusade programs raise funds and awareness for the cause including:
 Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Series
 Walk Around the World for Breast Cancer
 Crusade Pink Ribbon fundraising products

Speak Out Against Domestic Violence

One in three women in the U.S. will become a victim of abuse or partner violence in her life, and
it is estimated some 15 million children witness violence in their families each year.   To help
end this devastating cycle, the Avon Foundation launched Speak Out Against Domestic Violence
in 2004 to raise awareness and funds and launch special efforts to increase the understanding and
implementation of laws aimed at stopping violence.  Through the end of 2010, in the U.S. alone,
they have  provided more than $23 million for the domestic and gender violence cause, including
support for awareness, education, direct service and prevention programs. Funds and visibility
are raised through the sale of special Speak Out and Empowerment fundraising pdroucts,
magazine Public Service Announcements and Walk the Course Against Domestic Violence a
fundraising event launched in 2009 with the PGA Tour Wives Association. 
Emergency Relief
As global corporate citizens, Avon Products, Inc. and the Avon Foundation for Women together
respond quickly to national and international emergencies. Since 2001 nearly $19 million has
been awarded for women and their families affected by natural disasters or crises, including: the
Avon Heart of America Fund in response to the attacks of September 11, 2001; the Avon Yellow
Ribbon Fund to assist military service personnel lost or wounded in Iraq and other armed
conflicts; the Avon Heart of Asia campaign to assist victims of the tsunami in southeast Asia;
extensive fundraising and product donations for relief efforts following Hurricanes Katrina and
Rita; and aid for relief and reconstruction efforts following the earthquake in China in 2008. 
Most recently, Avon donated over $2 million for relief and recovery following the devastating
earthquake in Haiti on Janaury 12, 2010.