Brands with missions

Our brands have the power to change people's lives for the better.

The second-biggest preventable killer of children in the world is diarrhoea, and yet simple hand-washing with soap can cut diarrhoeal diseases significantly. In 2007, in partnership with UNICEF, we piloted an education programme for schoolchildren in Uganda highlighting the importance of hand-washing with soap, underpinned by our soap brand Lifebuoy. Coupled with this, the Unilever Marketing Academy helped develop health promotion campaigns in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. During the year the brand grew by 9%.

Throughout the year, our Goodness of Margarine campaign spread the message in Europe that margarine contains essential fats and vitamins helpful in maintaining a healthy heart. The results were excellent and the campaign is rolling out further in 2008.

The Family Goodness spreads brand is raising funds as part of our three-year partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP) to provide nutritious school meals for children living in poverty. We are also sharing our nutrition and hygiene expertise and helping WFP develop a school education campaign as well as review the need for fortified foods.

Meanwhile, a major healthy eating campaign, Knorr Eat Colour, encouraged consumers to eat colourful vegetables, with the help of a range of new colour-themed products. The campaign was based on the insight that vegetables' bright hues indicate the presence of different beneficial antioxidants.

The Dove Campaign for Real Beauty made strides in its mission to raise the self-esteem of women. By the end of 2008 the Dove Self-Esteem Fund aims to have reached 1 million young girls in 20 countries through partnerships with organisations such as the Eating Disorders Association and Girl Scouts of America. Sales of Dove products are growing rapidly.

Our Dirt is Good positioning – which is used across countries on our main brands including Persil, Omo and Skip – is also flourishing. It promotes children's learning and development through physical activity – while the brands' innovative formulations mean parents don't need to worry about getting their children's clothes clean after outdoor play.