Waterborne illness is the second leading cause of preventable childhood deaths worldwide, killing an estimated 4,000 children every day. That's why the UNICEF Tap Project, now in its sixth year, is asking thousands of volunteers, restaurants, partners and individuals to protect young lives with safe, clean water.

A donation of $1 for a glass of tap water during World Water Week, March 19-25, at participating restaurants across the U.S. will give a child clean, safe water for 40 days, or 40 children safe water for one day. 

“Many of us consume and use safe, clean water every day without thinking twice. Meanwhile, in communities across the globe, disease can spread with lethal swiftness for the millions of children and adults who lack access to a safe water source and adequate sanitation,” said President and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF Caryl Stern. “Today, for too many of the world’s children, clean water can mean the difference between life and death.”Continue reading...

On Monday, February 28, audiences in the United Kingdom will begin to see legal product placement in TV and other programming. The allowance follows relaxed rules on the advertising practice by Ofcom, the UK's independent regulator and competition authority for the communications industries. 

If anyone had any doubt that product placement in the UK was about to get serious, it was erased late last year when the NMA Group announced that it would be entering the market there (via a partnership with Bellwood Media).

The Hollywood based NMA is a heavyweight of brand integration and product placement, representing major brands including Dunkin' Donuts, General Motors and Heineken. Its formal entry to the UK market anticipates what's expected to be a £100 million sector.

After the jump, a deeper look into the new rules and an interview with an agency about how things could shake out as Britain warily embraces product placement.Continue reading...