The importance of fit: a predictive model of cause marketing effects

A predictive model was developed to help brands improve cause-related marketing campaigns by identifying the most impactful relationships among important campaign variables. The largest effect in the MASEM model (K = 81, N = 25,554) was found for cause-brand fit on attitudes toward the cause-brand alliance (beta = .40). Two of the four proposed belief factors examined acted as mediating variables: consumers' involvement with the cause and their skepticism. Three attitude factors mediated the impact of beliefs on CRM purchase intentions: perceptions of cause-brand fit, attitude toward the brand, and attitudes toward the CRM alliance. Skepticism also had a direct negative effect on CRM purchase intentions.