pinkwashing

pp.

Using support for breast cancer research to market products, particularly products that cause cancer. Also: pink-washing.

—pinkwash v.

Example Citations:

She also wonders whether corporations spend more money marketing the "pink" product than they contribute to the cause, and she accused some corporations, such as some cosmetic companies, of "pinkwashing," which means an item's production or usage may contribute to the development of cancer.

—Chrissie Thompson, "A palette of causes," The Washington Times, December 20, 2006

Pink-washing: An unflattering term coined by activists for pink products by companies that say they're helping fight breast cancer but are linked to practices that contribute to factors researchers say cause rising rates of the disease.

—Gabrielle Giroday, Think before you pink: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/story/4181699p-4771388c.html, Winnipeg Free Press, June 4, 2008

Earliest Citation:

The San Francisco-based advocacy group has singled out what it calls "corporate pinkwashing"—companies using their support of the breast cancer cause in "an effort to boost sales and promote their image among female consumers," according to the Think Before You Pink campaign's Web site ( www.thinkbeforeyoupink.org: http://www.thinkbeforeyoupink.org).

—Connie Lauerman, "Shopping for the cure," Chicago Tribune, October 23, 2002

Notes:

Pinkwashing is a blend of pink, the color associated with breast cancer research, and whitewashing, "concealing flaws." Many thanks to Laurie Mullikin for spying this term.

Related Words:

biostitute

greenwash

tobacco science

Categories:

Marketing

Diseases and Syndromes