BOSTON: Consumers think companies should keep up their cause-marketing work, even during a recession, according to the 2010 Cone Cause Evolution Study. More than 80% of Americans have the same or even higher expectations for companies when it comes to cause marketing during tough economic times.

Additionally, despite the high saturation of cause campaigns and nonprofit programs, 83% of consumers still want to see more brands, products, and companies support worthy causes.

"We were really encouraged ...