Lying in his hospital bed, terminally ill teenager Stephen Sutton shared a photo on Facebook for his final week. A week later, he is still alive and has raised over £3 million for charity, showing the powerful effect of telling a personal story through social media.

People are willing to show support for social causes – provided they don't have to do much - and brands are finding new ways to tap into the strength of the herd. By re-engineering menial actions – from buying body lotion to having sex – there are ways to reward everyone.

Less than 10% of Brits regularly donate money to charity because it's 'inconvenient'. By seamlessly enabling online shoppers to donate as they spend, Give as you Live is activating a new market of donors, while freeing them from buyer's remorse.

In December 2013, the law allowing gay marriage was overturned in Australia – spurring outrage, as two thirds of people support same-sex unions. At Sydney's Mardi Gras, ANZ turned its cashpoints into glitzy GAYTMs, sending a bold statement: accept our cash, accept our values.

Kony 2012 achieved 100 million views in under one week, becoming the first viral video in history to do so. Like it or not, the campaign has resonated with millions of teenagers worldwide. How?

Sometimes there’s nothing better than indulging yourself. But as the desire to do good with minimal effort spreads, people are looking for that perfect medium between self-indulgence and selflessness. Enter One Hope Wine, part of California’s growing ‘cause brand’ trend.

Young Brits are politically minded. 70% think social media should be used for social change, and a quarter are highly knowledgable about politics. Yet only 12% would definitely vote in a general election. Why are they so disillusioned? And is engaging via social media the answer?

During the Sochi Olympics, big-name brands from Google to Channel 4 displayed their logos in rainbow colours to support LGBT rights. But why are brands being more open about their ethical and political stance, and do their customers really care?