Universal and its parent company, GE, announced this week that they are committing $25 million in environmentally conscious marketing funds to promote the June 22 release of the sequel Evan Almighty (the sequel to the smash hit Bruce Almighty, starring Steve Carell and Morgan Freeman). The marketing plan includes an eco-awareness campaign, which gives audiences tips on how to help prevent global warming.

When a media company commits to this magnitude, we are past the tipping point, leading to more and more media outlets trying to outdo each other (it's all ego driven in the end). Through their website, Getonboardnow.org, they've gotten 15,000 $5 donations that have planted 15,000 trees to the Almighty forest.

The film's director, Tom Shadyac (Ace Ventura Pet Detective, Liar Liar, Patch Adams, Bruce Almighty, The Nutty Professor, among others) most likely flew the Uni Gulfstream IV to see it rather than commercial, but so what? It's a great start. Partners in the marketing include Sheraton Hotels, Travelocity, LA Zoo, Dell Computers, BP Solar, and the Environmental Defense Fund.

Photo:Matt Millard photos.millardfam.com Creative Commons, Flickr