I read a story today, and I'm not sure if this is an example of corporate social responsibility or cause-related marketing...Brandon Crisp, a 15-year-old boy from Barrie, ON disappeared after being told that he was no longer allowed to play his Microsoft Xbox game system that his parents felt he was addicted to. He hasn't been seen since leaving his home twelve days ago. Yesterday, the boy's father "appealed to 'the highest levels of Microsoft' " for assistance in finding his son.
Microsoft, who has been cooperating fully with the investigation, went one step further than bypassing the company's privacy policy and doubled the reward money originally offered for information on Brandon's whereabouts to $50,000. I heard a lot of criticism of Microsoft for doing this - mainly because some people were personally offended that they don't offer a reward for all missing children. But the fact of the matter is that their product, at least in the minds of Brandon Crisp's parents, caused the fight which led to his disappearance. So, at first I was wondering what it was a better example of, but then I realized that none of that really matters. What matters most is that Brandon is found and comes home, safe and sound.
**Update Nov 5, 2008** Hunters in the Barrie area came across the body of a teenage boy today - police have not released anything official, but they have stated that the clothes the boy was in match those that Brandon was wearing, and was close to the place where Brandon was last seen. No details have been released concerning the cause of death, but in my opinion, none of that matters right now. My thoughts are going out to Brandon's family and friends - may they find that strength in each other to get through this horribly tragic event.
**Update Nov 7, 2008** An autopsy was conducted today and the body is, in fact, that of Brandon Crisp. He displayed injuries that were indicative of a fall from a tree. Funeral services will take place in Barrie on Friday, November 14th.
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