As you have probably heard by now, Google has chosen to install high speed internet in Kansas City, KS (Story from NPR below):

20110331_atc_14.mp3 Listen on Posterous

I’m really excited about the idea of a brand creating long term value through infrastructure investment. Obviously, I can’t be totally sure what Google’s ultimate aim is, but I hope Kansas City, KS becomes a case study for the economic power of top internet infrastrucure. If this goes well (economic growth in Kansas City, KS), the government may invest more readily in installing high speed internet across the US, with Google winning the coveted contract.

Currently, the US ranks 15th in average internet broadband speed gloabaly. So this seems like an apt problem for Google to address:

I love the idea of brands growing economically by investing in infrastructure. Especially in places that are suffering both socially and economically.

It is in the best interest of brands and their agency partners to form these types of relationships, where brands can provide tangible social value  and sustain long term growth. Stuff like this makes me think its possible. Am I naive? Probably. But examples like Google make me think that profit does not always have to arrive at the expense of the poorest parts of society. Maybe smart marketing can spurr economic growth in a way that actually benefits society as a whole.