ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE -
Day 1 of Sustainable Brands’ Just Brands virtual event brought together business, racial justice and social good leaders for frank discussions on the context for racial inequities in the US, what equity really means in 2020, and businesses' role in creating it.
ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE -
Target’s new Racial Equity Action and Change committee (REACH) has created an action plan which focuses on four areas: Team, Guests, Communities and Civic Engagement and Public Policy.
ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE -
Recognizing the urgent need to hold travel brands and destinations accountable for their lack of diversity in travel marketing and storytelling, the Black Travel Alliance was formed practically overnight to support Black content creators and increase representation in the industry.
FINANCE & INVESTMENT -
Two longtime players in small-business lending and empowering low-income communities are joining forces to scale up equitable wealth creation in
communities of color.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
This year’s global challenges centered around four themes: Sustainable and Healthy Food for All, Climate Change/Circular Economy, Innovation for Inclusive Trade, and Innovation for Peace and Justice.
WALKING THE TALK -
Cannabis producer Viola Brands is determined to increase minority representation in the industry. Its Viola Cares program provides education, employment and other resources; in order to create 10,000 jobs within the cannabis industry for Black people.
ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE -
We are living in a moment that’s demanding employers to change the way in which they position themselves — if they really believe in inclusion — while Black employees can really evaluate where they are and how they feel about their workplace.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
Finally, something both parties can agree on — the passage of the Great American Outdoors Act is not only a beacon of hope for preservation of the US’ national parks, it could help ensure that the entire country has access to the restorative power of nature.
MARKETING AND COMMS -
Keith Cartwright, the creative force behind such powerful statement ads as P&G’s “The Look” and “The Choice,” shares his insights and advice to brands and agencies on how to most authentically respond in times of crisis.
WALKING THE TALK -
While the majority of companies recognize that social impact is valuable, few have managed to successfully integrate it into one of the most mission-critical
activities: their sales strategy.
NEW METRICS -
The Sustainable Development Goals serve as an urgent call to action for companies to pay as much attention to their extra-financial performance as to their financial performance.
FINANCE & INVESTMENT -
The recent spotlight on racial justice in the US has also highlighted the financial industry's role in perpetuating discrimination. Many have responded by donating money to nonprofits, but a regenerative approach to investing that start to undo decades of chronic underinvestment is needed.
WALKING THE TALK -
We know that we can buy less, use less, work from home, drive less, collaborate more; and have business, society and government move faster — because we just did all of that. How can we respond as powerfully and courageously to other super-critical threats?
WALKING THE TALK -
Much-needed updates to a growing number of brands in response to the Black Lives Matter movement is a great start. But deep, lasting impact requires two main actions — apologies; and adjusting the social paradigm.
BEHAVIOR CHANGE -
In just over two weeks, the Stop Hate for Profit campaign has rallied the support of over 400 companies — all of which have pulled their advertising dollars from Facebook and Instagram for the month of July.
FINANCE & INVESTMENT -
More funds and firms are targeting financially underserved communities, but the impact investing movement and government funding need to be more accessible and intentional to address systemic inequalities and racial disparities in investing.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
Along with the release of its 2019 Sustainable Impact Report, the tech giant has set bold goals around reduction of single-use plastics and increasing recycled materials; and committed to doubling its number of Black executives by 2025.
WALKING THE TALK -
The latest Porter Novelli Purpose Tracker reveals a new mandate for US companies to authentically and substantively address racial inequality and myriad social justice issues.
MARKETING AND COMMS -
Amidst the social unrest that has flooded the US since the murder of George Floyd, four household-name food brands, whose brand identities have long centered around racial stereotypes, are updating their images and logos to reflect the changing societal consciousness.
CHEMISTRY, MATERIALS & PACKAGING -
New report highlights the huge potential of manmade fibers such as viscose, modal and lyocell to create a more sustainable future, and outlines a sector-wide vision that could revolutionize multiple industries.