Marketing and Comms
How brands are evolving in the area of sustainability marketing and communications — and how their stakeholders are asserting their own needs and preferences.
A Brief History of Food Declarations; and the Path to Better Ones
Food is not about boxed brands on a shelf, but about people and the environment — hence, our need for food declarations. We’re working on one that not only certifies the ingredients, but shows consumers the impact they make with the purchase of each product.
Research Shows Business Imperative for Authentic Action to Address Social Injustices
Cross-Posted from 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.
Kolster to Brands: Avoid the ’Hero Trap’ and Close the Intention-Action Gap
Cross-Posted from Walking the Talk. Internationally recognised speaker and author Thomas Kolster, also known as Mr. Goodvertising, takes a hatchet to his earlier beliefs around purpose-driven brands in a new book, “The Hero Trap.” He says the one question brands need to be asking and acting on to change behaviors at scale and unlock sustainable growth that benefits all is ‘Who can you help people become?’
Trending: Heritage Brands Rush to Distance Themselves from Racially Stereotyped Images
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.
How to Communicate with Purpose During a Pandemic
As impact communicators and advisors, it’s our responsibility to remind those we work with and those we meet along the way that businesses that lead with purpose and credible, authentic values are those that will stand the test of time.
Storytelling Has the Power to Eliminate Institutional Racism, Forever
Cross-Posted from Walking the Talk. Corporate America, through storytelling, can eliminate institutional racist policies and laws to create economic opportunities for African Americans; and hence, themselves. I urge every corporation to create storytelling programs to weave your employee/client/supplier base into a seamless diversity quilt.
Is your SDG Response Defensive, Selective or Holistic?
Take a minute to scan your last sustainability report’s CEO statement, and to peel back the glossy SDG infographics. Can you say, hand on heart, that your company’s current SDG response really is creating system-wide value?
Brands Speak Out to Support Black Lives Matter, But Actions Speak Louder
Brands are more willing than ever to take public stands in support of important issues. But while many aren’t much more than social media sound bytes, others go beyond lip service to action.
How to Future-Proof Brands and Create Culture Change in Challenging Times
Day 2 of the SB Leadership Summit saw a host of intimate discussions on the power of teamwork to drive change toward a better future — as seen in the relationships between top brands’ CMOs and CSOs, the many brand partners fueling SB’s Brands for Good initiative, and making “what people need” a core brand focus.
What Role Will Shaming Play in a Post-Pandemic World?
Myriad opportunities exist to create a new “business as usual,” post-pandemic: People won’t need to be shamed into being more thoughtful or responsible if sustainable practices become the default in society and in business.
300+ Business Leaders Tell Congress: We Can Build Back Better
Cross-Posted from Collaboration. Last week’s LEAD on Climate 2020 sent a message to Congress that business leaders have not lost sight of the climate crisis — even as they tackle the COVID-19 crisis. Washington should follow their lead.
Talking to the Other Side: Keys for Setting Up Difficult Conversations
As we collectively grapple with issues that threaten our very existence, our new book reminds us that “othering” people won’t help us move forward. Instead, we need to temper how we engage with others by showing patience, kindness and empathy — regardless of political affiliation or beliefs.
LEAD on Climate 2020 to Be Largest-Ever Virtual Lawmaker Advocacy Day for Climate Action
300+ businesses in the largest-ever call to action from business leaders to the US Congress will call for a build-back-better strategy that centers around a resilient, clean energy economy.
Viral Ad Agency Offering Free Campaign to Small Business Hard-Hit by COVID-19
Harmon Brothers is holding a contest to offer its creative services to small businesses whose products or services are solving real problems for real people, free of charge.
It’s Time to Listen: What Rural Agricultural Communities Need During COVID-19
Cross-Posted from Supply Chain. As the pandemic continues, rural agricultural producers and their communities will need renewed levels of support and commitments from supply chain partners, to ensure their continued health and stability.
How to Uplevel Your Reporting for a Post-COVID-19 World
While it’s still too early to tell how significantly COVID-19 will alter our way of life, we’ve learned to challenge many of our preconceived notions about how to best do business — and solidifying your company’s place within this new order is critical. The true test is going to be whether we are capable of dramatic positive change even when not spurred by a global pandemic.
Trending: Virus, Be Damned — Fashion Industry Charges Ahead Toward Sustainable Future
Cross-Posted from Business Case. Even as COVID-19 continues to dominate headlines and the global consciousness, the 7th annual Fashion Revolution Week sees news and moves from Jeans Redesign, Vivienne Westwood and Fair Trade USA, to name a few.
90+ Companies Now Certified Climate Neutral
Cross-Posted from Walking the Talk. Barely a year since its launch, almost 100 brands are now sporting the label, demonstrating full accountability for their carbon footprint.
Environmental Data in the Time of Corona: Preparing for Shocks to the System
Cross-Posted from Finance & Investment. It has been heartening to see major organisations doing the right thing when it comes to dealing with the coronavirus: Follow the science. Although the COVID and climate crises are profoundly different, the parallels are obvious — and the key to surviving both is to use data-driven strategies to improve resilience to future shocks.
The Coronavirus Is Making Public Discourse Sick
When it comes to Coronavirus, the climate emergency or any other disaster, we shouldn’t antagonize; rather, we should empathise. If we learn to see beyond the tips of our noses and adopt a global empathy, we'll be able to tackle this virus — and the even bigger crisis of the climate emergency.
