Thinking

Although it has many different uses, at its core ESG forms the foundation of a company’s social responsibility and can be used as a measure of their commitment to it.

With the rising expectations for companies to create a positive impact on society from a variety of stakeholders and brands increasingly taking public stands on critical societal issues, understanding ESG is more crucial now than it has ever been. Yet, there is very little understanding of how views of ESG correlate to political beliefs. This report seeks to clarify public opinion on ESG issues across party lines, the impact of these efforts on constituent behavior, and how corporations can use ESG efforts to more effectively engage with stakeholders to advance public policy goals. Insights gained from this study provide surprising evidence of the bipartisan support for ESG efforts. 

Download the report to see what we found, and how it can apply to your organization.

Pitching is an art, and Vice President John Brandt is an accomplished artist- and communicator. Get his tips for artfully crafting a pitch that gets coverage in this article posted on LinkedIn.

Aside from churning out beloved flavors like Chunky Monkey and Cherry Garcia, Ben & Jerry’s has long made a name for itself as a corporate activist. As a household name, Ben & Jerry’s knows that its role as a company extends beyond the products it creates, holding itself to higher social and political standards and working to be a force for good in the industry and beyond. And while its bold and progressive stances on hot-button issues delivered good press and a growing social following during recent social movements like Black Lives Matter, the company’s recent announcement that it would end the sale of its products in occupied Palestinian territories was Half Baked at best.

Managing Director Lindsay Singleton and Senior Account Executive Cait Slone share their take on the announcement, and tips for navigating the increasingly complicated world of social impact communications in their latest piece for Morning Consult. Read the full article here.

During the summer months, many Americans hit the open roads to take a break from their desk job. That includes members of Congress. Each August, U.S. senators and representatives go back to their home states and districts for a few weeks to reconnect with the people they represent. It’s a golden opportunity for businesses, advocacy groups and trade associations to target local media markets to influence their representatives in Washington.

Senior Vice President Jeff Grappone shares his top tips for engaging lawmakers during the recess in this O’Dwyer’s article. Read the full article here.

Is social media killing off traditional media? ROKK Vice President John Brandt argues that if anything, it is transformative rather than destructive. Speaking at an event for the National Lieutenant Governors Association, Brandt laid out the importance of a well-managed social media strategy, and how it can be used to further strategic communications goals.

Read Brandt’s remarks here.

The recent return of a full White House briefing room is the surest sign yet that Washington is getting back to normal.

With the explosive growth of virtual meetings during the pandemic, many American industries were fundamentally transformed during the COVID crisis. While some sectors will be permanently changed, that likely won’t include Washington Inc…

Read more from Senior Vice President Jeff Grappone here.

With American adults spending over 2 hours per day on social media sites, businesses are no longer just anonymous entities that supply goods and services.  They are influencing people on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, participating in conversations with clear personalities while expressing opinions. And increasingly, these engagements include expressions of social, and even, political values. But many corporations have felt the sting of saying the wrong thing– everything from speaking up too late to not speaking up at all to speaking up too soon, too loud, or with an unpopular opinion. Co-founding partner Ron Bonjean and strategic advisor Steve Rochlin share their best practices for businesses considering a forward-leaning position in politics, policy or on a social issue.

Read the article here.

At some point, every company that produces consumer or commercial products will face questions or a crisis related to the effectiveness or safety of what they sell.  While recalls are by definition unexpected, organizations can take steps to shorten their duration and lessen their impact. SVP Mark Paustenbach and VP John Brandt share five things to remember before, during and after an incident with O’Dwyers.

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It’s been a tumultuous year. If one thing has become clear between a once-in-a-century global pandemic, a nationwide reckoning over racial injustice and the 2020 presidential election, it’s that equitable solutions need to be prioritized. This includes continuing the fight for pay equity to close the gender pay gap in America.

Ironically landing during Women’s History Month, today we also recognize the 25th National Equal Pay Day and how there is still a significant disparity in how men and women are paid simply because of their gender…

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During COVID, it’s no secret that many professionals have more time on their hands given non-existent morning routines, 15-30 second commutes to and from work and lack of social events. In turn, digital content consumption has soared (more than doubled actually) and PR pros have garnered particular affinity to regular e-newsletter consumption as the platform as a whole continues to thrive. HubSpot reported 73% of millennials prefer communications from businesses to come via email and 78% of marketers have seen an increase in email engagement over the past year.

Here are six inspiring newsletters recommended for all you current and future district PR lady bosses out there…

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