Category Archives: Communications

Universities Need to Protect Their Brands, too

Athletic conference realignments altering cherished rivalries within college sports. Alleged acts of pedophilia by coaching staff against children in their care. Compliance violations and a range of sometimes controversial penalties assessed against member schools. This is the context for which the NCAA and several of its marquee institutions enter into the previously hallowed football bowl season. Lack of preparation and poor decision-making have resulted in several senior administrators becoming a part of the anticipated December unemployment statistics instead of leading their schools or departments. This will indeed be a winter of unprecedented criminal investigations, litigation and adverse media coverage. As daily stories regarding the aspects of these events have unfolded on our TV screens and social media, several friends and journalists have called to ask how or if any of this could have been possibly prevented. Of course, no one can fully prevent horrendous judgment committed by individuals within an institution if a person is intent on engaging in morally reprehensible or criminal acts. However, more than ever before, boards of directors of corporations and university trustees are asking their senior executives to ensure that their institutions have a fresh crisis plan and that all the requisite stakeholders in the enterprise are equipped to operationalize it when the inevitable mayhem visits their doorstep.
Posted on Thursday, December 8th, 2011 By Tara Greco
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Corporate brands must add value to society

In my previous posts, I made the case that corporate branding is out of step with the reality of the market. Why, when given the ability of companies to adapt quickly to technological change, would corporate brands be out of step? To some degree, I think companies have been forced to adapt their operations and product marketing to technology because it has hit them over the head like a sledgehammer. The market quickly makes winners and losers, but the corporate brand doesn't cry out in the same way. It is harder to diagnose the harm a brand suffers from being left behind, making it less likely to get attention. There is, however, very tangible science available that documents the value of the corporate brand and its ability to predict things like sales, customer and employee loyalty, and even market capitalization.
Posted on Tuesday, December 6th, 2011 By SharedPurpose
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Europe and the missing debate on economic sustainability

As Europe’s governments inched toward a long-overdue grand bargain on dealing with the Eurozone debt crisis, I’ve been struck again by several curious lacunae in the way this crisis is described by its major players. Language matters, as it shapes our understanding of what’s happening and also the prospects for responding with shared purpose. Here [...]
Posted on Monday, October 3rd, 2011 By Rachel Thompson
Catogories  Communications | Leave a comment

Looking Forward to Better Reporting

The International Integrated Reporting Committee published a Discussion Paper on September 12 that presented a compelling case for integrated reporting. One of the more interesting statistics cited was that physical and financial assets represent a shrinking percentage of market value – falling from 83 percent in 1975 to 19 percent in 2009! Many of these intangible assets aren’t covered in most reports, which speaks to the need for different and more interconnected reporting. Some of the reasons it’s worth the read:
Posted on Thursday, September 15th, 2011 By Julie Jack
Also posted in Communicating CR, Reporting, Women and Girls | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Decade, New Consumer

On February 10, APCO Worldwide’s San Francisco office hosted an executive roundtable on the “New Decade, New Consumer: A ‘2020’ look at how brand and reputation drives business results in a connected, global economy.” Moderated by Shelby Coffey, former editor of the Los Angeles Times and member of APCO’s International Advisory Council, the panel featured senior-level communication executives from such leading companies as University of Phoenix*, IKEA*, Redphlag, and Facebook. The event attracted more than 90 attendees from Bay Area companies, including representatives from Gap, PlayFirst, Kodak Gallery* and Greenpeace.
Posted on Friday, February 11th, 2011 By Tara Greco
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Has CR Become a Parody?

We all saw it. We probably cringed a little. Groupon’s controversial “Save the Money” spot got the most ink for mocking the plethora of CR-focused advertising. It made me ask the question – are the feel good, socially responsible ads believable or has it just become a joke?
Posted on Wednesday, February 9th, 2011 By Aman Battish
Also posted in Cause Marketing, Communicating CR, CR in North America | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Social Purpose Meets Technology Innovation at CGI

Technology—especially mobile technology—has been a pervasive theme of CGI 2010. Most people recognize the tremendous power of technology to help connect people with each other and to useful information. Yesterday an interesting commitment was announced by Refugees United, Ericsson, and Delta Partners that typified this kind of application. Their new mobile phone application will help refugees locate their [...]
Posted on Thursday, September 23rd, 2010 By James Robinson
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Tony Hayward gets his life back

Last week I took part in a survey about the key sustainability lessons for business from the BP crisis. My number 1 lesson is that a third major industrial-environmental accident in five years can put your company’s right to exist on the line, especially when it occurs in a large and powerful country during an [...]
Posted on Monday, August 2nd, 2010 By Rachel Thompson
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Lazarus Effect: Waiting for the Sequel

Last week, HBO premiered The Lazarus Effect, a 30-minute documentary that tracks the transformation of three HIV patients in Africa after 40 days on antiretroviral treatment (ARVs). The film, a multi-media venture of the (RED) Campaign was produced by Lance Bangs and executive produced by Spike Jonze and Susan Smith Ellis. Featuring doctors, nurses and patients [...]
Posted on Tuesday, June 1st, 2010 By Aman Battish
Also posted in Community Engagement, Health, Nonprofit Operations and Communications, Philanthropy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Stars…They’re Just Like Us!

Along with millions of other Americans, I subscribe to Us Weekly. It’s a must-read publication for me every week. I don’t see the magazine as a great source for news, trends or thought-provoking topics…it’s more like candy for my brain.But every once in awhile, I stumble on a “healthy snack” in the pages of Us, [...]
Posted on Wednesday, May 19th, 2010 By Tara Greco
Also posted in Cause Marketing, Communicating CR, Community Engagement, Nonprofit Operations and Communications, Philanthropy, Volunteerism & Service | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment