In honor of Pride Month, the Museum of PR held a forum where PR pros who are members of the LGBTQ+ community discussed how the industry has helped raise awareness around Pride. In addition, they spoke about their experiences being PR pros and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Corporate Social Responsibility
New FleishmanHillard Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer: We Need Substantive Change
July 1st, 2020 by PRNewsAs part of our series of interviews with senior PR pros in new positions, we spoke recently with Emily Graham, FleishmanHillard’s first chief diversity & inclusion officer. During her 15-year career, Graham says she’s seen no evidence that PR has made strides toward diversity. Actions not words are needed now, she says.
Public Service Announcements Rally America to Fight the Coronavirus
July 1st, 2020 by PRNewsIn March, when COVID-19 was declared a pandemic, many communicators realized that they faced a problem that required an immediate PR response. How could the government quickly educate the public about ways to fight the novel coronavirus? Television broadcasters helped provide an answer.
Brands Turn Their Backs on Facebook Advertising
June 22nd, 2020 by Nicole SchumanA group of several civil rights organizations banded together last week, launching a campaign against Facebook in response to the allowance of what they define as hate speech. The NAACP, Anti-Defamation League, Color of Change, Sleeping Giants and Common Sense Media have all called for advertisers to halt all paid-post spending for the month of July.
Pride Month and Black Lives Matter Provide Intersectional Messaging
June 12th, 2020 by Nicole SchumanIn non-COVID times Pride supporters filled their calendars with parades and events across the globe, celebrating the beauty and importance of LGBTQ+ rights and representation. It seems only fitting during this time of another equality movement, Black Lives Matter, that messaging reflect a nod to the history of Pride—an uprising against police brutality by the queer community.
How The Michael J. Fox Foundation Navigates This Uncertain Time
June 12th, 2020 by Kathy BloomgardenKathy Bloomgarden, CEO of Ruder Finn, spoke with Holly Teichholtz, SVP communications and content strategies at The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. The two discussed pandemic-related disruptions to the workplace, the future of work, and how the nonprofit sector can best respond to the Black Lives Matter movement.
Face, Off: IBM, Amazon and Microsoft Limit Police Use of Surveillance AI
June 11th, 2020 by Sophie MaerowitzEarlier this week, IBM and Amazon said they will pull back from facial recognition technology contracts with law enforcement. The use of machine learning technology that detects faces has come under renewed scrutiny for racial bias. In addition, the technology is known to be flawed, particularly when applied to non-white faces. Until today, Microsoft was notably quiet on the issue, given it too has provided facial recognition software to police.
Cross-Cultural Marketing and Messaging During a Dual Pandemic
June 8th, 2020 by Helen SheltonWe’re at a crossroads, so the question is not whether brands should speak out, but how. Yet lacking an authentic message backed up with action, brands can be headed for disaster. In addition, before wading into multicultural communication and marketing, know your audience, be respectful and commit to a long-term commitment.
Mr. Floyd and My Dad: Moving from Exclusion to Inclusion
June 7th, 2020 by Angela ChitkaraThe killing of George Floyd led the author to think of her father, an immigrant who poured his life into his children. He expected that providing his children with a strong education would help them succeed professionally and personally. Pure merit isn’t enough when structural racism and exclusionary practices exist. The status quo must go, the author argues. Stakeholder capitalism is here to stay.
How Companies Can Avoid Making Empty Statements About Diversity
June 4th, 2020 by Wendy RoundtreeMany companies and organizations are taking stands in support of recent events. More than a few of their statements fall flat. There are several things an organization should consider before it takes a stand. First, avoid empty statements, be sensitive, honest and, most important, say something real.