NPC Communicators Lunch & Learn: Corporate Social Responsibility
Nov 16 2021
WHEN:
Nov 16, 2021 at 12:00pm
WHERE:
Online
CONTACT INFO:
Tom McMahon
MORE INFO:
Professional Development
Registration/tickets required
Taking a stand is no longer an option for most corporations. Amidst political polarization, there is an increasing need for authentic leadership from the private sector — the workforce and consumers are demanding it.
On Tuesday, Nov. 16, from noon to 1 p.m., the National Press Club’s Communicators Team will host a Lunch & Learn program to discuss how public relations and corporate social responsibility (CSR) are increasingly entwined. The speakers will be from Patagonia, the international outdoor clothing company that is a trailblazer in CSR and environmental sustainability, and Countable, a firm that helps brands like Patagonia take a stand.
CSR is no longer just about businesses giving back to their local communities — brands are now expected to take a lead in society. This evolution requires authentic and relevant messaging and business strategies to meet the needs and expectations of the workforce and consumers for employee wellbeing, social responsibility and environmental sustainability.
Countable activates audiences with privately branded social networks to power sustainability and CSR goals. It’s about going beyond the press release to inspire authentic communication and change for good. Countable also powers Causes.com where anyone can interact with the news and take action for causes they believe in.
In partnership with Levi’s and PayPal, Patagonia created the Time to Vote movement with nearly 2,000 other companies ahead of the 2020 election. By the 2020 election, Time to Vote covered 8 million U.S. employees giving them time off from work to vote.
This session will examine the corporate purpose movement that is reshaping the PR and business strategy landscape with authentic leadership and stakeholder capitalism and the direction of its future.
Registration
NPC Members: Admission is free for all National Press Club members. NPC members must be logged into their member account on press.org to see the free registration option.
Non-members: Non-member guests may attend for a $15 fee, with all proceeds going to support the NPC Staff Holiday Fund. The Fund recognizes the service and dedication of the Club’s employees, especially during another challenging year caused by the continuing impact of COVID-19.
About the Panelists
J.J. Huggins
J.J. Huggins works on the PR and Communications team at Patagonia, a California-based outdoor clothing company that’s in business to save our home planet. He has been with Patagonia since 2012 and previously spent seven years as a local news reporter in Massachusetts, working at two different daily newspapers and covering politics, crime and the courts.
Bart Myers
Bart Myers is the Founder and CEO of Countable. Countable empowers organizations to effectively build, manage and measure the impact of digital communities. The firm’s clients include Starbucks, Levi's, DNCC, EDF, GLAAD and Patagonia. Prior to founding Countable, Bart was involved in building several startups including SideReel, which was acquired by TiVo. He is also a strategic advisor with The Centre for Responsible Leadership.
Mathews Pierson
Mathews Pierson works in Business Development, Countable, where he helps organizations engage their communities, take action, and power their purpose. He has led and managed a variety of organizations, including private sector, campaigns, and government both domestically and abroad, including Paypal, the District of Columbia and several presidential and congressional candidates. He was also director of politics for the websites of 24 local CBS-affiliated television stations.