ESG News from Leading Brands

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

National Geographic Wins Inaugural Cynopsis Media Social Good Impact Award for Exceptional Pro-Social Work

Mar 7, 2017 7:30 PM ET

On Thursday, March 2, Cynopsis Media honored National Geographic with its inaugural Impact Award in the Network category at their third annual Social Good Awards in New York City. The Social Good Awards recognize brands, campaigns, and individuals for outstanding work in areas ranging from environmental initiatives to voter registration to combatting addiction.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Sacramento Kings Eyes of Hope Eyewear Donation Drive

Mar 7, 2017 7:15 PM ET

Slamson and VSP Vision Care President, Kate Renwick-Espinosa encourage the Sacramento community to donate their gently-used glasses at the annual Sacramento Kings Eyes of Hope Eyewear Donation Drive on Good Day Sacramento. VSP will be collecting gently-used eyewear at the Sacramento Kings game on Monday, March 14. For each pair of glasses donated, VSP will donate a comprehensive eye-exam and new glasses to someone in need!

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Inspiring Girls to Stay in STEM and #MakeWhatsNext

Mar 7, 2017 4:20 PM ET

As a new college graduate, my first job was to speak at high schools across the U.S. to inspire students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields. As part of this program, called “Previews of Progress,” I demonstrated “new” technologies in areas like lasers, turbine engines and hydraulics to get students excited about the possibilities.

Health & Healthcare

What Goes into a Chocolate Bar? | Creating Shared Value at Nestlé USA

Mar 7, 2017 4:05 PM ET

Environment

A Global Plan to Save Coral Reefs from Extinction

Mar 7, 2017 4:00 PM ET

‘50 Reefs’ Initiative Seeks to Protect Critical Ecosystem Threatened by Climate Change, Preventing Economic, Human Health & Environmental Disaster

Data-Driven Approach Led by Bloomberg Philanthropies with The Tiffany & Co. Foundation and The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation

Events, Media & Communications

Ethical Corporation Partners with PYXERA Global in Europe – Just Announced!

Mar 7, 2017 3:45 PM ET

PYXERA Global is delighted to announce the expansion of its relationship with Ethical Corporation. Building on the momentum of the two organizations’ partnership, this alliance will drive the movement for responsible business, CSR, and sustainability executives to link social purpose to profit.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Photo Gallery from Whole Planet Foundation’s 2017 pre-GRAMMY® Benefit & Showcase

Mar 7, 2017 3:15 PM ET

GRAMMY-nominees La Santa Cecila and Rene Marie performed at the February 9 event.

Events, Media & Communications

Aspiring to be a Mensch: Big Budget TV Spots Lead with Social Impact Messages

Mar 7, 2017 3:15 PM ET

Being a mensch seems to connect with consumers.

Two big-budget national TV ad campaigns – one from pharma giant Pfizer and the other from the wealth management firm Ameriprise Financial – are trying to drive sales through storylines involving the kind of social impact work usually reserved for nonprofits and corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs.

Health & Healthcare

The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America Recognizes MS Awareness Month with New Video

Mar 7, 2017 3:05 PM ET

March is recognized as Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month and the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) is proud to support this national campaign with the launch of our new video titled, Changing Lives Monday to Sunday.

Education

Science is a Slam Dunk with GSK Science in the Summer™

Mar 7, 2017 3:00 PM ET

Slam dunks, home runs and field goals all have the same thing in common, the thrill of science in motion. This summer, students in the Philadelphia area will explore the science behind their favorite sports when GSK Science in the Summer™ returns to local libraries for its 31st year. GSK Science in the Summer™ is a free and fun science enrichment program for elementary students, sponsored by GSK and administered by The Franklin Institute. This year, the program will introduce a new course for the first time in more than a decade – the Science of Sports. Registration is limited and will begin online at www.scienceinthesummer.com this May.

Education

VMware CodeHouse: Incubator for Impactful Work

Mar 7, 2017 2:00 PM ET

Diversity & Inclusion

Northern Trust Corporation Women in Leadership Business Resource Council Kicking off Women's History Month

Mar 7, 2017 2:00 PM ET

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

New Resource: Advancing Strategy

Mar 7, 2017 2:00 PM ET

Implementing a CSR or corporate foundation strategy may be even harder than developing it.

Environment

Lead-Headed Hunting Laws

Mar 7, 2017 1:55 PM ET

On his first day on the job, newly appointed Secretary of the Interior, Ryan Zinke, rode to work on a horse. This was obviously a rugged, outdoor enthusiast - someone who must care about the environment, right? Well, that same day, one of Secretary Zinke's first acts in office was to repeal the ban on lead ammunition in national parks, tribal lands and national wildlife refuge areas -- an order that the Obama Administration had signed near the end of 2016.

Health & Healthcare

Ecocentricity Blog: How to Build Health and Wellness

Mar 7, 2017 1:15 PM ET

Think about how much of your day is spent indoors. Seriously, take a moment and guess a rough percentage.

Diversity & Inclusion

The 2017 DiversityFIRST™ Certification Program Makes First Stop in San Antonio, Texas

Mar 7, 2017 1:00 PM ET

The National Diversity Council’s DiversityFIRST™ Certification Program will hold its first 2017 session on May 22 to 26 at the University of Phoenix-San Antonio Campus. The purpose of the program is to prepare participants to create an implement highly successful D&I strategies for organizational excellence.

Events, Media & Communications

How Valuable is Your Brand -- and What Are You Doing to Enhance the Brand Through Your Company's Sustainability Journey?

Mar 7, 2017 12:45 PM ET

Some of the most popular -- and valuable -- brands in the world are housed under the big umbrella of Unilever (and consider that the Anglo-Dutch parent company name itself is a valuable brand). Think Unilever brands: Dove (soap); Hellmanns (mayo); Lipton(tea); Breyer's (ice cream); and Ben & Jerry's (one of the great pioneers in CSR and purveyors of iconic ice creams).

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Being a Friend and Mentor to Youth, Damien’s Personal Commitment to the Community

Mar 7, 2017 12:00 PM ET

Bloomberg employees give back to local communities with their talents, time and hearts. Damien Savage in Bloomberg Government reflects on the most rewarding aspects of mentoring at-risk youth and how it led him to help launch Bloomberg Startup in Washington, DC.

Research, Reports & Publications

Companies are Purchasing Sophisticated Software Tools to Improve EHS&S Transparency

Mar 7, 2017 11:55 AM ET

The survey of 172 ‘in-house’ EHS&S leaders revealed that one-third (33%) of those who are currently shopping for a new system are doing so to provide greater external transparency.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

These Children Aren’t Just Any Kids, They Are My Kids

Mar 7, 2017 11:00 AM ET

It may sound cliché but I like helping people. Providing knowledge and assistance is very rewarding. Child welfare allowed me to tap into a wide variety of things such as finding valuable resources for families, increasing my ability to be objective and my passion to help our most vulnerable.

Health & Healthcare

Hand Hygiene and Surface Disinfection: The Role Each Plays in Flu Prevention

Mar 7, 2017 10:45 AM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

JetBlue’s Sophia Mendelsohn Honored For Individual Leadership At Sixth Annual Climate Leadership Awards

Mar 7, 2017 10:45 AM ET

Sophia Mendelsohn, JetBlue’s director of sustainability, was awarded the Individual Leadership Award for guiding the airline’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.

Environment

How to Effectively Communicate Your Hospital Recycling Program's Successes and Lessons Learned

Mar 7, 2017 9:40 AM ET

Communication is vital in sharing your successes and challenges, and in keeping key stakeholders engaged in your hospital’s plastics recycling program. In developing a communication plan, consider what information you want to convey, the target audience(s,) both internal and external, and ​the call to action you want to move people to take, if there is one. These issues are discussed further at the HPRC website.

Environment

International WELL Building Institute™ To Lead Consortium Developing Global Set of Standards for Indoor and Outdoor Environmental Quality Monitoring Systems and Sensors

Mar 7, 2017 9:30 AM ET

The International WELL Building Institute™ (IWBI™), along with RESET™, the Building Research Establishment (BRE) and the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) today announced a joint agreement to work together to develop a coordinated set of global standards and guidelines for indoor and outdoor environmental monitoring systems and sensors.

Environment

Cascadian Farm Invests in Kernza® Perennial Grain with Promising Restorative Benefits for Farms

Mar 7, 2017 9:20 AM ET

Cascadian Farm, a pioneer in the organic food movement, and parent company General Mills today announced their work with The Land Institute (TLI) to help commercialize organic Kernza®, a perennial grain (intermediate wheatgrass) and wild relative of annual wheat, whose deep roots show promise to increase soil health, carbon sequestration, water retention and enhance surrounding wildlife habitat. The sweet- and nutty-tasting grain lends itself particularly well as an ingredient for cereal and snacks.