Mediaboss Marketing

Highlights

The importance of the S in ESG has increased in recent years for a number of reasons, including: changing consumer attitudes, greater attention to social issues, regulatory pressure, investor demand, and financial performance

Companies can implement social practices to improve ESG performance, such as promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion; combatting forced labor and human trafficking; and applying responsible and ethical supply chain practices

Implementation of effective social practices is integral to development of successful environmental and governance strategies

Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria have become increasingly important in assessing a company's ethical and sustainability performance. While the environmental and governance aspects often receive the most attention, it is crucial not to overlook the S, or social, component a company's impact on society and its stakeholders.

Historically, initiatives, policies and practices that companies can implement to improve their E, S, and G performance intersect and overlap at various points. However, the importance of the S in ESG has increased in recent years for a number of reasons:

In short, the increasing importance of the S in ESG reflects a growing recognition that a company's impact on society is a critical factor in its long-term success. Indeed, successful environmental and governance strategies are dependent on implementing an effective social sustainability strategy.This article discusses the kinds of practices that companies can implement to potentially improve their social performance and contribute positively to the ESG landscape.

Promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace drives innovation and creativity, leading to better decision-making and problem-solving. Companies can set diversity hiring goals and create targeted recruitment strategies to reach a wider pool of candidates, ensuring they have a more diverse and inclusive workforce. Employers can further promote DEI by creating an accessible and inclusive work environment for individuals with disabilities.

Companies can implement policies and practices that ensure their workspaces are accessible, provide reasonable accommodations, and offer targeted training programs to raise awareness and foster a culture of inclusion. Company leadership can also create employee resource groups focused on different dimensions of diversity, which can help foster an inclusive culture and provide networking opportunities for underrepresented employees. Such actions, in turn, result in better overall ESG performance by aligning the company's values with societal expectations, while also attracting a broader range of investors interested in socially responsible practices.

Companies can establish and maintain policies that promote fair wages, benefits, and safe working conditions. For example, they can conduct regular wage assessments to ensure their compensation is competitive within the industry and provide adequate safety training for employees to minimize workplace accidents. By implementing such practices, employers can create a supportive and motivated workforce, leading to increased productivity and improved ESG performance. Implementing fair labor practices also signals a commitment to human rights and ethical business practices, which are essential for strong ESG ratings.

Prioritizing employee well-being can lead to increased employee satisfaction, reduced turnover rates, and higher productivity. To support their employees physical and mental health, companies can establish comprehensive employee wellness programs that address and encourage various aspects of well-being. Such programs may include fitness classes, stress reduction workshops, parental and family support programs, and mental health resources.

By investing in employee well-being, companies demonstrate their commitment to the welfare of their employees and the social aspects of sustainability. These efforts not only contribute to improved ESG performance but also create a supportive work environment that attracts and retains top talent, ultimately benefiting the organization's long-term success.

Investing in local communities fosters goodwill and builds positive relationships with stakeholders, which can enhance a company's reputation and contribute to a company's overall ESG performance by demonstrating a commitment to social responsibility and community engagement. Companies can collaborate with local nonprofits and organizations to identify opportunities for employee involvement, ensuring that their efforts align with both the company's values and the needs of the community. This can also facilitate stronger relationships with stakeholders, as investors increasingly prioritize ESG criteria when making investment decisions.

A responsible and ethical supply chain demonstrates a commitment to sustainability and social responsibility, which can contribute to improved ESG performance. Companies can collaborate with their suppliers to develop and enforce codes of conduct that outline expectations for labor rights, environmental stewardship, and responsible sourcing practices. Companies can also provide training or resources to help suppliers improve their own ESG performance, thereby strengthening the entire supply.

By prioritizing supply chain responsibility, companies can mitigate risks associated with labor and environmental violations, leading to stronger long-term financial performance and increased investor confidence.

Preventing forced labor and human trafficking within a company's operations and supply chains helps improve overall ESG performance by demonstrating a commitment to human rights and ethical business practices. Companies can establish and enforce policies that require suppliers to provide evidence of compliance with local and international labor laws.

In addition, companies can look to establish strict supplier screening and audit processes to ensure they only work with ethically compliant partners, thereby mitigating risks associated with forced labor and human trafficking, including reputational and legal risks that can negatively impact financial performance and investor relations.

Engaging with stakeholders and soliciting feedback allows companies to better understand the social impact of their operations and address concerns proactively. Companies can adopt a multi-faceted approach to stakeholder engagement that includes various channels for communication and interaction. This may involve conducting surveys, hosting town hall meetings or webinars, forming advisory boards, and engaging with stakeholders through social media platforms.

By employing diverse methods of communication, companies can reach a broader range of stakeholders, including employees, customers, investors, suppliers, and community members. This can lead to improved ESG performance by fostering trust and transparency between the company and its stakeholders, while also ensuring that the company's actions align with societal values and expectations.

Investing in education and skill development programs contributes to a company's overall ESG performance by empowering employees and communities. By investing in their workforce, companies can maintain a competitive edge in the industry and foster a culture of innovation and personal development. Developing a skilled workforce can help drive sustainable growth, while also demonstrating the company's commitment to social responsibility and long-term value creation.

Adopting ethical marketing and advertising practices can improve a company's overall ESG performance by promoting transparency and building trust with customers. Companies can prohibit deceptive marketing tactics and create internal guidelines and training programs to ensure that marketing materials meet ethical standards and promote positive social values. In addition to mitigating the risk of greenwashing claims, such programs also signal a commitment to social responsibility and consumer protection, which can attract investors focused on sustainable business practices.

Protecting customer and employee data is essential for a company's social performance and overall ESG standing. Companies can conduct regular data security audits and invest in robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard sensitive information and maintain the trust of their stakeholders. Employers can also involve and invest their employees by providing training in data protection best practices.

By implementing strong data privacy and security policies, companies can reduce the risk of data breaches and demonstrate their commitment to ethical business practices, which can positively influence investor and customer perceptions.

Prioritizing the S in ESG is crucial for companies looking to improve their overall E and G performance. Implementing the kinds of practices outlined above can help foster a positive work environment, contribute to local communities, facilitate overall sustainability, and align companies operations with socially responsible practices. This not only benefits the company's reputation but also promotes long-term positive human impacts.

As ESG continues to gain prominence in the business world, a strong focus on the social aspect will become increasingly important for companies striving to maintain a competitive edge and meet the expectations of investors, employees, consumers and other stakeholders.

For more information, please contact the Barnes & Thornburg attorney with whom you work or Bruce White at 312-214-4584 or bwhite@btlaw.com or Erika Powers at 312-338-5904 or erika.powers@btlaw.com.

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The Rise of the 'S' in ESG: Social Practices Companies Can ... - Barnes & Thornburg

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Among all the talk this week about a crackdown on vapingthe most significant tobacco control reforms in a decadehas been the roll-out of another major document.

The National Tobacco Strategy 20232030 was launched this week.

A key priority of the strategy is Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander smoking and Closing the Gap. We heard the Tackling Indigenous Smoking program would be extended and widenedwith A$141 million fundingto reduce both vaping and smoking among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Here's why that's urgently needed and what needs to happen next to reduce smoking rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Tobacco legally kills over 57 Australians a day. That's equivalent to extinguishing an entire country town of 21,000 every year.

It's still the single biggest preventable risk factor for disease and premature death. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, more than a third of all deaths are caused by tobacco. Over the past decade we have lost more than 10,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lives due to smoking.

Multiple policy failures beyond healthfrom poverty, education, employment, housing, family removals, dislocation and the systematic embedding of tobacco as rations in lieu of wagesmean Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are disproportionately impacted by the harms of Big Tobacco.

So the funding to expand the Tackling Indigenous Smoking program is urgently needed to have no more than 27% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander smoking by 2030 (5% of all Australians). The Break the Chain campaign featured Aboriginal actor and comedian Elaine Crombie.

There have been huge achievements in reducing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander smoking. In 201819, 40% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults smoked daily, down from 50% in 200405. A target of 27% is achievable. But to get there we need something "extra" to accelerate those reductions.

Tobacco campaigns are one of the most cost-effective interventions when evidence-based, market-tested, sustained and with support services at the end of the call to action. When they are adequately funded, they can impact inequities.

Campaigns must be personally relevant and meaningful to be effective. This makes the case for targeted approaches, including local level campaigns, reinforced by general, national activity. Audiences engage with the message when they can see themselves and their community members (sometimes actually) in the advertising.

We saw this nationally with Break the Chain starring Aboriginal actor and comedian Elaine Crombie. Originally this was a targeted campaign for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. But it then aired nationally targeting all Australians in 2014.

Don't Make Smokes Your Story was launched in 2016, as part of the Tackling Indigenous Smoking program. This was created by Indigenous agency Carbon Media, starring musician Fred Leone alongside real stories from community members.

One of the most successful and innovative Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tobacco campaigns, it included a toolkit for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to use and adapt the national campaign to their local contexts.

An excellent example of this is from the Apunipima Tackling Indigenous Smoking team with its local campaign Don't Make Smokes Your Story Cape York.

When Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people lead and promote smoke-free behaviors, communities are more interested in quitting. Dont Make Smokes Your Story campaign.

Social marketing campaigns, like the ones we've mentioned, really work well when they take on the Four Ps of product, price, place and promotion.

The beautifully produced ads, the "promotion," can't have impact on their own. This is where the rest of the National Tobacco Strategy comes in.

We've reduced product appeal with plain packaging and graphic health warnings. This will be enhanced with new warnings, including on the sticks themselves, plus greater uniformity of standardized packaging and tightened rules around additives and flavors that make smoking palatable.

Price increases reduce smoking and we'll see a tax increase of 5% each year for three years across all different tobacco product types.

We have known about the harms of commercial tobacco since at least 1950. Yet we still expect individuals to give up nicotine instead of removing this lethal product from sale at pretty much every supermarket, service station and convenience store.

The National Tobacco Strategy is considering a national licensing scheme, removing online sales and delivery services, and potential for reducing the number, type and location of tobacco outlets.

There will also be more action on smoke-free areas and making sure all health professionals (particularly in remote places) are equipped to support quit attempts.

The strategy states it will explore raising the age you can buy cigarettes and monitor how this works overseas.

The commitment to close any last promotional loopholes for tobacco and e-cigarettes, particularly online is also important, along with local and national anti-smoking campaigns. But we know these are not enough on their own. Campaigns can be localized, like this one from Cape York.

Addressing all four Ps is what comprehensive tobacco social marketing would look like. It's what's required to accelerate the declines to get to the 27% target for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and 5% nationally.

Targeted approaches are critical and can be effective, but they need to be supported by bigger, whole of population structural changes. The community-led campaigns, supported by national activity, will reinforce and amplify the policy changes that will come through on the tobacco product, its cost and its availability.

That's how we realize our goals and ultimately eliminate tobacco related disease and death.

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New funds will tackle Indigenous smoking. But here's what else we know works for quit campaigns - Medical Xpress

The 72nd Annual Honors and Awards Ceremony celebrates high-achieving undergraduate business students.

The Quinlan School of Business honors our top undergraduate students through our annual Honors and Awards Ceremony.

The Quinlan Honors program is a transformational experience designed to provide highly qualified students who care about making the world a better place an opportunity to deepen their mastery of business and learn from each other in a stimulating environment.

Catherine Plank, Ariel Nudman, Steven Zelkowitz, Lucia Macoretta, Shane Riley, William Kelley, Grace Finegan, Jack Armanini, Andrew Barclay, Neil Beran, Christopher Burns, Marshall Sommer, Benton Scott, Shamoun Daudi, Bryce Caldwell, Megan Fowler, Drew Evans, Nicole Papanton, Joseph Raad, Caleb Frank, Mary Grace Poeckes, Timothy Dennis, Colten Cary, Kevin Alexander, Kevin Sachtleben, Andrew Tavares, Christin Layton, Harley Macrae Thursby, Isabel L Miller, Tate Frederick Maurer

This key is given to the Honors program graduate who has the highest capacity and commitment to contribute to society through ethical and socially responsible conduct, and who has demonstrated sound decision-making and problem-solving skills.

Megan Fowler

This award is named after the late Dr. Geraldine Gerri Henderson. Professor Henderson was a dedicated educator in the Department of Marketing at the Quinlan School of Business and trailblazing researcher driven by a deep commitment to social justice. This is one the highest honors given by the Department of Marketing and is awarded to a graduating undergraduate marketing student who has demonstrated a commitment to social justice and change.

Caitlin Osei

The Alpha Kappa Psi Key is awarded each spring to the graduating fraternal member who has demonstrated outstanding academic excellence in all undergraduate courses.

Alexandra Rudock

The key is awarded each spring to the graduating Quinlan students with the highest cumulative grade point average, regardless of fraternal affiliation.

Yufeng Chen, Grace Nagy, Catherine Plank, Jacob Woodruff, Aliyan Vimawal

Each academic major in the Quinlan School of Business awards a silver honor key annually to the graduating senior who has demonstrated outstanding academic ability in that major field of concentration.

Grace Nagy

Catherine Plank

Bailey Rodriguez

Shane Riley

Maja Jukic

Ella Joaquin

Henry Pasetto

Selina Kolaj

Abigail Wilm

Neil Beran

Timothy Radtke

Daniela Quintero

Given to the Quinlan senior who, in the estimation of the dean, has made the most outstanding contributions in both leadership and scholarship to the reputation of the school.

Grace Finegan

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Quinlan Honors and Awards, 2023 - Loyola University Chicago

Monaco Cocktails Named "Official Hard Lemonade of UFC"and "Official Canned Vodka Cocktail of UFC"

LAS VEGAS, May 4, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --UFC, the world's premier mixed martial arts organization, and Monaco Cocktails, a leader in the canned cocktail space, today announced a multi-year national marketing partnership focused on Monaco's ready-to-drink (RTD) Hard Lemonade beverages.

Monaco'sHard Lemonade line will become the Official Hard Lemonade of UFC and the Official Canned Vodka Cocktail of UFC, providing the brand with a deep level of integration into key UFC assets, including live events and broadcast features in select U.S.-based Pay-Per-Views, and prominent branding inside the world-famous Octagon.

Monaco branding will also have a presence within the Octagon during the upcoming 31st season of The Ultimate Fighter, the most anticipated in the show's history, as it makes its debut on ESPN and features former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion Conor McGregor and No. 5 ranked lightweight contender Michael Chandler as coaches.

Monaco and UFC will also collaborate on original content that will be distributed through UFC's popular digital and social channels, which reach more than 230 million users worldwide. Additionally, the agreement provides for an annual Brand Ambassador fund that will bring the partnership to life through appearances, content, and creative campaigns with UFC athletes.

"We're proud to welcome Monaco Cocktails as an official UFC partner," said Grant Norris-Jones, UFC Senior Vice President, Global Partnerships. "Customer demand for ready-to-drink beverages continues grow, and UFC, with a median fan age of 36, the youngest among major sports in the U.S., UFC is in the best position to help our alcohol and spirits partners reach those consumers."

"We're thrilled to invite the incredible fans behind UFC into the world of Monaco Cocktails and amp up the audience's energy through our best-selling canned cocktails," said Don Deubler, CEO of Atomic Brands, parent company to Monaco Cocktails. "As an official partner of UFC, we're honored to be a part of an organization that has revolutionized the fan experience. UFC and Monaco Cocktails are aligned in shaking things up for our audience - we're excited about our joint commitment to better the consumer experience through our partnership."

Monaco Cocktails, which was established in 2012, are real cocktails completely malt-free, featuring real spirits to offer a crisper finish with a kick. Monaco created a Hard Lemonade line, their remix of a timeless classic to serve up bold, delicious flavors that embody the taste of summer: crisp lemonade, juicy peach and fresh strawberry. With two shots of vodka in every can at 9% ABV, Monaco Hard Lemonade quickly became an instant crowd-pleaser, known as the ultimate canned cocktail for bold consumers looking for high energy moments.

Monaco Cocktails partnership with UFC will debut May 1, ahead of highly anticipated events such as UFC 288: STERLING VS. CEJUDO on May 6and the 11th Annual UFC International Fight Week in Las Vegas in July, where Monaco will have significant presence. These events will mark the beginning various combined activations throughout the year.

About UFCUFC is the world's premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and 233 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world, while broadcasting to over 900 million TV households across more than 170 countries. UFC's active fighter roster features the world's best MMA athletes representing more than 75 countries. The organization's digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS, one of the world's leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is owned by global sports and entertainment company Endeavor and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok: @UFC.

About Atomic BrandsPrivately-owned Miami-based spirits company, Atomic Brands, was founded in 2006 with a focus on creating in-demand products with exceptional, uncompromised quality. With a portfolio of products including the award-winning artisan canned cocktail, Monaco Cocktails, and the premium coffee-flavored whiskey, Kentucky Coffee, Atomic Brands is committed to continually developing high-quality innovations across several drinking and lifestyle occasions.

Monaco Hard Lemonades are currently available at convenience stores nationwide for $2.50-2.99/12oz can. To find a retailer near you, please visit the store locator. For more information on Monaco Cocktails, please visit: drinkmonaco.com, and follow along on Instagramand Facebook(@drinkmonaco).

SOURCE Monaco Cocktails

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UFC AND MONACO COCKTAILS ANNOUNCE U.S. ... - PR Newswire

PDD Holdings Inc, which owns discount e-commerce platforms Pinduoduo and Temu, has moved its headquarters from China to Ireland, according to recent filings from the company.

The latest filings list Dublin as the companys principal executive offices. Filings as recently as February show Shanghai as the listed address.

The Chinese company, which recently named Jiazhen Zhao, one of the founding members of PDD, as CEO did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

PDD reported revenue of 39.82 billion yuan ($5.76 billion) in the fourth quarter, falling short of estimates for 41.01 billion yuan, based on Refinitiv data, as Chinas post-reopening consumer recovery remains patchy.

By Juby Babu; Editor: Gerry Doyle

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Temus Ambitions Are Bigger Than Beating Shein

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Pinduoduo Owner PDD Moves Headquarters to Ireland From China - The Business of Fashion