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B REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies BlackRock Inc FollowAug 23 (Reuters) - Top asset manager BlackRock on Wednesday reported a further decline in its support for shareholder resolutions on environmental and social themes, citing corporate progress on the areas and poor crafting of the measures by filers. In an annual stewardship report being released with the end of the 12-month corporate annual meeting cycle on June 30, New York-based BlackRock said it supported 7% of 399 shareholder proposals on environmental and social issues. In the newest report BlackRock said many of the measures called for changes that would not be helpful to companies in its funds. Data has previously shown investor support slipping for many resolutions, and as companies strike compromises with activists. BlackRock has been under fire from conservative U.S. politicians who say it has over-emphasized sustainability issues, citing past proxy votes.

Persons: Shannon Stapleton, BlackRock, Ross Kerber, Isla Binie, Simon Jessop, Sonali Paul Organizations: REUTERS, BlackRock, filers, Thomson Locations: BlackRock, New York, U.S, Boston, London

☆ Stagwell's Mark Penn explains why he's betting on AI, and what brands get wrong about supporting social issues
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Lauren Johnson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

He said brands often botch supporting social issues because they lack a balanced worldview. Insider spoke with Penn about why he's betting on artificial intelligence, buying experiential marketing shops, and how brands should handle thorny social issues. Big brands like Bud Light and Target have been in the news after backlash for supporting social issues. How should brands handle supporting social issues? I don't think people are spending enough time or thinking about that as the fundamental change.

Persons: Mark Penn's Stagwell, —, Mark Penn's, Hillary Clinton, He's, Stagwell, Penn, Bud, We've, Johnny, latelys, — we'll Organizations: WPP, Publicis, Service, Democrat, Republican

☆ Ecuador presidential hopeful Zurita promises better policing, social programs
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Alexandra Valencia | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/2] Ecuadorean presidential candidate Christian Zurita, who has replaced assassinated presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, speaks during an interview with Reuters prior to Sunday's presidential election, in Quito, Ecuador August 15, 2023. REUTERS/Henry Romero Acquire Licensing RightsQUITO, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Ecuador presidential hopeful Christian Zurita, who is running in place of his friend, slain candidate Fernando Villavicencio, said on Tuesday he would better equip the police and enshrine intelligence protocols to fight crime, and use international loans to shore up social programs. Like his predecessor, Zurita is an investigative journalist known for tracking alleged corruption. The two men worked on 300 investigations together over the last decade, Zurita, 53, told Reuters in an interview on Tuesday. Villavicencio's death must be thoroughly investigated, Zurita added, and given how much corruption Villavicencio exposed, the suspect list is long.

Persons: Christian Zurita, Fernando Villavicencio, Henry Romero, Villavicencio, Fernando, Zurita, There's, SLB, Rafael Correa, Luisa Gonzalez, Correa, Alexandra Valencia, Gary McWilliams, Julia Symmes Cobb, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Reuters, REUTERS, Rights, Schlumberger, Thomson Locations: Quito, Ecuador, Rights QUITO, Houston

☆ Sage Steele departs ESPN following lawsuit settlement
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Lillian Rizzo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Sage Steele and ESPN have parted ways. "ESPN and Sage Steele have mutually agreed to part ways," an ESPN spokesman said Tuesday. During the Sept. 2021 podcast, Sage said she had been vaccinated against Covid but referred to the company's vaccine mandate as "sick." Steele is the daughter of Gary Steele, the first Black football player at West Point, and Mona Steele, a white woman. During the same podcast, Steele also suggested that women who wear provocative clothes in the workplace bear responsibility for sexism they may experience.

Persons: Sage Steele, Steele, Jay Cutler, Sage, Barack Obama's, Barack Obama, Black, —, Barbara Walters, belittling, Gary Steele, Mona Steele Organizations: ESPN, NBA, Toronto Raptors, Golden State Warriors, Oracle Arena, Disney, NFL, Black Locations: Oakland , California, West

The closely watched court fight reflects how social media has become an informational battleground for major social issues. It has revealed the messy challenges for social media companies as they try to manage the massive amounts of information on their platforms. “For example, if there were a natural disaster, and there were untrue statements circulating on social media that were damaging to the public interest, the government would be powerless under the injunction to discourage social media companies from further disseminating those incorrect statements,” said Daniel Tenny, a Justice Department lawyer. Were social media platforms pressured? Earlier this week, he and other Republican lawmakers filed their own brief to the appeals court, accusing the Biden administration of a campaign to stifle speech.

Persons: Biden, ”, Daniel Tenny, “, John Sauer, ’, Terry Doughty, Christopher Wray, Trump, Jim Jordan, ” Jordan Organizations: DC CNN, of Homeland Security, Health, Human Services, Appeals, Fifth Circuit, Justice Department, “, Senate Intelligence, Ohio Republican, Biden Administration, Big Tech Locations: Washington, New Orleans, United States, Missouri, Louisiana

☆ Elon Musk says X will pay the legal fees of users who are 'unfairly treated' by their boss for liking or posting content on the platform
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-06 | by ( Ryan Hogg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Elon Musk said he would cover the legal fees of anyone who lost their job due to their X content. Musk has been vocal about fighting a "woke mind virus" and committing to free speech on the platform. Last month, he shared anti-transgender content on Twitter, now X, after right-wingers criticized him. Lynne replied to Musk saying that the situation was more complicated than the headline suggested, but still confirmed it was correct. In May, California tech worker Michelle Serna was fired after posting a video on TikTok while a meeting went on in the background.

Persons: Elon Musk, Kara Lynne, Musk, Kara, Lynne, Michelle Serna Organizations: Twitter, Morning Locations: California

☆ I'm a Barbie girl who almost got tricked by a plastic-free hoax
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Catherine Boudreau | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

A fake campaign by environmental activists said Barbie-maker Mattel would go plastic-free by 2030. Outlets like People, The Washington Times , and Dow Jones Newswires reported that Mattel, the maker of Barbie and other toys like American Girl dolls and Hot Wheels, would go plastic-free by 2030. "With our plastic-free commitment, we denounce the empty promises of plastic recycling and take a bold step towards real ecological sustainability. By the end of the day, Yahoo News had the exclusive on the team behind the stunt : The Barbie Liberation Organization. The stunt did make me envision what seaweed Barbie would look like — but it's unclear if that's possible.

Persons: Barbie, I've, that'd, Dow Jones Newswires, Greta Thunberg, Daryl Hannah, Instagram, Hannah, Hannah didn't, Ynon Kreiz, Mattel, Igor Vamos, Mike Bonnaro, Vamos, Adam McKay Organizations: Mattel, Service, The Washington Times, Yahoo News, Liberation Organization, Barbie Liberation Organization, Dot Studios Locations: Russian

☆ Let go of past pain: A mind-body approach to healing ancestral trauma
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-30 | by ( Jessica Dulong | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

Hübl: First off, trauma often gets conflated with adversity itself, but it’s actually how our nervous system responds to a distressing experience. Our nervous system is trying to keep us safe. When we go through an overwhelming experience that the nervous system cannot process, we lose our relationship to life in that moment. These reactions can get frozen into our nervous system so that triggering circumstances stir up trauma responses. This helps me train my nervous system to strengthen pathways for self-awareness, creating an inner mindfulness.

Persons: Thomas Hübl, Thomas, Hübl, ”, it’s, It’s, I’m, “ Othering, we’re, There’s, Jessica DuLong Organizations: CNN Locations: Brooklyn , New York

☆ What are the Women’s World Cup armbands and why were they created?
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( Matt Foster | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

What are the eight Women’s World Cup armbands? The eight different armbands each carry a “specific message” according to FIFA, falling under the governing body’s “Football Unites the World” campaign and in partnership with various United Nations’ agencies and the World Health Organization (WHO). During last year’s men’s World Cup in Qatar, a number of European captains withdrew from wearing an armband adorned with a heart striped in different colors as part of the “OneLove” campaign. England captain Millie Bright said she planned to wear three different armbands for each of her team’s group stage matches. “Nothing stopping Ali Riley from showing PRIDE at the World Cup this summer,” the website Women’s Sport Exchange tweeted.

Persons: Ali Riley, Steph Catley –, Sam Kerr, –, Qatar Bruno Fahy, Gianni Infantino, Millie Bright, ” Bright, ” Sarah Gregorius, “ You’ve, ’ ” Gregorius, Zealander Riley’s, Riley, Amanda Davies, ”, “, ” Ali Riley, Saeed Khan, Jennifer Garner, Angel City’s Organizations: CNN, New Zealand, Football Ferns, Inclusion, Australia, Indigenous Peoples, Ireland, FIFA, body’s “ Football, United Nations, World Health Organization, WHO, UN Human, Equality, UN, Peace –, UNHCR, UN Refugee Agency, Education, –, Cultural Organization, UNESCO, UN Women, Qatar, Getty, Football, “ Football, Reuters, “, FIFPRO, Zealander, Norway, Angel City FC, PRIDE, Exchange Locations: Norway, Sydney, Qatar, England, Netherlands, Germany, Eden, Auckland, AFP

WASHINGTON, July 19 (Reuters) - Leaders of the U.S. Senate said on Wednesday they expected a sweeping defense policy bill to pass the chamber with strong bipartisan support, which could mean a clash with a largely party-line bill approved by the House of Representatives. The House passed its NDAA on Friday by a narrow 219-210, after Republicans added culturally conservative amendments addressing hot-button social issues. The vote was almost entirely along party lines, a departure from typical bipartisan support for a bill that has passed every year since 1961. That would not win the approval of the Democratic-controlled Senate, where a majority of lawmakers, including some Republicans, support abortion rights. The contrast is glaring, and we hope, hope, hope, hope that the House takes a lesson from the Senate and works in a productive way so we can pass these important bills."

Persons: Chuck Schumer, Mitch McConnell, Schumer, Joe Biden, Patricia Zengerle, Katharine Jackson, Matthew Lewis Organizations: U.S . Senate, Representatives, Democratic, Republicans, Republican, Democrats, Senate, NATO, White House, Thomson Locations: Washington

☆ US gives ‘green light’ to European countries to train Ukrainians on F-16 fighter jets, Biden official says
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( Jasmine Wright | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Washington CNN —The US will allow European countries to train Ukrainians on F-16 fighter jets, a top Biden administration official confirmed Sunday, a potential boon for Ukraine’s efforts to counter Russia’s air superiority. One of the main issues Kyiv’s ground forces have faced as their counteroffensive gets underway is Russian air power holding them back. “The United States will not be the hold-up in ensuring that this F-16 training can get underway,” he said. Turning to US national defense, Sullivan lamented the House-passed defense policy bill that includes the adoption of several controversial amendments that touched on hot-button social issues. “So it was a small group of Republicans who essentially created a trap.

Persons: Biden, Jake Sullivan, CNN’s Jake Tapper, ”, Joe Biden, Sullivan, ” Sullivan, – Organizations: Washington CNN, Union, NATO, Democratic, GOP, Defense, Republicans Locations: “ State, Ukraine, Russia, Moscow, United States, Ukrainian

☆ NDAA: McCarthy faces challenge for passing defense bill after
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( Haley Talbot | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —House Speaker Kevin McCarthy faces a challenge Friday morning: A razor thin margin to get a must-pass defense policy bill over the finish line with a majority of Democrats signaling they cannot support the version of the legislation crafted by conservative Republicans. The bill – known as the National Defense Authorization Act – sets the policy agenda and authorizes funding for the Department of Defense. If they lose that many members, it would greatly increase the prospects that Republicans could muscle the bill through. Without Democratic support, Republicans will need to wrangle nearly every member of the GOP conference in order to get the bill over the finish line. Many Democrats made clear ahead of the vote that if the amendment was included as part of the defense bill, they would be unlikely to support final passage.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, Ralph Norman, GOP Sen, Tommy Tuberville, Lauren Boebert’s, Marjorie Taylor Greene Organizations: CNN —, Republicans, National Defense, Department of Defense, Democratic, GOP, Rep, Republican Locations: lockstep, South Carolina, Colorado, Ukraine, Georgia

☆ I'm the Gen Z founder of a period-care company using my business to push back on the 'tampon tax'
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-26 | by ( Alexandra York | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

August started a campaign to reimburse customers for some taxes on period products. She's also fighting the so-called tampon tax, which refers to the sales tax added to tampons, pads, and menstrual-care products when they're classified as luxury, nonessential items. That's why we've always covered the tampon tax when customers bought their products directly from August. But when we launched in Target in March, we suddenly had no ability to get rid of the tampon tax at the point of purchase, because the sale wasn't going through us. We hustled behind the scenes to find a way we could take a material stance against the tampon tax.

Persons: Nadya Okamoto, Okamoto, She's, Scott Bleicher, I've, it's Organizations: Service Locations: Texas, Geneva, Target

☆ The role of the CMO is changing. Here's what 6 experts had to say about marketing amid increased social awareness and new tech.
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( Michael Kaminer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

This article is part of CMO Insider, a platform that explores how the role of chief marketing officer is evolving. High tech rules, but traditional media still matters, CMOs sayEven with the dominance of social platforms and the emergence of AI, traditional media still plays a key role for brands. "We rely on traditional media for content whose audiences are still engaging that way, whether it's out-of-home or broadcast. In hospitality, "traditional media still plays a huge role," said Accor's Schellenberger. 1 KPI is building awareness, traditional media is still the best way to do it, along with other digital media tools."

Persons: Ewan McIntyre, it's, Alex Schellenberger, Marian Lee Dicus, Kimberly Whitler, Jessica Jensen, Jensen, Colin Kaepernick, hasn't, Marian Lee, I'm, Whitler, Jonathan Adashek, IBM's, Adashek, ChatGPT, Somebody's, Schellenberger, Netflix's, Indeed's Jensen, Accor's, there's, Dicus, Charlotte, Gartner's McIntyre Organizations: Marketing, Accor, University of Virginia's Darden School of Business, Nike, Netflix, IBM, Research Locations: Paris, jobseekers, Germany

☆ Gen Z is upending the purchase funnel, according to a new Edelman Trust Barometer report
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-18 | by ( Julia Hood | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Gen Z consumers behave differently towards brands than other demographics, according to a new Edelman Trust Barometer study. The purchase is often the starting point for the brand relationship, not the final step, running counter to the traditional "purchase funnel" model. What appeals to Gen Z might alienate more traditional consumers, so it's important for brand and reputation leaders to partner. Gen Z might just be kill the the old-school purchase funnel for good according to a new study from the Edelman Trust Barometer,That's because Gen Z's true relationship with brands often begins at purchase, and is "too dynamic for a linear funnel," the report states. "In fact, 78% [of Gen Z survey respondents] are uncovering and discovering things about a brand after they make a product purchase."

Persons: Gen, Jackie Cooper, Viktor Chebanenko, Cooper, You've, Edelman, Bud, Richard Edelman, — Organizations: Edelman, Morning, Gen, Edelman's Locations: Germany, Brazil, Japan

CNN —Pat Robertson, the prominent televangelist who founded the Christian Broadcasting Network, made the Christian right a powerful political force and unsuccessfully ran for president in 1988, died on Thursday, the network said in a news release. “Pat Robertson, longtime TV host, religious broadcaster, educator, humanitarian, and one-time presidential candidate died at his home in Virginia Beach early Thursday morning. Pat Robertson (right) hosted the show "The 700 Club" on his Christian Broadcasting Network from 1966 to 2021. Linda C. Culpepper/APRobertson helped transform the conservative evangelical movement into a political force on the American right that helped elect Ronald Reagan. His wife of 70 years, Dede Robertson, died last year at the age of 94.

Persons: Pat Robertson, “ Pat Robertson, Robertson, “, Academic Affairs William L, Hathaway, “ Dr, Jesus Christ, ”, ” –, Linda C, Culpepper, Ronald Reagan, George H.W, Bush, Bob Dole, Jerry Falwell, ’ ” Falwell, ” Robertson, Donald Trump, Trump, Gordon, Dede Robertson Organizations: CNN, Christian Broadcasting Network, Regent University, ” Regent University Executive, Academic Affairs, Southern Baptist, Republican, Christian Coalition of America, ”, ACLU, People, Trump Locations: Virginia Beach, Virginia, America, Haiti

☆ Takeaways From Nikki Haley’s Mild CNN Town Hall
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Trip Gabriel | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Compared with CNN’s explosive, much-criticized town-hall-style event with Mr. Trump last month, this one was a throwback to earlier, less combative times. Jake Tapper, the anchor who moderated, never found the need to correct Ms. Haley. The two big red elephants in the room, Mr. Trump and Gov. Both Mr. Trump and Mr. DeSantis, who once supported similar changes, now say they won’t touch the programs. But she displayed less of the punitive rhetoric on the issues that Mr. Trump and Mr. DeSantis have made crucial to their messages.

Persons: Trump, Jake Tapper, Haley, Ron DeSantis, DeSantis, Ms, “ Pick, ”, “, ” Haley, Biden Organizations: Gov, Republican, Social Security, Medicare, Disney, United Nations Locations: Trump, Florida, Paris

☆ The Many Cameos of Stan Lee
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-03 | by ( George Gene Gustines | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Distinguished CompetitionMr. Lee and Marvel are irrevocably linked, but he was no stranger to working with superhero industry rivals DC Comics. From 2001 to 2002, DC released a “Just Imagine” series of stories written by Mr. Lee in which he reinterpreted Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and other heroes. A cartoon version of Mr. Lee also appeared in DC’s 2018 animated film “Teen Titans Go! In one story, Mr. Lee playfully admonishes the team for recent developments, including “Alcoholic Iron Men!” and the mohawk haircut for the X-Men’s Storm. But the original, unused photo was bolder: It was a nude picture of him with a strategically placed comic book.

Persons: Lee, ”, “ Stan Lee ”, “, Brad Meltzer, Lee’s, Eliot R, Brown, “ I’m Organizations: Marvel, DC Comics, DC, Marvel Comics, Entertainment, Hero Initiative

☆ Politics of 'Woke Capitalism': How companies navigate social issues
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailPolitics of 'Woke Capitalism': How companies navigate social issuesTony Ponturo, Ponturo Management CEO, and Americus Reed, Wharton School of Business professor, join 'Power Lunch' to discuss corporate social activism and how companies navigate social issues.

Persons: Tony Ponturo Organizations: Ponturo, Americus Reed, Wharton School of Business

☆ In ‘Horse Barbie,’ Geena Rocero Recounts a Modeling Life Like No Other
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-30 | by ( Shane O Neill | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

In the back seat of a car en route to the West Village, she reflected on her shift from model to advocate. “And then I felt like I entered a new trap, which is respectability politics.”Ms. Rocero said she never felt fully comfortable in the role of trans role model. At first she was excited to assume what she called an Angelina Jolie persona — a beautiful, world-trotting champion of social issues. “Ines was the first one,” Ms. Rocero said, referring to the French model Ines Rau. In the West Village, Ms. Rocero once again jaywalked while approaching Rosecrans, a combination florist and coffee shop.

☆ Nike CEO praises Disney's Bob Iger, saying he's 'doing a great job' in his feud with Florida's Ron DeSantis
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-23 | by ( Matthew Kish | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Nike CEO John Donahoe said Tuesday that Disney CEO Bob Iger is "doing a great job." "I think Bob's doing a great job at this," Donahoe said of Iger. Donahoe's remarks are the latest chapter in a yearlong feud that started in early 2022 when then-Disney CEO Bob Chapek objected to the DeSantis administration's "Don't Say Gay" bill. Iger, who returned as Disney CEO in November, has continued to battle with DeSantis. Disney and Nike have long supported each other and shared connective tissue.

☆ Opinion: A button, a love story, and an Iranian couple who will not be silenced
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( Opinion Jeff Kaufman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

We were also moved by the continued defiance represented by the “I Oppose the Mandatory Hijab” button that Nasrin wore on her jacket. Iranian couple Nasrin Sotoudeh and Reza Khandan, with their friend and fellow activist Farhad Meysami (center) after being released from prison earlier this year following a lengthy hunger strike. Nasrin: When Reza and I first met, we were working at a magazine that presented a dialogue on social issues. Kaufman: Nasrin, you have one of the last “I Oppose the Mandatory Hijab” buttons in Iran (the government destroyed the rest). Reza KhandanFor example, when I was arrested, Reza and Farhad made the ‘I Oppose the Mandatory Hijab’ buttons in the hope that people would wear them.

☆ GOP Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina files paperwork to run for president
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Likely Republican presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina filed paperwork Friday to run for president in 2024, officially throwing his hat into a growing Republican primary lineup that former President Donald Trump has so far led. Scott is expected to announce his presidential campaign on Monday morning in North Charleston. Scott's brand of politics, marked by optimism and gestures toward stitching a divided nation back together, has been mostly absent from the Republican presidential conversation. "There's no question that special interests are celebrating as Tim Scott throws his hat into the 2024 race for the MAGA base."

☆ Remaining silent on social issues 'no longer an option' for businesses: Dartmouth's Paul Argenti
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailRemaining silent on social issues 'no longer an option' for businesses: Dartmouth's Paul ArgentiPaul Argenti, Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business Professor of Corporate Communication, joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss the decisions corporations face when debating whether to take a stand on social issues.

☆ Who are zillennials?
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Terry Ward | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Along the blurry edge at the cusp of the two generations, between Gen Y and Z, is where zillennials live. Zillennials straddle the generations of millennials, who are considered digital pioneers, and Gen Z, who are considered digital natives who never knew life before screens. While zillennials often feel they don’t fit in with either Gen Z or millennials, Dorsey said the middle zone they occupy has its own advantages. His firm’s research has shown Gen Z to be more connected to social causes than millennials, with zillennials similarly more interested than millennials when it comes to social issues. From a young age, zillennials have learned the effects of climate change, said Carr.

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