Virtually Experience the Porter Novelli Purpose Summit

The COVID‐19 crisis is accelerating the transformation of business – one that solidifies the private sector mandate of a stakeholder‐first, rather than shareholder‐only, mentality. We’ve kept a pulse on this shift, brand action and stakeholder expectations, revealing that 75% of the U.S. public believes business must take action to protect employees, care for communities and support front-line workers in the fight against COVID‐19. Companies who have rapidly and authentically met this expectation demonstrate Purpose – at its finest. This moment marks an inexorable shift – one in which brands must decide to either continue or create their own impact, or risk irrelevancy.

Today, we’re launching our virtual edition of the Porter Novelli Purpose Summit: Committing to Action Amid COVID‐19, which takes an in-depth look at how business has been, and needs to continue to be, a force for good. Featuring sessions with Porter Novelli leaders, clients and partners, we explore the shifting role of business today, as well as what will be needed for the next phase of the pandemic – the inevitable ease out of global lockdown.With the links below, you’ll be able to review our detailed schedule and click into the most relevant sessions, or partake in the fully virtual, recorded Summit.

We hope you find the content as thought-provoking and enlightening as we did.

Porter Novelli Purpose Summit
Full list of sessions on Vimeo

1. The Tipping Point for ‘Good’ Business
Welcome & keynote address

Opening our event, we explore what comes next for global business and its leadership; how COVID-19 has already played a pivotal role in solidifying a stakeholder first, rather than shareholder only, approach; and the true tipping point for committing to results that are judged by both profit and Purpose.
 

2. What’s Next for Purpose
COVID-19’s lasting impact on organizations

Join this session to uncover the changing landscape for Purpose and understand how organizations are suddenly communicating and providing community support in entirely new ways. Featured brand:
 

3. How Stakeholders Expect Companies to Step Up
Latest insights from Porter Novelli’s COVID-19 Tracker

How can brands step up to help employees, communities, healthcare workers on the front lines and individuals directly impacted by COVID-19? Porter Novelli has tracked the space – documenting hundreds of company efforts to determine how companies should act, where efforts are breaking through and ultimately, what is making the most impact.

4. How Companies Are Meeting Stakeholder Needs
Panel discussion on brand action

Actions speak louder than words. It’s an age old saying that reminds us of the important role brand behavior plays in driving affinity and sales. So, how are brands making it happen? What are the keys to getting companies to act, and once they do, what are the best practices for communicating them? This panel will explore just that with leading brands. Featured brands:​

5. Addressing the Next Wave of Our Public Health Crisis
Cross-sector solutions for mental health & wellness

Recent data shows the impact of this pandemic has left 45% of us feeling a negative impact on our mental health and well-being. Similarly, 25% of us are reporting getting less sleep, which only exacerbates the physical and mental toll on our bodies. Listen in to learn more about how we must address and communicate amid the next wave of our public health crisis. Featured brands:

6. Crisis Preparedness for the New Abnormal
Building organizational resilience today

Our changed environment is creating new opportunities for corporate brands to build trust, goodwill and reputation equity—but it is also presenting a multitude of new risks. During this session, we’ll share our set of specific strategies that are successfully guiding companies through this landscape.

7. The Psychology of COVID-19, Culture & Climate
And what it means for business

As we look ahead to the next existential crisis facing us – climate change – there are three aspects: psychology, culture and a new iteration of business. During this session, we’ll dive deeper into this interconnection to identify how to meet the challenge of the climate crisis.

8. Embracing Authenticity in a Pandemic
Flexing your radical empathy & EQ from home 

Especially today, we have no choice but to be our authentic selves – and in doing so we can all show and appreciate our shared humanity. This session will walk through the three keys to doing just that: radical empathy, emotional intelligence and authenticity.

9. Employee-first Leadership
Practical tips for engaging your workforce
 

Good leadership is important at all times. In this session, we’ll discuss the essential characteristics for leading in times of uncertainty – listening, communicating, taking action, being resilient and role modelling – and why they are especially important in this moment.  Featured brands:​

10. COVID-19: Your Bias is Showing
Why diversity, equity & inclusion are as critical as ever

Every pandemic has its scapegoat. Jewish communities were targeted during the bubonic plague in the 1300s, Irish immigrants were blamed for typhoid in the 1800s, Haitian Americans were thought to be responsible for HIV in the 1980s, Mexican Americans for swine flu in 2009 and West Africans for Ebola in 2014. Join us for a robust discussion on how bias is revealing itself amid COVID-19 and how diversity, equity and inclusion are more critical than ever, today. Featured brands:

11. Accelerating Purpose in LATAM
Regional impact on global markets

In this session, leading communications veterans from Latin America’s highest-demand countries will discuss how brands and NGOs are preparing for life post-pandemic in a way that benefits society and their own organizational health.

12. Our Changing Relationship to Food
The far-reaching impact of COVID-19

Here, we  explore insights into consumer behavior, including shopping, at-home eating and why we’re seeing the headlines that we are. We will share Purpose and communications counsel regarding what brands and the industry can do to have a positive impact during this challenging time. Featured brands:​

13. Our Climate Crisis Isn’t Postponed
It is still here and now

In lieu of the world’s top climate conventions being postponed or cancelled due to COVID-19, we must remember that there’s still a climate emergency. Despite lower pollution rates being reported – it is still here and now. Join us, alongside leaders in climate philanthropy and activism, for a conversation on how we, as a community, must ensure we remain on track. Featured brands:​

14. Committing to Progress Post-crisis
Reflection & closing remarks

Join us as we reflect on all of the previous sessions, which have been dedicated to the acceleration of business transformation today – especially in light of current events. We will share noteworthy takeaways and what they mean for the challenges ahead.