Kelly Molinari

Hot off the presses - Dow just released its 2023 INtersections Progress Report - outlining our progress toward our climate and energy transition goals. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/etPjEKmw #innovation #sustainability #SeekTogether

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Our annual Trust report on Business and Racial Justice is live! The headline? Republicans, Democrats, and Independents all benefit from intentional DEI programming. Trust is local, and people look to their employers to do what's right. Leaders, defend your investment by using the facts. Republicans, Democrats, and Independents agree that organizations leverage DEI initiatives to improve business outcomes, not to be exclusionary or push a political agenda (Republicans 52%, up 9 points; Democrats 75%, up 5 points; Independents 61%, up 1 point since last year).

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SEATTLE / DC

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It’s timely for Oversight Board to be investigating deepfake pornography cases on the day the government announced the creation of sexually explicit "deepfake" images is to be made a criminal offence in England and Wales under a new law. Do have your say on the case. Your submission could shape how these devastating images are handled so pls check this link out - https://lnkd.in/gc4ecUwM #contentmoderation #online #Meta #ai

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Some trends we are finding in the protein space.

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Today on #WorldOvarianCancerDay, we’re calling on the World Health Organization (WHO) global health leaders to recognize ovarian #cancer as an urgent health priority. To help make sure no woman is left behind, I’ve just signed the petition from the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition calling for recognition of #ovariancancer as a health priority, include the disease in women’s health initiatives and in national cancer control plans, as well as address health inequities in this space. Take a moment to sign the global petition today: https://lnkd.in/dbnr5b8V. The goal is to reach 300,000 signatures as that number signifies the number of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year. A World Economic Forum report earlier this year found that closing the care gap on ovarian cancer could potentially contribute 17 billion USD to the global economy. A spotlight on ovarian cancer will ensure greater share of voice for the community in broader women’s health and development issues. AstraZeneca is committed to reinforcing the importance of access to optimal care for ovarian cancer globally. Learn more about the multi-stakeholder initiative Ovarian Cancer Commitment, and its projects https://lnkd.in/dcsruBeX . #WOCD24

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Very cool to see my mentor and colleague Whitney Dailey quoted in Newsweek this week, underlining the role of advertising, pr + comms to shape the conversation around the most pressing issue of our time. Anyone who knows me, knows how strongly I feel about this issue. The fossil fuels industry has leaned into clever advertising to propagate lies about plastics and climate change, fueling climate denialism and misinformation, for decades. We're nearing the end of the line, with the climate crisis accelerating at breakneck speed and the UN climate chief, Simon Stiell, recently saying we have two years left to “save the world.” Guterres’s comments signal that it’s time for the advertising industry to right historical wrongs and make decisions that prioritize the health of the planet, and ultimately people’s lives, over short-term profit. A global ban on advertising would significantly reduce the influence of the fossil fuel industry, and allow for more public/private sector investment in clean energy (which the International Energy Agency calculates is at $1.7 trillion per year). But governments also need to stop sending tax-payer-funded subsidies to the fossil fuels industry and take decisive action such as joining the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty (a client I'm very proud to work with), which will help to end extraction and finance a just and clean transition. There are enough existing fossil fuels to last us at least until 2050, meaning we can stop extracting now, and massively redirect towards cheap, clean and abundant renewable energy. We're at a crossroads, and the science and data shows us what lies ahead on both paths. Or to take another metaphor, we have a red pill and a blue pill. And I believe it's our responsibility as marketers to help guide society and all the stakeholders we work with (especially in business and government) towards the right pill, even if it feels like a hard one to swallow.

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Internal comms teams have been grappling with this for a while. For a while it seemed easy to take political stands that were popular, but an organization needs to align the needs of ALL stakeholder, not just its employees. And that is even based on the (usually faulty) assumption that ALL its employees think alike on an issue. Maybe its time to bring back the apolitical "apathetic" workplace. Let work be work and in doing so, it might even remain one of the increasingly rare places, where people with divergent ideologies have to learn to get along. In a hyper polarized world, where we increasingly live and socialize in self imposed silos, work and school should provide a break. https://lnkd.in/gDmUKhzB

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So here it is, the trickle down effect in real time: for those mid-sized companies that believe sustainability initiatives and reporting aren't relevant until mandated by US policy...you're very much missing the point/the bus/the electric monorail. It's not about policy, it's about global commerce. We are all connected. #sustainabilityreporting #esg #sustainablebusiness

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During the Ragan Employee Communications and Conference in Chicago - which was 2 weeks ago! - I had the privilege of participating in the Communications Leadership Council roundtable, thanks to an invite from Haiilo's Tara Herschend (thanks again Tara!!). The event gathered communications leaders from diverse industries to discuss strategic enhancements and technology integration within our profession. The conversations underscored the increasingly strategic role of comms professionals and emphasized the need for adaptability and forward-thinking. Ragan Communications and PR Daily's Editor-in-chief Justin J. has compiled an insightful recap of these discussions. I highly recommend you give it a read. But for those pressed for time (aren't we all!🤪), here are my Top 4 insights: 1) Essential Skills for Communicators: - Writing, editing, and storytelling are paramount skills for today's communicators - no surprise here, but storytelling is particularly strategic as it considers the narrative arc that engages the audience based on relevant information. - Measurement and data analysis are crucial for refining communication strategies and demonstrating their impact, which helps gain executive support. 2) Elevating Communications within Organizations: - The discussion highlighted the potential for communicators to ascend to the C-suite, though examples like David D’Alesandro are rare. This rarity is in part attributed to the cross-functional nature of communications which spans multiple departments and is not often a carved-out function. Few organization currently have a Communications chief officer within their C-Suite. - Strategic partnership and reputation management are essential, not just for the external brand but also internally, positioning communicators as guardians of both employee and executive reputations. 3) Integrating and Governing AI in Communications: - The integration of GenAI poses significant challenges due to the lack of a regulatory landscape. Discussions focused on creating internal governance to protect the brand and involve communicators in training AI models. - Successful examples cited included forming coalitions with HR and legal to create frameworks that advance operational efficiency and protect the organization. 4) Strategic Communications and Business Fluency: - Business fluency is critical for communicators to provide strategic value and build strong inter-departmental relationships. - Effective communication strategies consider organizational contexts and global events, aiming to manage change without causing disruption. Do any of these hit a nerve? Please chime in, I'd be curious to know your thoughts once you've had a chance to read Justin's full recap! #Communications #GenAI #Csuite #StrategicCommunications #RaganEvents #RaganCommunications

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Chapter 2 of my new book, "WOKE: A Cultural Competence Guide for Communicators," includes A Basic Guide to Public Relations, which offers an overview of the practice of PR. Available now on Amazon! 2. A BASIC GUIDE TO PUBLIC RELATIONS In our modern world, effective communications are key. As organizations and individuals navigate the dynamic landscapes of our interconnected lives, public relations have become a critical element that helps shape perceptions, nurture relationships, and drive visibility, leading to success. Public Relations is the art and craft of managing internal and external communications between an organization, its stakeholders, and the media. A well-crafted and executed public relations plan can establish credibility, build trust, and maintain a positive reputation. https://lnkd.in/gCAHTsP8

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Last week, Edelman released the 2024 Edelman #Trust Barometer Special Report: Business & Racial Justice, exploring the role of institutions (business, government, media and NGOs) in addressing societal systemic injustice. A few findings from this year's report - now in its fifth year - that stood out for me: 1) 6 in 10 view an inclusive and diverse #workplace as a deciding factor for considering and/or staying with an employer; 2) 3 in 4 agree that diverse workplaces yield stronger trust with customers and more #innovation in product/service outputs; 3) 6 in 10 also view #AI as having potential to inflame even more division. As we continue to navigate the very real and nuanced complexities of #DEI, it's so important to put the sensational headlines aside and look at the data. Check out some additional perspectives from my brilliant colleagues, and drop me a line if you'd like to learn more about this year's report. https://lnkd.in/eysVKKDX

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One of the most effective propaganda tactics employed by Organize is the use of a trustworthy/empathetic spokespeople to deliver their talking points. On April 13th NPR Weekend Edition ran a story based almost entirely on an interview with Jennifer Erickson, the leading spokesperson for Organize. She was never identified as having a relationship to that group, indeed Organize wasn't mentioned at all. NPR introduced Erickson as a senior fellow at the Federation of American Scientists (FAS), a venerable nonprofit dedicated to global peace, giving Erickson and her lies immediate legitimacy. It's brilliant. I remain in awe of how a communications campaign so effectively transformed policy. I went to policy school as a comms person because I knew that words, news, stories and media have the power to transform society. But I have never seen such a targeted strike. Honestly I want to analyze the Organize tactics and share their strategy with policy schools around the country. I want to show why the strategy worked and look at how communicating lies can lead to devastating unintended consequences for the issue or cause you are looking to solve. After lobbying last week in DC I also want policy school grads who become staffers to know that they are on the front lines of good policy. One reason the Organize Propaganda Campaign has made it this far is because of well-meaning staffers who got sold a hill of beans about monopolies and corruption. Instead of asking questions and talking to the OPO in their district as a partner and not the problem, staffers turned around and sold their member of Congress the beans. I don't blame the staffers, the Organize lies are compelling and provide a silver bullet solution to a complex problem...who doesn't want that? But the lack of critical thinking by staffers and by media is going to destroy the best organ donation system in the world. I encourage you to follow the lead of Science in Donation and write to NPR, who perpetuated Organize Propaganda and doesn't even know it. https://lnkd.in/gfdYnJPr

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It’s been two years since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. While we don’t yet know the full extent of the consequences, our latest state scorecard provides an important baseline for assessing the impacts of policy changes that result from the rulings.  Looking at data from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, Commonwealth Fund’s new scorecard examines how women’s health and reproductive care are faring in the U.S. The research reveals alarming results: States with abortion restrictions often have fewer maternity care providers, and maternal death rates are highest in states with full abortion bans. The findings indicate that gaps in women’s health and reproductive care could widen further in post-Roe America, especially for women of color and those with low incomes in states that have restricted access to reproductive health care. https://buff.ly/3WswPsU  

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For LGBTQ+ patients, it can be difficult to share and discuss sexual orientation and gender identity with a health care professional. As a pediatrician and a mother of three members of the LGBTQ+ community, my colleague Alix shares some important reminders to find supportive care: 🏳️‍🌈Do your research and ask questions to find a supportive provider. 🏳️‍🌈 Be 100% transparent with a trusted health care provider. 🏳️‍🌈 Care for your mental health, too. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ejXU2T5Z #MerckProud

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Communications: your company heart, soul, and brain might be in the right place, but if you can't articulate that -- or defend it -- it's going to show up on the bottom line. "CSOs often have the responsibility of communicating the company’s strategy, both to internal and external stakeholders to create buy-in for sustainable principles. 'One thing that is fascinating about the CSO role is how CSOs need to be superb communicators...'” #sustainabilitycommunications #sustainability

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The negativity around ESG is settling down, and the real work continues to fine tune standards and expectations for companies and investors. How to communicate effectively through all that? Good question! #sustainabilityreporting #esg #esgreporting

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Our 6th piece of research on Business and Racial Justice in the U.S was released this week. I and our teams have been committed to this critical research for the last five years. Despite the current ongoing debate, discourse and division, the work of racial justice and DEI must continue. Regardless of the rhetoric and the attacks, the data shows that there is increasing desire for the work across communities, and the benefit from it to employees and consumers. This is a time for business and employers, in particular, to recommitment, not retreat. https://lnkd.in/eN2bTED7

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