ESG News from Leading Brands

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Sí Se Puede —The Impossible Is Possible

Jun 11, 2017 9:00 AM ET

At the Hormel Foods 125th anniversary celebration last July, Jim Snee, now the company’s president and CEO, invited a special guest onto the stage. Alondra is a tiny 12-year-old girl in tidy long black braids, wearing a traditional embroidered blouse and skirt. It was Alondra’s first time outside of her village of San Jerónimo Chuaxan, Guatemala. During the 2,500-mile trip to Austin, Minnesota, she’d had her first rides on an airplane, elevator and escalator. But Alondra’s journey from her starting point to a world of new possibilities was much longer than that.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Yankees CC Sabathia Takes to the Lanes to "Pitch in for Kids"

Jun 9, 2017 7:30 PM ET

On Monday, June 5, Sabathia and the PitCCh In Foundation continued a tradition with the annual All Stars of New York Bowling Tournament in New York City. Joined by numerous Yankee teammates, friends from the Boston Red Sox, who were in town playing the Yankees, as well as former Red Sox slugger David Ortiz, Sabathia hosted a night of bowling to raise money for the foundation to assist inner city youth.

Environment

Corona Takes Back the Beach

Jun 9, 2017 6:30 PM ET

An estimated 8 million metric tons of plastic waste enter the oceans each year, making ocean trash a serious environmental threat to the ecosystem and the many islands that depend on pristine beaches to boost tourism. In the past, organizations have combated the issue by educating tourists and individuals who feel removed from the issue. But now, one partnership is tackling problems on the ground while also addressing the source of the issue.

Green Infrastructure

Keep Reynoldsburg Beautiful Unveils New Dr Pepper Snapple Group Park Recycling Bins

Jun 9, 2017 4:30 PM ET

Residents visiting Reynoldsburg, Ohio's JFK, Huber and Civic parks will be seeing cleaner public parks thanks to a significant grant made possible by Dr Pepper Snapple Group (NYSE: DPS) in collaboration with Keep America Beautiful.

Environment

Google, Facebook Join Cities in Challenging Trump on Climate

Jun 9, 2017 4:20 PM ET

Alphabet Inc.’s Google, Microsoft Corp. and Facebook Inc. are among dozens of companies that pledged their support for policies combating climate change following President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris accord.

Events, Media & Communications

Must-Attend Event: U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's Resilience Forum 2017

Jun 9, 2017 3:15 PM ET

Register today for Promoting Resilience and Cross-Sector Collaboration for a Sustainable Future, June 26 in Washington, D.C. Reserve your spot today to learn from top business and disaster preparedness response experts. Register here!

Diversity & Inclusion

Marina Bay Sands: The Resort That Never Sleeps

Jun 9, 2017 2:15 PM ET

HRM Asia recently highlighted the Human Resource department at Marina Bay Sands on how they keep the property operating to meet guest’s needs and still reach internal business goals. In line with Las Vegas Sands’ commitment to our Team Members, our properties provide an outstanding work environment and we are committed to helping them thrive and advance in the hospitality industry.

Innovation & Technology

Retiring Doesn’t Equal Disconnecting

Jun 9, 2017 1:40 PM ET

After so many years of living my life by the clock and my Outlook calendar, I sometimes wonder what it must be like for the residents we serve when they first retire. The majority juggled demanding personal and business schedules. Did they feel a sense of relief when they no longer had to check a personal device to stay on top of their day – or was there a void?

Environment

From Paris to Drawdown: Get Serious About Climate

Jun 9, 2017 1:00 PM ET

Like other unconscionable and unfathomable acts of the early 21st century—a period of historic great change already—Trump’s pulling out of the Paris Climate Agreement has sent me searching for the deeper meaning of it all, while the pundits flail away.

Diversity & Inclusion

FCA US and FIAT Brand Continue Support for Motor City Pride Parade and Festival

Jun 9, 2017 1:00 PM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Viacom Once Again Joins Everytown for Gun Safety to Wear Orange and Fight Violence

Jun 9, 2017 12:40 PM ET

Viacom unleashed the power of multiple brands to support the initiative across a variety of on-air and outdoor platforms. The company’s headquarters, a tower heaving from the center of Times Square, served as the epicenter of this support, with the building lit orange along the New York City skyline and a public service announcement – created in conjunction with Everytown and HUGE – playing on the enormous video screens hanging off the building’s eastern facade.

Education

Third Annual FCA US ‘Big Bike and Book Giveaway Day’ Rolls Out New Bikes to 150 Detroit Students

Jun 9, 2017 12:30 PM ET

Students chosen to receive a new bicycle, helmet and books were selected by Communities In Schools of Metropolitan Detroit, which provides education and community resources to help students successfully learn, stay in school and continue the path to graduation. FCA US provided the bikes, helmets, books and 50 employees through its Motor Citizens volunteer program. Detroit Eastside Community Collaborative, which has helped establish miles of new bike lanes throughout the city, provided safety instruction to the new riders.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Champion Athleticwear Celebrates 20-Year Sponsorship with Special Olympics USA National Team

Jun 9, 2017 12:15 PM ET

HanesBrands’ Champion athleticwear is celebrating its 20th year of supporting the Special Olympics USA National Team. Champion outfitted the team’s winter athletes this year in Austria and will support the team’s athletes in the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Sustainable Development Goals

Water's New Normal

Jun 9, 2017 12:10 PM ET

Cindy Wallis-Lage, President of Black & Veatch’s water business, discusses the importance of industry collaboration for more sustainable water systems.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Water Resources Fund Provides $5 Million for Waterways

Jun 9, 2017 12:00 PM ET

Healthy waterways are vital to the communities Duke Energy serves. But we can’t do it alone. Over the past two years, Duke Energy’s Water Resources Fund has helped fund 59 projects by organizations across the Carolinas and Virginia, providing support for the good work done by others.

Health & Healthcare

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas to Launch $10-Million Statewide Initiative To Help Fight Chronic Diabetic Kidney Disease and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Jun 9, 2017 12:00 PM ET

RICHARDSON, Texas, June 9, 2017 /3BL Media/ – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) announced today a new $10-million community investment Initiative to help raise awareness around the prevention and early detection of Chronic Diabetic Kidney Disease (CKD)1and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)2– two conditions greatly impacting the life span, productivity and quality of life of Texans.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

AkzoNobel and Starbucks Partnering up to Create 'Show Your Flavor' Murals

Jun 9, 2017 11:00 AM ET

Local talents and artists showcased their creativity in mural art at selected Starbucks stores in Malaysia this week, celebrating the newly launched campaign "Show Your Flavor", which focuses on self-expression through color this summer. Artists created their masterpieces on Starbucks' store walls using colorful paints provided by AkzoNobel.

Diversity & Inclusion

LA Galaxy Invest $1 Million to Enhance Girls’ Academy Training Fields at StubHub Center

Jun 9, 2017 11:00 AM ET

AEG’s LA Galaxy announced that the club has invested $1 million to renovate Field 7 at StubHub Center, which will be used as the official training fields for AEG’s LA Galaxy Girls’ Academy.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Making Sure No Young Woman Faces Breast Cancer Alone

Jun 9, 2017 10:45 AM ET

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women ages 15–39 living in the U.S., with more than 12,000 new cases each year. Although breast cancer in young women is rare, there are more than 250,000 women living in the United States today who were diagnosed under age 40. In addition to differences in the disease itself, young women also face unique psychosocial challenges as a result of cancer and its treatment, including issues around mental health, career, fertility, parenting and more.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Unreasonable Impact | From Forgotten WWII Tunnels To Urban Farm: Q&A with Growing Underground

Jun 9, 2017 10:35 AM ET

Education

CITGO Provides Elementary Schools with Student Engineering Projects

Jun 9, 2017 10:30 AM ET

As part of the CITGO STEM Talent Pipeline Program, CITGO has partnered with the Calcasieu Parish School Board (CPSB) and McNeese State University to bring Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education to young minds through a hands-on learning experience called Engineering is Elementary (EiE).

Social Impact & Volunteering

How Creating a Volunteer Culture Can Help Your Business

Jun 9, 2017 10:15 AM ET

Employers and employees may be missing opportunities when it comes to reaping all of the benefits of volunteering in the workplace. Deloitte’s “2017 Volunteerism Survey” of working Americans found that creating a culture of volunteerism may boost morale, workplace atmosphere and brand perception. However, surveyed employees do not view volunteerism as a way to advance their career or develop new skills.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Walmart Rates HP #1 on Sustainability Scorecard

Jun 9, 2017 10:05 AM ET

Media & Communications

The Past 10 Years Have Brought Much Progress in Corporate Sustainability Efforts -- What Does The Future Hold?

Jun 9, 2017 10:00 AM ET

We have made tremendous progress over the last 10 years in such areas as the embrace of corporate sustainability, corporate responsibility, corporate citizenship, and related approaches by the global corporate sector...and in the continuing adoption of sustainable investment policies and approaches by a widening universe of institutional and individual investors.

What do you think the next 10 years will bring?

Environment

Bloomberg 35: Continuing a Legacy of Connecting With and Protecting Nature Around the World

Jun 9, 2017 10:00 AM ET