Welcome to Powell Tate Insights.
The deeply distressing news and haunting images surrounding the war in Ukraine provide a painful reminder of the geopolitical risks that threaten society, safety, security and opportunity around the world.
We are living in exceedingly uncertain times: Amid conflict in Europe, we must simultaneously navigate the urgent findings of the latest report from the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), economic pressures related to soaring prices, lingering pandemic effects and volatile markets that President Biden highlighted during his first State of the Union address, as well as the reimagining of work after two years remote.
Our job as communicators has never required more care, collaboration and deliberation to advance meaningful solutions — protecting brands’ reputations and engaging thoughtfully with a range of audiences.
In this month’s PT Insights, we share guidance for supporting the humanitarian efforts in Ukraine, including a view into how people are using digital media and emerging technology during the war. We're also sharing some timely thoughts – published before the war in Ukraine – on when and how organizations should use their voices.
I hope we can all find sources of hope – from governments to corporations – as much of the world unifies in support of Ukraine and its people’s stirring bravery and resilience.
 
-- Paul Massey, President, Powell Tate
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The humanitarian situation on the ground in Ukraine is dire and bound to get worse as a result of the escalating war. The global development and aid communities are responding, including protecting and supporting displaced people forced from their homes and addressing shortages of essential items such as food, medical supplies, shelter and fuel.
In our latest article on Purpose Decoded, Kate Olsen, SVP of Social Impact, outlines how the business community can best support the humanitarian response efforts.
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As people around the world look for ways to help Ukraine and its people, many are tapping the internet and digital tools in new, creative ways. At the same time, social media platforms are advancing coverage of the war – but not always truthfully, contributing to misinformation and disinformation in a rapidly evolving crisis.
In the latest issue of Media Genius, our colleagues examine “the Internet’s Ukraine outreach,” along with thought-provoking reading recommendations about the role of digital media and emerging technology in the conflict and coverage of it.
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Organizations and brands must continuously assess what issues to engage on and when, given the high expectations from stakeholders to address consequential societal issues. All the while, in today’s hyperpartisan and hypercritical environment, any comment is likely to anger some part of their customer or employee base.
To help brands thread this communications needle, Lance Morgan, Powell Tate’s Chief Communications Strategist, outlines five general guiding principles for deciding whether and how an organization should engage on challenging social and political issues.
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Thanks for reading and see you next month.
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