EPISODE 25

When it comes to sustainability and social good, what role should corporations play? Many people these days increasingly expect companies to invest time, money and talent into making the communities where they operate better places.

In fact, according to a global survey conducted last year in collaboration with Nielsen, a whopping 81% of global respondents felt strongly that companies should help improve the environment. And this passion for corporate social responsibility (CSR) is shared across gender lines and generations.

Corporate citizenship refers to a company’s responsibilities toward society, be they environmental, social or governance (ESG) practices. These efforts can include anything from sustainable or compostable products to investments in charities and employee volunteerism.

In an earlier episode this season, we discussed the business of sustainability and identified the differences between sustainability and CSR. In this episode, we’re exploring how brands are incorporating CSR into their daily business practices, how they’re engaging their employees to amplify their impact and retain talent, and how social good can be good for communities and the bottom line.

First, Andrea Bertels, VP of Global Responsibility and Sustainability at Nielsen and Executive Director of Grant Making for the Nielsen Foundation, offers insight into Nielsen’s own CSR initiatives. Then, Melanie LaGrande, VP of Social Responsibility for Major League Baseball, and Julia Wilson, VP of Global Responsibility and Sustainability at Nielsen, discuss what CSR looks like for MLB and how other big brands and entertainment organizations can learn to incorporate social good into their daily business practice.

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