Last May, Officer Derek Chauvin’s murder leaders released statements on social of George Floyd ignited Black Lives media supporting the decision while Matter (BLM) protests worldwide. Many stating that there is much work left to be brands publicly came out and declared done. Americans felt split about the The solidarity with the movement, sincerity of these brands’ messages, committing to addressing racial injustice some seeing it as a way for brands to get and inequity within their own walls. This publicity while others seeing it as a way Weekly past Tuesday, April 20th, Chauvin was for them to actually do good (see found guilty on all three charges of killing Spotlight On: Corporate America’s Floyd. While nearly 4 in 5 Americans Response to the Derek Chauvin trial Digest approve of the conviction, fewer see it as verdict). As racism and police violence justice (see: Chart of the Day). This lack persist, companies, powerful voices in A single source for consumer of true justice felt by many was American society, must determine how compounded by the fact that on that they can make a meaningful, sentiment, news, and resources same day, police in Columbus, OH shot lasting difference in the fight for racial related to what’s happening in and killed Ma’Khia Bryant, a Black justice beyond just statements. People the country today teenage girl, just one week after police in want to see brands walk the walk, and Brooklyn Center, MN fatally shot Daunte not just talk the talk. Leaders must get Wright, a 20-year-old Black man. creative, think outside the box, and do what’s never been done before in order April 28, 2021 In response to the Chauvin verdict, to address the root causes of the various companies and corporate systemic issues that affect us all. Number of Daily New Chart of the Day: Nearly 4 in 5 Americans Back Diagnoses in the U.S. 53,479 Chauvin Verdict, but Fewer See It as Justice U.S. adults were asked wether they approved of former Trajectory of New Diagnoses: Increasing Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin’s conviction and wether it represents justice for George Floyd Source: Analysis based on Johns Hopkins data Don’t know/ All Adults YES No Opinion NO 9 Do you approve? 77% 14% Number of COVID-19 % Cases in the U.S. 32,179,505 12 Is it justice? 67% 21% % As of 11:57am Source: Johns Hopkins Black Adults 6 7 day average of Do you approve? 91% % newly vaccinated 2.7M/day 8 people in US Is it justice? 79% 13% % As of 4/27/21 Source: NYT White Adults Percentage of Given at least one shot: Do you approve? 75% 10% 16% US population vaccinated: 43% Fully vaccinated: Is it justice? 64% 12% 23% 29% As of 4/27/21 Source: NYT Estimated herd immunity range: Date: 4/22/21 Source: Morning Consult 70%-90% Emotional sentiment COVID-Related Resources • U.S. will share AstraZeneca vaccines with world (4/26/21) Politico Sadness • What ‘taking the pandemic seriously’ means now (4/26/21) The 22% Atlantic (-5pp) Disgust 11% • Progress on eroding vaccine hesitancy stalls; 1 in 2 moms are (-7pp) skeptical about getting vaccinated (4/22/21) Morning Consult • You can be a different person after the pandemic (4/6/21) Fear NYTimes 15% (+0pp) Racial-Justice-Related Resources Joy Anger • Celebrating Derek Chauvin’s conviction is not enough. We want to 6% live (4/21/21) The Guardian - Derecka Purnell 45% (+0pp) (+12pp) Surprise • Compliance will not save me (4/19/21) The Atlantic – Ibram X. Kendi 1% • (0pp) Follow @_lyneezy (Lynae Vanee) to watch her weekly Parkin’ Lot Pimpin’ segment that breaks down race relations, Black history, Date: 4/21/21-4/27/21 Source: Brandwatch and politics with a dash of comedy, poetry, and fashion to tie it all together Note: Change in emotional sentiment is reflective of changes since 6/10/20, when we shifted how social listening is being pulled to be reflective of all social conversations, rather than COVID-19-specific conversations. • Why is climate change a racial justice issue? (4/20/21) Global Citizen Joy Anger Fear Sadness Disgust The Weekly Digest April 28, 2021 Spotlight On: Marketing/Media News Corporate America’s Response to Related to Racial Injustice the Derek Chauvin trial verdict • HEINZ is giving Black-owned restaurants up to $20K through a new grant program and a multi-year partnership with nonprofit The Derek Chauvin verdict last Tuesday brought relief restaurant equality organizations (4/26/21) Foodsided to many, while offering a reminder of the ongoing • Walmart says rising number of women, people of color are in need for accountability and true justice. With brands’ leadership roles (4/26/21) CNBC engagement in racial justice conversations becoming • Clubhouse selects Asian American artist and activist Drue Kataoka more of a norm this past year, corporate leaders last as its latest icon (4/25/21) Forbes week were ready to respond. Many expressed the • These CBD beauty brands are trying to fix the damage caused by significance of Chauvin’s verdict, marking it as just the the War on Drugs (4/20/21) Allure beginning in a long path towards fighting systemic racism and police violence. Here is what some • There’s a racial gap in marketing by banks and payday lenders, study finds (4/9/21) LA Times companies and executives had to say: • Olympics athletes will now be banned from protest in Tokyo • Ben & Jerry’s and Melinda Gates, among others, (4/22/21) Salon posted statements that addressed the difference • IPG’s data companies tap DEI expert to remove bias in data-driven between accountability and justice. marketing (4/13/21) Ad Exchanger • Many like the NBA, Mary Barra (CEO of General Motors), Brad Smith (President of Microsoft), Marketing/Media News and Kathryn Finney (CEO of Genius Guild) called Related to COVID-19 out much of the work that remains to be done • Polling suggests little downside for brands offering free products and stated their continued efforts to advocate to vaccinated Americans (4/26/21) Morning Consult for change. • Your moviegoing experience is about to change (4/24/21) The Atlantic • An organization that was widely criticized on • Boba shortage could stretch into summer, leave businesses in a social media for being insensitive was the Las bind (4/24/21) NPR Vegas Raiders, which posted the tweet, “I can • Booking.com CMO on brand's pivot to local sights, and what breathe 4-20-21.” comes next (4/26/21) Campaign Live • You’re gonna miss Zoom when it’s gone (4/16/21) The Atlantic On the other end of things, consumers are fairly • Crocs shares soar as shoe maker raises 2021 sales outlook evenly split on how they think brands should respond (4/27/21) CNBC to the Chauvin verdict. 49% said they would feel less • You’re not imagining it. Things really are more expensive since the favorably about companies that oppose the Chauvin pandemic started (4/26/21) Fortune verdict. People are also split when it comes to brands’ • Amazon expands in-garage grocery delivery to more than 5,000 sincerity in regard to statements they make. More cities (4/27/21) CNET than one third of respondents said brands are • More sex, fewer colds drive sales at Durex-maker mainly releasing statements on the verdict to get (4/28/21) BBC News publicity, compared to only 14% who said brands primarily want to do good. Approximately one quarter Economic News say it’s a mix of both motivators. To gain consumers’ • Federal aid to renters moves slowly, leaving many at risk trust and goodwill, companies must continue to back (4/26/21) NYT their statements with meaningful action, not just in • Even as economy heats up, Fed to stick with near-zero rates moments of social buzz, but all year long. (4/25/21) AP News • What history tells you about post-pandemic booms (4/25/21) The Economist Source: Morning Consult (4/22/21), USA Today (4/20/21), Yahoo! Finance (4/21/21), Quartz (4/21/21) For a regularly updated blog tracking brands’ responses to racial injustice, visit AdAge here The Weekly Digest April 28, 2021.