THE MCPHERSON MEMO

ON OUR MINDS
Brought to you this week by Isabelle Jetté, our VP, Growth and Operations, who, despite the roller coaster lead-up to the Tokyo Olympics, is excited to catch the Opening Ceremony.
 
And around (the Olympic rings) we go...
Let’s face it, the road to the Olympics this year has been nothing if not uncertain. In addition to last year’s postponement, a host of setbacks — from myriad organizing committee resignations and public outcry in Japan to a state of emergency in Tokyo and spectator ban amid COVID surges — have raised the possibility of another cancellation as recently as this week. Then there was the series of questionable decisions by athletics associations and officials specifically targeting women (see here, here and here), and the restrictions preventing nursing athletes from bringing their infants (thankfully these were overturned). While the Olympics will understandably be a flashpoint for many, leading several advertisers to demur, the lure of the pinnacle in sport’s ability to celebrate what the human race is capable of is hard to deny. For every Simone Biles, there’s an Oksana Chusovitina, and there’s also an Agnes Keleti (featured in the IOC’s Opening Ceremony ad). We’re hopeful the competitions will run with minimal disruption and the safety of all those involved will be safeguarded through robust COVID protocols. Let the Games begin.
 
Our suborbital beef with Bezos
Making space travel possible for private citizens is by all accounts “a moment of American exceptionalism,” as White House press secretary Jen Psaki put it on Tuesday when asked about Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin flight. Coupled with Richard Branson’s own excursion last week, the course seems charted for a boundless space tourism industry. But pageantry and hype aside, couldn’t the world’s billionaires be devoting more of their time and concentrated wealth to solve our most pressing problems, especially when such 10-minute jaunts are set against a COVID pandemic and extreme weather backdrop? (An internal filter would also be nice.) Yes, the Earth Fund $10 billion pledge over 10 years is a good start, and giving away $200 million to Van Jones and chef José Andrés following the flight to donate to charitable organizations of their choice is certainly notable, but MacKenzie Scott’s $8 billion+ philanthropic spree over the past year connotes the sense of urgency that’s commensurate with the challenges at hand. On a brighter note, Wally Funk (the coolest name ever, by the way!) finally took flight into space after 60 years, and that’s certainly something to cheer for.
 
Back on earth, an urgent call for climate action
While some are eager to fantasize about Planet B, the rest of us are dealing with the all too real effects of climate change. In little more than a week, China saw the equivalent of a year’s worth of rain in three days, river basins overflowed in Germany and several parts of North and Central Europe, and nearly 300 wildfires in British Columbia and scores more across the U.S. raged, creating unhealthy air quality conditions as far as the Northeast. Hundreds have perished, thousands are still unaccounted for, more than a million have been displaced, while the cost of the damage and devastation is immeasurable—priceless, a dystopian Mastercard ad would say. Amidst all that, the Amazon rainforest, long coined the ‘Lungs of the Earth,’ is no longer acting as a net carbon sink due to decades of deforestation. The situation is likely as dire as it’s ever been, but leading climate scientists remain positive that with concerted, immediate and sustained action to stop carbon emissions, we can mitigate temperature rise. As individuals, we can do our part by redirecting how we spend our money and our time. Business and NGO leaders can take action, implement a net-zero strategy and engage in climate policy all while outpacing their competition. The media should also consistently communicate when climate change is a factor in weather-related events (‘enhanced sunsets’ seems rather offkey in this case). And we must all hold our governments to task. Because for the foreseeable future, there is no Planet B.
 
ON OUR RADAR
 
Read:

• Jeannette Ferran Astorga, head of sustainability at Zoetis (McP client) explains the physical, social and financial impacts of access to quality animal care, especially in regions that rely heavily on smallholder farming.
• As Axios’ Erica Pandey explains (and we couldn’t agree more), the C-suite job of the future is the Chief Purpose Officer. Citing University of Chicago Booth’s Luigi Zingales, “there’s enormous potential” for companies to affect positive change.
• Calling all young aspiring feminists – Jamia Wilson’s This Book is Feminist is the perfect accessible primer to navigate the roots of feminism and its intersectionalities.

• If you’re overwhelmed with the mounting pressure of designing a human workplace that works for all of your employees, sign up for Erica Keswin’s six-session program, How To Bring Your Human To Work For Leaders.
• Pivotal Ventures and The Holding Co.’s dynamic overview of the caring economy breaks down what we spend to care for our loved ones, from their first breath to their last.

• Filmmaker James Robinson’s moving, personal and quirky perspective on empathy and acceptance in How Life Looks Through My ‘Whale Eyes’ made us see what a more tolerant and kinder world could look like.
• Ted Lasso season two is finally here! But feel-good bingers, be forewarned: true to form, Apple TV+ will only be releasing a new episode weekly (the struggle is real, we feel you).

• Kudos to the 100 visionary and influential philanthropists who made Inside Philanthropy’s Power List!
• In an effort to help address the mental health crisis in America, Harry’s Open Minds Initiative is setting out to find a nonprofit leader with the next big idea in mental health care. Submit your idea today for your chance to receive a $5 million grant.
• The Milwaukee Bucks put on a stunning display to defeat the Phoenix Suns in the NBA finals, their first title in 50 years. They’re also big winners in our books for recently taking a public stand against voting rights restrictions, which our client, the Leadership Now Project, helped orchestrate.
• McCormick’s brilliant PR stunt under the guise of a job application just about got everyone talking and salivating. Now, we anxiously await who will be crowned Director of Taco Relations.

• Pat Mitchell, author and Editorial Director of TEDWomen, is a powerful connector for women seeking to create change. Sign up for her newsletter and check out the latest issue here (h/t for highlighting Susan’s book, The Lost Art of Connecting!).

• Tune in July 28 for Just Capital’s Women & Diversity in the Workforce, a lively and timely fireside chat between ​​Jean Case and Mellody Hobson on the critical elements needed for an equitable post-pandemic recovery.
• The Economist is launching Innovation@Work, a week-long virtual event October 18-21 centered on the future of work and featuring McP clients Dr. Angela Jackson (New Profit) and Lisa Kenney (Reimagine Gender). Register for free today.
• McP client Mosaic is hosting a launch event next Wednesday, July 28th at 6pm EST to introduce a new platform and community for self-directed learners and leaders. Register here: https://weareborntolearn.org.

• Petco is seeking someone who is passionate about pets, people and the planet for its Director of Sustainability. Apply here.
• The Sheryl Sandberg & Dave Goldberg Family Foundation is actively recruiting for several roles. You can find all their openings and apply here.
• The Clinton Foundation is looking for a CEO to lead its CGI University. Apply here.
• BlackRock is hiring a Corporate Communications Vice President. Apply here.
• Parade is on the lookout for a Director, Corporate Social Responsibility and Communications. Apply here.
• TikTok is hiring a Global Head of Corporate Social Responsibility. But, before you apply, we highly recommend you check out and build your own TikTok Résumé first!