Reputation Dynamics forms Partnership with Climb the Green Ladder: Sustainability Training Critical for Retaining Talent and Competitive Edge

Reputation Dynamics, in partnership with Climb the Green Ladder, provides training sessions for corporations and non-profits to learn all about sustainability and social change, the business imperative, as well as how to develop and champion stakeholder-driven programs. The program also features a special emerging market session on social change development in Africa.

"Social change, sustainability and 'Going Green' is the evolution of an accepted management paradigm and a key component for safeguarding reputation and competitive business edge - despite an economic slowdown," said Samantha Taylor, Reputation Dynamics founder and president. "Many organizations have enjoyed substantial benefits from their programs, while others are still postponing development."

Seventy-eight percent (78%) believe the value of a job candidate's environmental and sustainability knowledge will increase in importance as a hiring factor within five years. (The Engaged Organization: March 2009).

"Engaging employees with sustainability opportunities has become a critical factor, despite lay-offs, as organizations continue to struggle with attracting and retaining talent for the long term," added Samantha.

Companies continue to be under the gun to implement effective sustainability and social change initiatives to address society's widespread challenges including healthcare, poverty, environmental issues and workplace development - all in conjunction with greater stakeholder mobilization and driving profit.

Sustainability spans a variety of social, economic and environmental activities by organizations that demonstrate their commitment to society on a local or global level, responsible business operations, grass-roots education initiatives and accountability of charitable contributions. These policies and programs can be designed to complement and enhance a company's business strategy, mission, cultural values and workforce development initiatives.

Customized, collaborative sessions, led by Samantha Taylor and associate partner - Shari Aaron (author of Climb the Green Ladder: Wiley), will address trends, best practices and approaches for effectively aligning 'Doing Good in Society' with business, stakeholder and community needs.

A typical agenda includes the following components:

• Role and impact of sustainability, social change and green marketing
• Top global concerns
• Impact on brand, reputation and performance
• Making the business case
• The new relationship dynamics between the for-profit and non-profit sectors
• Integration within the organization - connecting the dots with the CMO, HR and employees
• Positioning and messaging for impact
• Experiential marketing and campaign development
• Emerging market spotlight - Africa
• Evaluation and results benchmarking

Please contact Sam Taylor for further details about the program, cost and registration:

sam@reputation-dynamics.com - (212) 979 6092.

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http://www.climbthegreenladder.com/

Live from The Corporate Council on Africa - Perspectives on Aligning Social Responsibility for Africa

Joining hosts Ian & Tonya Fitzpatrick, hosts of Travel'n On Radio, from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center convenes experts in African and US business:

Marc Cavaliere, Executive Vice President of South African Airways

Sam Taylor, Founder and President of Reputation Dynamics

Thad Simons, President and CEO of Novus International

Keith Bruce, President of SportsMark

Peter Greenberg, CBS Travel Editor

For more information about this week's program and to listen click on following link:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/TravelnOnRadio/2009/09/30/LIVE-from-the-US-Africa-Business-Summit

The U.S.-Africa Business Summit attracted more than 1,500 leaders from the private and public sectors in the U.S. and Africa including U.S. and African heads of state and their cabinet ministers, along with CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, and heads of international organizations. In addition to a special speech made by Hillary Clinton and an agribusiness plenary, participants had the opportunity attend more than 50 industry-specific sessions including infrastructure, natural resources, health, financing, power, social responsibility and experiential tourism.

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The Corporate Council on Africa - LIVE from the US-Africa Business Summit in DC

Joining host Sandy Dhuyvetter this week from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center TravelTalkRADIO brings experts in African and US business:

Samantha Taylor, Founder of Reputation Dynamics
Barbara Hochstellar, Airport Designer
Yusuf Reja, Founder and CEO of ZebraJobs.com
Obinna Ekezie, President of Wakanow.com
Tim McCoy, VP Member Services of The Corporate Council on Africa
George Aboagye, CEO Ghana Investment Promotion Center

For more information about this week's program and to listen click on following link:
http://www.traveltalkradio.com/TTR_760kfmb.html

The U.S.-Africa Business Summit attracted more than 1,500 leaders from the private and public sectors in the U.S. and Africa including U.S. and African heads of state and their cabinet ministers, along with CEOs of fortune 500 companies, and heads of international organizations. In addition to a special speech made by Hillary Clinton and an agribusiness plenary, participants had the opportunity attend more than 50 industry-specific sessions including infrastructure, natural resources, health, financing, power, social responsibility and experiential tourism.

Stay tuned for Sam Taylor's report back on the conference and implications for corporate social responsibility in Africa.

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CORPORATE COUNCIL ON AFRICA’S U.S.-AFRICA BUSINESS SUMMIT

Aligning ‘Doing Good in Society’ with Business and Experiential Tourism

Reputation Dynamics Founder Sam Taylor will be moderating a panel on ‘Business and Experiential Tourism’ in conjunction with the 7th Biennial U.S.– Africa Business Summit: Realizing the Investment Power of Africa, to be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., September 29 – October 1, 2009.

The African continent continues to show potential as a leading foreign direct investment destination for American businesses, despite the economic downturn nations around the globe are currently experiencing.

According to the IMF, Africa is still expected to maintain a positive growth rate of 3.4% for 2009, an impressive achievement for the continent. The continent is seeing increasingly higher levels of investment in industries such as infrastructure, financing, tourism, agribusiness, health, and energy.

About the Summit: The U.S.-Africa Business Summit is expected to attract more than 1,500 leaders from the private and public sectors in the U.S. and Africa. The summit has a stellar track record of bringing together U.S. and African heads of state and their cabinet ministers, along with CEOs of fortune 500 companies, and heads of international organizations. In addition to an agribusiness plenary, participants will have the opportunity to attend more than 50 industry-specific sessions and workshops on other promising sectors in Africa, including infrastructure, natural resources, health, financing, power, social responsibility and tourism.

Business and Experiential Tourism Panel Details
Thursday, October 1, 2009 - 10.30-12.00

Moderator - Sam Taylor, Founder of Reputation Dynamics

Panelists:

Elizabeth (Liz) Culkin - Vice President, ASTA
Leslee Hall - Botswana Tourism Board, Partner Concepts
Karen Hoffman - Tanzania Tourism Board, The Bradford Group
Dennis Pinto - Managing Director, Micato Safaris

According to the World Tourism Organization (WTO), ‘sun-and-sand-tourism’ has now matured as a market and its growth is projected to remain flat. In contrast, experiential tourism, encompassing eco-, volunteer, heritage, cultural, and adventure tourism is expected to grow three times faster than the tourism industry as a whole. Beginning in the 1990s, this sector has grown up to 34% per year and could grow to 25% of the world’s travel market within six years, taking value of the sector to $473.6 billion a year. The workshop will cover the opportunities for participation, investment and growth potential for the continent.

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About The Corporate Council on Africa: Established in 1993, The Corporate Council on Africa is a nonpartisan 501 (c) (3) membership organization of nearly 180 U.S. companies dedicated to strengthening the commercial relationship between the U.S. and Africa. CCA members represent nearly 85 percent of total U.S. private sector investments in Africa. The organization is dedicated to bringing together potential business partners and to showcase business opportunities on the continent.

Currently, 85 percent of all U.S. private sector investment in Africa comes from CCA members.

For more information and to register for the 7th Biennial U.S.–Africa Business Summit, visit: www.africacncl.org.

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CMO Club Roundtable: Smarter Approaches to Cause Marketing

Cause Marketing CMO CLUB Roundtable Podcast with Bruce Burtch, CEO - The Cause Marketing Catalyst, Lee Fox, Founder - KooDooZ, and Sam Taylor, Founder - Reputation Dynamics.

Three cause marketing experts share insights in a roundtable conversation hosted by Pete Krainik, Founder - The CMO CLUB.

Topics include:

• CMO worthy definition of cause marketing
• Best resources for measurement
• Risks and rewards for non-profits and brands
• Importance of "brand-fit" between for-profit, not-for-profit, and cause
• How cause marketing affects consumer perceptions
• Emerging causes
• Closing recommendations for CMOs

Link to Podcast: http://www.thecmoclub.blogspot.com/

Cause Marketing Podcast - MP3 File

For more information about The CMO Club - http://www.thecmoclub.com/

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Repairing Reputations with Cause-related Marketing - Creating Positive Change for Financial Institutions

Teleseminar: Wednesday, August 26, 1–2:30 p.m. EDT

Public Relations Society of America - Financial Communications

Register now

Developing cause-related marketing initiatives is important for a financial institution seeking to increase brand awareness and regain trust.

Consumers are aware of organizations that support global concerns such as poverty, and increasingly influencing their buying decisions. Effectively integrating cause marketing can also help companies repair damaged reputations by donating resources and volunteer support to non-profit/NGO organizations. With current economic conditions, sponsorships of fundraising events are more important than ever and they are willing to negotiate these costs, as well as return on investment. Cause-related marketing is expected to reach $1.57 billion this year.

Why should a financial services firm use cause marketing to improve its reputation with its various stakeholders?

By getting involved in charitable causes and mobilizing employees, the company makes a positive impact in the communities it conducts business. This will translate into positive brand impact and strengthen stakeholder relationships such as shareholders, board of directors, employees, public officials and the general public.

You will learn:

• About corporate social responsibility and trends
• How to choose the right cause or nonprofit organization
• How to increase employee involvement
• How to leverage your sponsorship
• Best practices and approaches in cause marketing

PANELISTS:

Samantha Taylor - founder and principal, Reputation Dynamics
Steve Bumgarner - co-founder and co-principal, Capture Public Relations and Marketing
Dan Marks - chief marketing officer, First Horizon Bank

MODERATOR:

Keith Tolbert - marketing specialist, First Community Bank

TELESEMINAR: Wednesday, August 26, 1 — 2:30 p.m. EDT

PRSA Financial Communications Section Member $85
Member $190 / Non-Member $290

APR Accreditation Maintenance Credits Approved: 1.0

Click here to register!

On Campus from Broadway Theatre Project - Musical Theatre Arts Training Program

I am in my fourth year, on-site, supporting the Broadway Theatre Project's intensive musical theatre arts education program for high school and college kids. Today marks an exciting milestone in the history of BTP - the start of its first Festival where the parents of the students will be able to attend workshops and learn about the critical skills needed to succeed in the professional world of entertainment.

185 apprentices from 28 states, as well as Canada and American Samoa, will be performing in the Festival from July 30-August 1.

Numbers in the four festival performances have been directed and choreographed by members of the BTP faculty including Artistic Director Debra McWaters, So You Think You Can Dance - Ryan Kasprzak, Radio City Rockette - Kelly King, among others. Performances also include world premieres of workshops by Broadway Music Director David Loud and Broadway Composer Frank Wildhorn.

Frank Wildhorn’s number is from the upcoming show Bonnie & Clyde, which heads to La Jolla Playhouse in California and will then make its way to Broadway. Wildhorn also wrote the musical Wonderland, which had its world premiere workshop during the 2007 session of Broadway Theatre Project. David Loud’s numbers are from an upcoming concert of Kander and Ebb music called First You Dream that is heading to the Signature Theatre in Washington, D.C. this September.

Founded in 1991, Broadway Theatre Project is a prestigious musical theatre arts education program. For further information and to support this impressive program - http://www.broadwaytheatreproject.com/.

Sam

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