The Pilot
Employees First: Embracing the Shift Toward Worker Power Can Set Businesses up for Reputational Success
Building a Model for Stakeholder Analytics, Part 2: How SAM Derives Predictions & How Strategists can Use It
Building a Model for Stakeholder Analytics: Introducing SAM, Part 1
Rainbow-washing: How Corporate Political Spending Can Create Friction During Pride Month
By Devin Kiernan In the months since the January 6th Capitol insurrection, attention to corporate PAC spending has amplified. Consumers are now taking note not just of the cost and efficiency of a brand’s product, but increasingly of how that brand responds to moments of heightened political tension and, in particular, which politicians it helps […]
Consumer expectations for corporate activism are here to stay. Businesses should embrace them.
By Nora Wahlbink As the Trump presidency dramatically intensified political polarization in the U.S., corporate activism became nearly a must-do. Many companies that had never taken a political stance before decided to speak out against extreme policies and in support of movements for racial justice and equity. During the 2020 presidential election, we suggested what the future […]
A Generation’s Bet in 100 Days: COVID-19 and the Case for Big, Bold Government Intervention
By Steve Weber and Ben Williams One of us recently got a COVID vaccine at the Oakland Coliseum in Northern California. It was a triumph of massive logistics on a scale that few Americans outside of the military ever get to see first-hand. A line of cars more than a mile long moved forward at […]
Going All In: The Case for Crafting an Even Stronger Environmental Approach To CSR
Photo by Sarah Dorweiler, Evano Community By: Jim Wyderko As our society begins to rebuild from the rubble of the pandemic, a myriad of complex societal issues loom on the horizon. Our world is diseased, and has been so for far longer than the onset of COVID-19. In times of crisis, we must focus on which […]
How Did Democrats Win Control of the Senate? You Can Thank Grassroots Organizers
By Karianna Torres In a historic win, Democrats took control of the Senate through two unexpected elections in Georgia. To our collective surprise on the morning of January 6th, both John Osoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock were on track to win Senate seats. But why were these Democrats able to flip seats in traditionally red […]
Raising the Bar on Corporate Activism: Power of the Corporate Purse
By: Ben Williams Prior to the November election, I suggested corporations and leaders should to be prepared for a scenario in which consumers held them to a growing standard for corporate responsibility and activism. My argument centered around the impact the Trump administration’s unusual approach to governance, rhetoric, and social issues has had on our […]
BWS Top Picks for Super Bowl LV Ads
There’s no denying the hype – whether for the themed food, half time show, QB standoff, your team in the game or the thrill of what ads will grace our screens this year. We’ve talked about corporate activism, what consumers expect from those with millions at their disposal. Attention is inevitably heightened following a year […]
Breakwater Books: 11 Books that Made us Think in 2020
By: Breakwater Staff Stay-at-home orders and quarantines provided us all a lot of time to fill in 2020. Between hours of Zoom calls, client projects and binge-watching TV, the Breakwater team found time to explore a broad array of excellent books this year. Here’s a list of 11 that made us think: The Decadent Society: […]
Prof. Steven Weber Joins Breakwater Strategy as Managing Director
Weber brings decades of experience in consulting, research and academia as the firm continues to grow and expand its client offering November 5, 2020 (Washington, D.C. and Berkeley, CA) Leading strategic communications and insights consultancy Breakwater Strategy announced today that Prof. Steven Weber has joined the firm as Managing Director. Weber brings over three decades […]