09/17/2008
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., September 17, 2008 – Racepoint Group, a global public relations agency with special expertise in digital media relations, hosted a discussion on “Corporate Social Responsibility in a Digital World” at San Jose State University yesterday. The event featured a keynote by
One Laptop per Child founder Nicholas Negroponte and a panel discussion moderated by PRWeek editor-in-chief Keith O’Brien. Panelists representing
Intel,
Chevron and
allvoices focused on how their companies have leveraged social media to engage key stakeholders in addressing global issues.
The panel included Paul Bergevin, general manager of Intel’s global communications group; Helen Clark, manager of corporate marketing, policy, government and public affairs at Chevron; and Amra Tareen, co-founder and CEO of Allvoices.
Bergevin, Clark and Tareen described how their companies have established online communities to drive their corporate missions while meeting social needs. Intel is celebrating its 40th anniversary with the launch of the
World Mural Project, a Web-based digital mural designed by more than 530 underprivileged youth from Intel’s Computer Clubhouses worldwide. To educate consumers about energy and conservation, Chevron created an online forum,
willyoujoinus.com. Allvoices is a citizen journalism portal founded after September 11 to be “the people’s CNN” and feature diverse citizen voices worldwide.
Corporate communications managers Bergevin and Clark agreed that while the rapid rate at which information spreads in a digital world can damage a company’s reputation within moments, social media allows companies to enjoy a dynamic relationship with their constituents. Such transparent engagement allows companies to solicit valuable feedback and clear misconceptions to achieve business results.
One Laptop per Child and allvoices are Racepoint Group clients.
