💥 Exciting News at VIRTUE 💥
We're thrilled to announce that Christine M. Smith (Chrissy) is back and has re-joined the VIRTUE flock as our new Group Creative Director for North America.
Chrissy brings a wealth of experience and a creative spark that is truly unmatched. With a proven track record in the industry, she has consistently demonstrated her ability to elevate brands and deliver innovative solutions.
Her passion for pushing boundaries and crafting compelling narratives has been awarded, recognized, and mimicked. She is the future, and her commitment to creativity and excellence is next level.
At VIRTUE, we believe in the power of creativity to drive meaningful connections, and Chrissy's expertise will play a pivotal role in shaping the creative landscape for our clients in the US.
Welcome back Chrissy!!
Being unique and different from others is something to be proud of because it shows that you have your own identity and are not just following the crowd.
When you embrace your uniqueness, you celebrate what makes you special, whether it's your talents, interests, or perspectives.
This individuality can lead to greater creativity and innovation, as you think in ways that others might not.
Furthermore, being unique can make you more memorable and inspiring to others, encouraging them to embrace their own differences.
Overall, being proud of your uniqueness means valuing yourself and the qualities that set you apart from everyone else.
🙏🙂🙂🙏
Honoring Philly Pride
While Pride in Philly (like everywhere) is about identity, I like to think that we are all stronger when we build on our varied identities together.
I’m always thinking about business, so for me, Pride Week is a reminder that no matter what anyone’s orientation may be, the mix and acceptance of all our differences becomes a competitive strength.
As companies, we know that diversity expands our understanding and acceptance. Together, we gain better insights into the world and the markets we serve, benefit from a wider range of ideas and opinions, experience greater creativity, and become more accomplished and successful as problem solvers and competitive businesses.
As I’ve read about Philly Pride Week, I’ve come across these inspirational thoughts I’d like to share. Feel free to pass them on:
"Inclusive and diverse companies, by nature, are more successful because they reflect the communities they serve and benefit from a wider range of perspectives." – Tim Cook
"Diversity drives innovation; when we limit who can contribute, we in turn limit the problems we can solve." – Telle Whitney
"Inclusivity means not ‘just we’re allowed to be there,’ but we are valued. I’ve always said: smart teams will do amazing things, but truly diverse teams will do impossible things." – Claudia Brind-Woody
Makes me smile when I read this great article and think about what we are creating at Moonsail. The capability we now have in place - brand strategy, advertising, design, packaging, CX strategy, digital & social media, content, all working seamlessly together in partnership with great clients who get it, too. Brand growth is built on trust, but the trust exchange and investment from consumers has indeed evolved and so trust needs to land in so many new ways.
Let’s keep climbing, crew!
Some snippets:
‘there is an opportunity for brands to embrace new codes of trust, built on the intrinsic human principles of vulnerability, spontaneity and community.’
‘While it’s necessary for brands to operationalise systemically via a marketing calendar, they should also allow some space and enable a process for spontaneous, unexpected acts of kindness that will cut through in a cluttered corporate landscape’. #modernmarketing#brandbuilding#creativebusiness
We are psyched to share VIRTUE Worldwide's latest collaboration with WARC, led out of APAC. Inside Culture by Virtue is a mini-series that puts a spotlight on the emerging forces that are disrupting today and shaping tomorrow, championing a diverse range of case studies and opinions across Asia – the rising epicenter of global culture. Featuring the first piece written by the wonderful Shir Lee Akazawa on why the new code of trust is hyperhumanity, based on the Culture Of Trust report from the amazing VMG global insights team led by Julie Arbit, and supported by Zoe Chen & Huiwen Tow. Watch this space for more! Rica Facundohttps://lnkd.in/eXPDkYgZ
Let's celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month by infusing our work with the richness of our heritage. For those unfamiliar with Polynesian culture, it's a tapestry of pride, rooted in our origins, upbringing, and how we integrate these elements into our daily lives.
Consider this video showcasing Polynesian culture. At first glance, some may question the attire, the dance, or the sounds. But instead of jumping to conclusions, let's engage in curiosity. What stories do the outfits tell? What do the dance moves symbolize? How does the unity of the performers captivate us?
In the workplace, we often encounter new team members and leaders. It's natural to make assumptions based on appearance, beliefs, or personal lives. Yet, I urge you to dig deeper. Understanding our colleagues' backgrounds fosters genuine connections. Every individual brings a unique perspective, and effective leaders embrace this diversity to coach and empower their teams.
As Coach Saban aptly puts it, “We create a standard for how we want to do things and everybody’s got to buy into that standard or you really can’t have any team chemistry.”
Imagine posing these questions (the attire, the dance, or the sounds) to the high school students in this performance. Their pride in sharing their culture would be palpable. Witnessing diverse backgrounds coalesce towards a common goal exemplifies true teamwork.
Take note of the Fa'aluma, the leader/clown/jester who embodies joy and rhythm, steering the performance. This role signifies unity amidst diversity, a testament to the strength of collaboration.
Let's applaud the younger generation's eagerness to learn instead of passing judgment. They exemplify exemplary team players and budding leaders. Their journey today promises a bright future tomorrow. Let's celebrate their inclusivity and look forward to their continued growth and leadership.
Dance: Sasa (Samoa)
Kids performing come from🇦🇸 🇼🇸 🇹🇴 🇳🇿 🇲🇽 🇺🇸 🇵🇭 🇫🇯 🇦🇺
Credit: Kekuaokalani Dance Group
School: Westlake High School (With Cedar Valley students as well)
More than ever we are seeing the work of DEI be challenged and it's not a bad thing.
With everything, at some point, you have to show your working outs and evidence of what you're talking about.
Being a passionate individual in this space isn't enough, especially when encountering people who do not see things from the same lens as you. The good thing about the challenge is you can educate people and bring them on the journey with you.
That is never a bad thing.
See the challenge as a motivator to address the fine details highlight the importance, the history, growth and as a moment to build that inclusivity.
🚨 NEW ARTICLE ALERT 🚨
Here’s my official coverage of this year’s Black Men Xcel Summit hosted by Black Enterprise Magazine ✨🙌🏾🎉
The gathering took place in Miami and convened a multitude of men from various professional backgrounds from October 11 to October 13. Throughout the three-day event, guests had the opportunity to partake in panel discussions geared toward wealth management, executive leadership coaching, and more. The summit not only serves as a haven for Black men to gain and hone in on professional tools to advance their careers but also an environment where they’re celebrated.
I had an awesome time inteviewing trailblazers like Alfred Edmond Jr. , Chazz Scott, M.S. and more. ✍🏾 📝
“I feel like this is one of the few opportunities where Black men can come into one environment and celebrate Black excellence. I think that's important because we're all trying to come together to try and help each other in the areas of mental health, financial wellness, and emotional wellness. It’s so impactful because there aren’t many spaces like that. It’s also important to realize that we have resources of people that look like us that are on the same path. I think we forget that many people are on the same path when we’re the only Black person in the room, but when you walk into a space like this, it’s a great feeling when you aren’t the only one.”
#blackenterprise#miami#blackmen#blackmentalhealth#blackexcellence#linkedincreators#linkedincreator#journalism#journalist#media#mediapersonality
L’ATTITUDE alum and Foot Locker CEO, Mary Dillon, continues to be at the front of supporting the U.S. Latino Cohort and showing her L’ATTITUDE 🙌🏽👏🏽
It’s time major business leaders take note from Mary Dillon and begin facing the reality that the Latino community needs to be a priority in business strategy! Mary has been an inspiring force in supporting the U.S. Latino community through a range of impactful initiatives. Each year at L’ATTITUDE, when Mary has participated, she has shared with our audience how under her leadership she is empowering and uplifting this cohort and promotes diversity and inclusion in her business practices, ensuring vital representation of the U.S. Latino cohort 💯
During Mary’s time as CEO of Ulta Beauty, Mary was committed to change and representation in the beauty world and saw the importance of the Latino consumer. As CEO of Ulta Beauty, her leadership showed value in diversity in their consumers, in their campaigns, in their store experiences and more! She is now taking her support for the L’ATTITUDE mission with her in her role as CEO for Foot Locker and she is showing her L’ATTITUDE through her influence in two different industries! “If we don’t win with Latinos, then we don’t win.” 👏🏽
We are proud of the strides that Mary has taken in the corporate world by shifting focus and perspective on the Latino community and their power. Mary has stayed committed to showing her L’ATTITUDE 💯 and focusing on The New Mainstream Economy.
Be among the L’ATTITUDE 2023 audience in seeing our nation’s most influential CEOs this September 27 - 30 in Miami for L’ATTITUDE 2023!
This will be an event that will MAKE HISTORY and you don’t want to miss a second! Link in bio to register NOW #LATTITUDEISEVERYTHING
How to create a harmonious environment and boost innovation by 29% by embracing diversity? Consider these suggestions:
1️⃣ Listen Actively: Engage in genuine conversations, seeking to understand different viewpoints without judgment.
2️⃣ Educate Yourself: Learn about diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences to broaden your understanding.
3️⃣ Challenge Your Biases: Reflect on your preconceived notions and be open to unlearning and growing.
4️⃣ Promote Empathy: Put yourself in others' shoes and empathize with their unique circumstances and beliefs.
5️⃣ Foster Inclusivity: Create environments that value diversity, where everyone feels safe to express their opinions.
6️⃣ Seek Common Ground: Look for shared values and interests to bridge gaps and find areas of agreement.
Have you witnessed the power of diversity driving innovation and growth? Share your experiences below and join the conversation! 👇
Really excited to see this article in the feed today ESPESCIALLY during Pride Month! 🌈😊
Simon Halls is a gift, a legend, and an ICON. I've been following his career for years and so excited to see his CRUCIAL work acknowledged and celebrated in this way.
If you are unfamiliar with his PR work, I highly recommend reading through this article
VP, Creative Direction / IoDF Development Board Member
5moI think this is amazing! Congrats VIRTUE Worldwide ⭐️