Al Roker Discusses Importance of Storytelling at Social Innovation Summit

If we are not letting others know — in a compelling and sometimes entertaining way — how we are affecting change, we are doing a disservice to the mission we are championing — Al?Roker

Washington DC — NBC Today Show personality Al Roker took the stage, June 7 at The Conrad in Washington, DC at the popular Social Innovation Summit to keynote the “Champion” session spreading the word that messaging good deeds is more important now than ever before.

Speaking in front of a packed house at SIS, Roker implored, “Champion is both a noun and a verb and it’s crucial for brands and nonprofits to lean in on the verb definition — how can you champion progress and purpose, '' said Roker. “What helps drive your business while also being a good corporate citizen?”

Roker also leaned into a few personal issues that he gets to champion on TODAY.

“At The Today Show, I’ve seen the devastating weather events as the direct result of climate change, so I’ve championed for more reporting on this essential issue. I’m also championing for better health — whether it’s urging men to get tested for prostate cancer or taking the Today Show?Start Today 30-day Walking Challenge?to help our audience get healthy this year”

But it’s the?messaging?of these and other good deeds that Roker and his production company, Al Roker Entertainment, emphasized at the Social Innovation Summit.

“It’s not enough to have a corporate social responsibility mandate or some sort of community give-back. These are great, don’t get me wrong, but in today’s always-on media world, if we are not letting others know — in a compelling and sometimes entertaining way how we are affecting change — we are doing a disservice to the mission we are championing,” said Roker. “I like to refer to the age-old adage — if a tree falls in the forest and there’s no one around to hear it, does it make a sound? Usually, I see brands and companies who do good deeds and then bury them on their website. The intention is noble however engagement truly happens when content in the form of storytelling is shared across platforms where people live, inspiring them to take an action.”

(PICTURED) Al Roker Entertainment staff at the Social Innovation Summit 2022: Jon Burk — Head of Marketing/Digital Strategy, Briana Watson — Assistant to Al Roker, Rick Angeli — Producer/Client Manager, Denise Hurst Green — Branded Content Specialist, Susan Jin Davis — Social Impact Officer

To that end, Roker hosted Keith Gordon, President and CEO of Fight For Children, a DC-based nonprofit, and Susan Jin Davis, Social Impact Officer for Al Roker Entertainment to discuss how storytelling can connect more people to the social initiatives that brands and nonprofits champion.

“We continually look to engage audiences using a first-person narrative,” mentioned Jin Davis. “If there was one overriding theme of the SIS conference, it was storytelling. How can brands effectively message both internally and externally the good things they’re doing? I implore brands to consider finding relatable ‘champions’ and authentically telling their stories. Not only is this good for business, it also improves company morale, attracts talent, and of course, makes an impact on society.”

Gordon agreed. “We have many valued partners and sponsors at Fight For Children and can point to tens of thousands of lives affected by our outreach. So it is imperative that we find those stories that connect our mission to the need for action and support.”

Gordon enlisted Al Roker Entertainment to produce “Hero” stories of the inaugural recipients at this year’s HONORS gala, honoring NBA great Kevin Durant, sports reporter and Title IX advocate Christine Brennan, business leader and philanthropist Sheila Johnson, and the late Georgetown Hoyas men’s basketball coach, John Thompson. These stories were used for offline use at the May awards gala and also populated social media platforms.

“We saw the work that Al and his team did on The Musial Awards, celebrating good sportsmanship and wanted that sort of storytelling to amplify what we do at Fight For Children,” continued Gordon. “And it worked. During the evening, you could see attendees talking with their table mates and generally having a good time. However, when the hero videos of our Honorees played, you could hear a pin drop. Everyone was glued to the big screen.”

Learn more:?https://www.alrokerentertainment.com

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