Cone Communications Launches New Tool for Companies to Assess Social Return

New tool offers analysis and recommendations; answers consumers' rising demands for companies to prove progress addressing social and environmental issues

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Cone Communications

May 22, 2014, 10:14 ET

BOSTON, May 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Cone Communications, a public relations and marketing agency, announces the launch of its new social impact tool to help companies assess, communicate and prove their progress against addressing critical social issues. The Cone Social Return Assessment is a proprietary, diagnostic tool that uncovers gaps and opportunities within three elements critical to a company's successful program: awareness, engagement and impact, and provides a plan to optimize its business and social return.

The Cone Social Return Assessment was developed based on a combination of best-in-class standards, Cone's more than 30 years of expertise in building social impact strategies and its proprietary research.

"Our research shows consumers are increasingly demanding proof that companies are creating viable solutions and achieving substantial results from their social impact commitments. Most companies are implementing programs in the marketplace, yet there is a growing need for companies to better gauge the impacts of those programs," says Rich Maiore, senior vice president of Social Impact and CSR at Cone Communications. "Cone's Social Return Assessment will enable companies to assess their efforts, course correct to deliver greater effectiveness and efficiencies and communicate results to all stakeholders."

Cone's ongoing social impact research shows the rising expectations from consumers for companies to engage in social good programs that generate tangible, sustainable results in communities around the U.S. and across the globe. According to the 2013 Cone Communications/Echo Global CSR Study, companies are expected to be an active participant – if not a driving force – in solving the most pressing social and environmental issues.

"In order to make a difference in the world, you have to benchmark and measure your progress against goals," says Bill Fleishman, chief executive officer of Cone Communications. "Our CSR experts will be able to use this tool to enhance a company's long-term strategic investment in social good, enhance reputation and further focus best-in-class campaigns."

The Social Return Assessment is the latest in a series of tools and services from Cone designed to meet the shifting needs of business. Recently, Cone launched its proprietary CSR Dashboard, a user-friendly measurement framework that captures comprehensive outputs and outcomes across business, brand and society. Last year, Cone released ConeFluence, an online influencer identification platform that offers full tracking and reporting enabling Cone to pinpoint how influencers are engaging with various brands. Cone also developed CSR SocialScore to provide a real-time snapshot of how brands use social media to inform and engage CSR stakeholders.

About Cone Communications
Cone Communications (www.conecomm.com) is a public relations and marketing agency known for igniting brands with high-impact strategies and programs based in deep insights, unique subject matter expertise and innovation. Focusing on key areas such as consumer product media relations, social media, cause branding and marketing, corporate social responsibility, nonprofit marketing, corporate communications and crisis prevention/management – the agency is positioned to help clients achieve both business and societal outcomes. Cone Communications is a part of Diversified Agency Services, a division of Omnicom Group Inc.

About Diversified Agency Services
Diversified Agency Services (DAS), a division of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) (www.omnicomgroup.com), manages Omnicom's holdings in a variety of marketing communications disciplines. DAS includes over 200 companies, which operate through a combination of networks and regional organizations, serving international and local clients through more than 700 offices in 71 countries.

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SOURCE Cone Communications