As my Teak Media colleagues and I came to grips with this week’s election results, our attention focused on what the incoming administration might mean to many of the organizations with which we work: nonprofits and socially responsible companies that support immigrants, education and healthcare for the underserved, social justice initiatives, clean energy, women’s rights, the food insecure and the environment.
The uncertainty we all felt before the election was quickly replaced by the worry we now have for the organizations that rely on government funding to support their work and the people impacted by their efforts.
Along with concern for our beloved nonprofits, we thought long and hard about the place of the media in what we all just experienced and the role of media moving forward. We work with the media daily to bring the good news stories of important organizations and issues to the forefront. We respect the media for its role in providing critical information to people from all corners of the world. With that said, if it wasn’t clear already, the election brought to the surface the fact that much of the mass media seems to be reaching just half of the population. There is a deep connection between what people read, hear and see and their political beliefs, and too many votes were cast based on the bias of the media each voter consumed. That sentence alone gives pause to all of us who have been involved with the media for the past decade, during which we have seen a 180-degree shift in public trust in American institutions including the media.
After acknowledging all of the above, we shook ourselves off, took a deep breath, and felt grateful for our work with the organizations and companies that are making positive change in the world.
We appreciate the opportunity to work with impressive, brilliant and inspiring CEOs, directors and others who make nonprofits the efficient and effective operations that help so many. Nonprofits and responsible companies will be even more critical moving forward as they fight for equality for people of all genders, races, financial means, and ethnicities. Responsible companies that create clean energy solutions and provide technology, services, and products to the underserved or underfunded will find their work to be of even greater value to people and the planet.
We are inspired by the opportunities that lie before all of us. In particular, at Teak Media, we are energized to use our time and talents to bridge the divide and drive attention for our worthy clients through all forms of media from traditional to social, podcasters and influencers, with audiences of varying political beliefs and interests. Our work will be valuable as nonprofits and responsible companies seek funding, credibility and public participation. The stories of nonprofits and responsible companies are nonpartisan and deserve to be heard by people who lean politically right, left and center.
Finally, we are grateful for our Teak Media colleagues, whom we trust, respect and personally like. Working with people with aligned values, shared work ethics, and who know how to have a good time goes a long way, this week especially, to sooth our frazzled souls.
