17 Communications
OUR CORE SERVICES
We offer a range of marketing and communications services that can be customized to each client’s needs. For needs outside of our areas of expertise, we offer access to a network of mission-driven marketing and design professionals through what we call the “17C Network.”
We develop both long-form (reports, whitepapers, websites) and short-form content (op-eds, blog posts, newsletters) on a range of topics.
We conduct deep quantitative and qualitative research on trends in the ESG and impact investing space, including by designing custom surveys.
We help organizations tell their story through strategic messaging and branding across both digital and traditional channels.
We leverage our relationships in the press to raise awareness about key announcements and initiatives.
We work with clients to build their digital platforms and engage with influencers on social platforms like LinkedIn.
We organize and project manage events, whether virtual or in-person, to create a high-quality attendee experience.
“Failing to integrate ESG factors is against the fiduciary duty, especially for clients who have long-term horizons.”
— HIRO MIZUNO (FORMER CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER, GPIF)
17 Communications
17C NETWORK
The 17C Network is a curated group of experts across a range of disciplines that gives clients access to the capabilities of a full-service agency but with the advantages of a personalized approach. Each of these specialists has been thoroughly vetted, allowing us to vouch for the quality of their work. This network of trusted contacts includes professionals in:
Communications: Media relations, media training, content development, crisis communications, investor relations
Design: Graphic design, web design, branding, photography, logos, infographics, marketing collateral
Digital Media: SEO, Wikipedia, social media campaigns, digital advertising, video production, animation
Marketing: Business development, fundraising, sales, recruiting, public speaking, professional coaching
17 Communications can work alongside one or more members of the 17C Network, either as the project manager or the co-lead depending on the assignment. If there is no role for 17 Communications, then we will refer the assignment and help connect the two parties.
Please note that we DO NOT—and will not—accept a commission or bonus for any work that we refer to someone in the 17C Network. We are merely the facilitator. We believe that networks should be about community and collaboration, not about a race to the bottom.
"Sustainability, and particularly climate change, is the defining issue of our time. To properly assess related opportunities and risks, investors require high-quality, transparent and globally comparable sustainability disclosures that are compatible with the financial statements."
— ERKKI LIIKANEN (CHAIR, IFRS FOUNDATION TRUSTEES)
17 Communications
CASE STUDIES
17 Communications has worked with many of the leading players in the ESG and impact investing space. These case studies illustrate the many different hats we are comfortable wearing and show how we use strategic and integrated communications to get the job done.
Additional case studies and writing samples are available upon request by contacting us at [email protected].
Making the Mark in Impact Management with Independent Verification
Client: Tideline
Objective
Tideline, an impact investing consultant, wanted to cement the firm’s position as a leading provider of independent impact verification services and raise awareness about the importance of verification to scaling the impact investing industry with integrity. Tideline developed this specialty verification service in response to the April 2019 launch of the Operating Principles for Impact Management (the “Principles”), which were introduced by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) along with 60 founding signatories to establish a set of best practices for impact management. These Principles included a requirement for signatories to publicly disclose and independently verify their alignment with each of the Principles. Tideline, which had experience helping clients develop impact investment strategies, products and processes, was uniquely positioned to help clients meet this verification requirement and sought to make a big splash in April 2020 to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the Principles.
Results
Tideline completed 13 verifications for impact investors managing more than $70 billion in combined impact assets, and leveraged the data from the verifications to produce a research report that would serve as a benchmark for best practices in impact management. 17 Communications was engaged to help produce and promote the 47-page report, entitled: “Making the Mark: Investor Alignment with the Operating Principles for Impact Management.” The launch strategy included a virtual event co-hosted with ImpactAlpha that attracted nearly 800 RSVPs and 450+ participants. To date, the report has been downloaded more than 500 times and featured in news articles by Environmental Finance, ImpactAlpha, Responsible Investor and others.
Funding the Public Goods Necessary to Build the Impact Investing Field
Client: U.S. Impact Investing Alliance
Objective
To maintain the growth and integrity of the impact investing market, industry leaders across the impact space recognized the need to expand beyond existing field building efforts by working together to support the creation of critical public goods (e.g., data, standards, policies, regulations, etc.). Meeting this objective required a coordinated effort that brought together different market actors, such as private foundations, corporate foundations and family offices, and a communications campaign to raise awareness about the market infrastructure needed for the impact investing movement to succeed.
Results
17 Communications worked with the U.S. Impact Investing Alliance, a non-profit organization dedicated to building the impact investing ecosystem by bridging market gaps and addressing shared challenges, to develop the communications strategy for a donor collaborative called the “Tipping Point Fund on Impact Investing.” This strategy included a press release announcing a $12.5 million fund with support from nine inaugural funders, a virtual press conference featuring the presidents of Ford Foundation and Omidyar Network, and the launch of a microsite with details about the initiative. The announcement resulted in media coverage in Barron’s, Forbes, ImpactAlpha, Inside Philanthropy, The Chronicle of Philanthropy and others.
