BUSINESS Archives | Page 118 of 124

Travel bans hit them where it hurts, the wallet.

August 15, 2017 compassq Comments Off

Six states now prohibit their employees from taking nonessential work trips to states with laws that, in their view, discriminate against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Both supporters and opponents of these travel bans say they are mostly symbolic. Nevertheless, the people charged with attracting visitors to the affected states say the repercussions are real: Canceled conventions and hotel bookings have cost cities and states millions.

The brands that got it right supporting Pride.

August 15, 2017 compassq Comments Off

Every June, big brands show their appreciation for LGBT dollars, I mean dignity, by featuring queer faces in their ads and brand messaging. On one hand, it’s quite heartwarming and affirming to walk around cities throughout the world and see Gilbert Baker’s rainbow flags waving in store fronts and from lamp posts.

Free speech or hate speech?

August 14, 2017 compassq Comments Off

A real estate agent got more than he bargained for when he made his feelings on the upcoming gay marriage postal vote public. Rod Robertson put up a sign reading ‘please vote no to SSM (same sex marriage)’ outside his Sunshine Coast, Queensland, office. The sign bears the name of his Cooloola Sands, a new housing estate near Tin Can Bay, and was spotted by locals who posted it online or called in.

Handbook of LGBT Tourism & Hospitality Marketing: A Guide for Business Practice.

August 13, 2017 compassq Comments Off

Ed Salvato is an LGBT travel expert and co-author of the recently released Handbook of LGBT Tourism & Hospitality Marketing: A Guide for Business Practice. He served on the Board of Directors of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) for six years and is co-founder and chief content officer of ManAboutWorld magazine, a smartphone- and tablet-based mobile and digital gay travel magazine.

LGBT inclusion is good for the economy.

August 12, 2017 compassq Comments Off

Though it might surprise some to learn that 65 percent of Americans feel that LGBT inclusion is good for the economy, it was what Ogilvy’s Bill Berman suspected his agency’s most recent LGBT marketing survey would show. “We had a sense that the cultural landscape is shifting to be more inclusive,” said Berman. “One of the reasons why we wanted to do the survey was to learn more how that shift pertains to brands and businesses. We had this inclination that because advertising doesn’t exist in a vacuum, there must be some sort of effect on non-LGBT audiences when a brand’s advertising is LGBT-inclusive.”

It’s about the money, money, money.

August 11, 2017 compassq Comments Off

Years have passed since major corporations began to take notice of the LGBTQ community’s buying power, as well as its growing prominence. Companies are still developing strategies to target the LGBTQ consumer market. One major way to reach these consumers — tried, true and effective — is through sponsoring major events, like Pride festivals and Human Rights Campaign (HRC) projects.

Big business in support of LGBT rights.

August 10, 2017 compassq Comments Off

The Texas Association of Business has been an outspoken opponent of the state’s proposed transgender bathroom bill, predicting the legislation will lead to a massive economic backlash and cost the state as much as $8.5 billion in lost business. The Indiana Chamber of Commerce was similarly alarmed by the 2015 push for the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, arguing that it would negatively affect the state’s “ability to attract and retain jobs, talent and investment.”