Companies

Michael Roth, Chairman and CEO of Interpublic, participated in the UN Global Compact Study released during this year’s UN General Assembly. As the latest milestone in over a decade of research, the 2019 United Nations Global Compact- CEO Study draws on insights from 1,000 CEOs to reveal the past, present and future of sustainable business.

IPG has been a signatory of The UN Global Compact since 2015, and supports UN Sustainable Development Goal #6, access to water and sanitation for all, though agency partnerships and corporate initiatives.

Among Michael Roth’s quotes in the survey are:  “It is the responsibility of the CEO to set the standard for values of the company. You have to take stands on issues that are important to your employee base and clients. You have to hold people financially accountable for making it happen.”

UN Global Compact Study results include the following:

  • 71% of CEOs believe that — with increased commitment and action — business can play a critical role in contributing to the SDGs.
  • Business leaders say they face an increasingly competitive and challenging business environment and 43% of the world’s largest companies cite competing strategic priorities as a top barrier in implementing sustainability.

Despite the challenges, CEOs indicate they are making real progress to deliver on expectations from investors, consumers and employees and drive measurable impact on environment, social and governance issues. Read more.