Merck Picks Up Top Sustainability Award

Feb 26, 2013 10:15 AM ET

Addison's Blog

MerckResponsibility.com, Merck’s Corporate Responsibility report, has been named the winner of the Sustainability/CSR Report Category in PR News’ 2013 CSR Awards. PR News, which recognizes excellence in CSR programs and communications in some 25 categories, announced the results last Monday in Washington D.C.. MerckResponsibility.com topped a reporting category whose honorable mentions include the estimable reports of UPS, AT&T and New Balance.

PR News lauded how the report, whose PDF totals 302 pages, provides stakeholders with a “comprehensive view of Merck’s CSR efforts” and clearly presents “how [those] efforts align with the company’s overarching goals.” Among Merck’s top global efforts are reducing maternal mortality, increasing access to safe water and making strides to address neglected tropical diseases.

Also singled out by PR News were the report’s “methodical approach to communicating [Merck’s] CSR efforts” and the “external guidelines and measurement tools [that] inform its reporting.” In the report, Merck’s progress is benchmarked against four indices: the Access to Medicine Index (ATMI), the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), UN Global Compact (UNGC), and the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Merck’s communications efforts go beyond the main site. To accommodate the growing audience for sustainability that may not delve into a full report, Merck launched MerckCR.com, an engaging and sophisticated highlights site that features a responsive, mobile-friendly design. The company also sponsored a well-produced overview video explaining its sustainability mission.

Congratulations to all the winners and honorable mentions in the 2013 PR News CSR Awards. Rigorous, clear and visually engaging communication of global CSR efforts serves as an important example—and inspiration—for all of us.

Read more about Merck's win on www.addison.com