SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP’s year-in-review and 2021 year-end gathering is here!
Hello, this is PR Sunny-chan!
There is only one week left in 2021. It feels like just yesterday that we held our first morning meeting of the year entirely online… Time flies so quickly that it is astonishing.
2021 began in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. As we finally became accustomed to telework and online meetings, we also put the systems in place to hold events and conduct interviews online, and a “new normal” style of PR activity became firmly established over the year.
Now, let us take a look back at the year at SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP!
January–March
▼Start of work (1/4)
https://blog.ssu.co.jp/blog/18770
The new year arrived amid a growing number of COVID-19 cases. We usually hold a zodiac-themed event each year, but this time it was held entirely online. Each company shared its New Year’s resolution along with a single kanji character!
April–June
▼Introduced the “Vaccine Leave Program” as part of the “32 Benefits” (4/12)
https://ssug.co.jp/news/2021/04/12/day-off-to-get-vaccination/
In April 2021, we introduced a new “Vaccine Leave Program” within the “32 Benefits.” We established it as an employee benefit so that members who wish to be vaccinated can do so safely and without hesitation.
▼Released SUNNY SIDE UP’s in-house manual book, “SUNNY SIDE UP’s Step-by-Step PR” (4/28)
https://blog.ssu.co.jp/pr_methods/19483/
To use across all PR-related operations for training and OJT for new and mid-career hires, we created an in-house manual. We then edited it into a single book and published it in April, explaining PR work by category so it can be used as a “basic guidebook” for all PR professionals.
It covers nearly everything in the fundamentals of PR—from PR thinking and planning to how to create the reports that are essential in day-to-day work. It is a new standard “PR textbook” that even new PR professionals can read without getting lost, and that anyone can read easily even without prior knowledge.
Here is where you can purchase it—please take a look!
▼SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP Representative Director Etsuko Tsugihara appointed Chair of Keidanren’s Diversity Promotion Committee (6/1)
https://ssug.co.jp/news/2021/06/01/keidanren-diversity-promotion-committee/
▼Established the “Social Good Promotion Office” to drive solutions to social issues through the power of public relations beyond corporate and organizational boundaries (6/1)
https://www.ssu.co.jp/news/2021/06/01/5022/
▼Conducted workplace vaccination for entertainment industry professionals (6/17)
https://blog.ssu.co.jp/blog/19741/
In late June 2021, we conducted “workplace vaccination” for professionals in the entertainment industry. In addition to the large number of freelancers in the industry, there was also the challenge that, due to the nature of the work, it is difficult to work remotely. Therefore, we took action to support the entertainment industry as a whole and help society return as soon as possible to a place where everyone can enjoy entertainment with peace of mind.
July–September
▼Released “SDGs for Companies to Thrive Through 2030,” a guide to corporate PR for practicing the SDGs and social action (7/2)
https://blog.ssu.co.jp/blog/19961/
At SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP, we have been involved in numerous social action initiatives since the era of the MDGs (Millennium Development Goals: eight international goals compiled in 2001 with a target date of 2015), even before the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) were adopted. On July 2, we released a book that condenses more than 30 years of “social action” PR know-how into a single volume.
It is also recommended for those who are unsure how their company should approach the SDGs, as well as for those who want to learn about the difference in social impact created by “donations” and “awareness-raising,” and how to maximize the external communication power of in-house SDGs promotion activities.
Here is where you can purchase it—please pick up a copy and take a look.
▼Established “Social Good Ventures,” a corporate venture capital fund specializing in solving social issues (8/30)
https://ssug.co.jp/news/2021/08/30/social-good-ventures/
Within SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP Inc.’s “Social Good Promotion Office,” we established “Social Good Ventures,” a corporate venture capital fund that invests in and supports the commercialization of companies working to solve social issues, and began accepting applications from companies seeking investment starting Wednesday, September 1!
For companies with businesses that contribute to solving social issues, when we determine that their growth will have a positive impact on society and the environment, we provide comprehensive support through three pillars: (1) investment funding, (2) support for commercialization and business growth, and (3) PR and IR support through the provision of PR communication services.
▼GOOD AND COMPANY Inc. launched (9/13)
https://ssug.co.jp/news/2021/09/13/goodandcompany/
We changed the company name of Sunnysideup Career Inc. and, in addition to our existing recruitment and placement services, began full-scale business operations from September as GOOD AND COMPANY Inc., which develops platforms for solving social issues!While coordinating with specialists and business partners in each field, we are advancing our business activities under the new company name, GOOD AND COMPANY Inc., aiming to “co-create and realize solutions to social issues” in areas that go beyond the conventional concept of PR communication, transcending the boundaries of companies and organizations.
▼“GO GREEN PROJECT” launched to coincide with SDGs Week (9/17)
https://blog.ssu.co.jp/blog/20667/
In September, to coincide with “SDGs Week (Global Goals Week)” in 2021, we launched the “GO GREEN PROJECT” within SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP as an initiative for all members to engage with the SDGs and raise awareness together. As the first phase of the project, we announced an “8 Action List” showcasing the sustainability promotion activities practiced at our head office location.
We compiled each action into pictogram materials so that people at other companies can also use them, andon our official website we continue to make them available free of charge! Why not join us and start with small actions?
▼SUNNY SIDE UP won “PRWeek Asia Best Places to Work 2021” (9/9)
https://blog.ssu.co.jp/blog/20544/
At the “PRWeek Asia Best Places to Work 2021” awards, co-hosted by global PR industry publications PRWeek and Campaign, SUNNY SIDE UP won the Gold Award in the “Large Agency” category in September! We will continue to further promote “creating a workplace where each individual can work as themselves” in ways that look ahead to the next era, and work toward becoming an “international role model company.”
October–December
▼Official media “SUNNY DAYS” renewed!
https://blog.ssu.co.jp/blog/21352/
It has already been a year since SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP’s Sendagaya office was renovated and the official blog we had been running was reborn as the official media “SUNNY DAYS.” On Wednesday, November 24, we fully renewed “SUNNY DAYS”!
We refreshed the overall design so that everyone who wants to work with us, collaborate with us, and learn more about SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP can quickly find the information they want to see. We have also sprinkled in other “fun” elements, so please try to find them. We hope you will continue to enjoy reading a wide variety of articles!
▼Appointment of SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP President Representative Director Etsuko Tsugihara as President (Chair) of the International Public Relations Association confirmed
https://ssug.co.jp/news/2021/11/01/2022presidentforipra/
Starting January 1, 2022, it has been decided that SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP President Representative Director Etsuko Tsugihara will assume the role of President (Chair) of the International Public Relations Association, becoming the first Japanese woman to do so! After being selected as a board member for the first time in 2019, Tsugihara has served as a board member for three consecutive years.
Going forward, as President leading the board members who drive the global PR industry, Tsugihara will be active for one year with “CONNECT” as the theme. Please look forward to the “fun commotion” that connects the world!
Wrapping up 2021! We held our year-end party
And today, December 24, we held our year-end party to close out the year!
President Tsugihara addressed everyone online, and Representative Director Watanabe delivered year-end greetings in front of the huge screen in the center of the office.
It was a small gathering limited to members who came into the office, butwe were able to close out the year while hoping that next year we can create a “fun commotion” where we can see everyone’s smiles in person🌞
All of our members will continue to do our best next year as well, and we appreciate your continued support of SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP.
Thank you very much for reading “SUNNY DAYS” throughout the year. ⛄ As the cold weather gradually becomes more severe, please stay warm and have a wonderful year-end and New Year holiday season!
