Giving Businesses a Voice Through Acumen Media's Sustainable Global Trade Initiative (SGTI)

USA Today

18-02-2025

Jason Phillips
Contributor
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For years, the conversation around sustainability has been dominated by a singular focus: going green. Companies across industries have scrambled to reduce carbon footprints, embrace renewable energy, and eliminate waste; all in pursuit of a more environmentally friendly future. While these efforts are crucial, one fundamental element has often been overlooked: economic sustainability. Without financial resilience, businesses cannot survive, let alone contribute to global progress.
Acumen Media, an international media company specializing in thought leadership and storytelling through video, is launching its Sustainable Global Trade Initiative (SGTI) to address this gap. With the backing of research foundations as well as major global institutions, Acumen's initiative will shed light on the importance of sustainable global trade; not in the environmental sense, but rather with a focus on long-term economic viability. 'Sustainability isn't just about the planet; it's about people and prosperity, too. If businesses can't sustain themselves economically, their impact—no matter how green—won't last,' says Jack Boyson, Acumen's Chief Marketing Officer.
Through a series of thought leadership-driven films, Acumen will highlight businesses worldwide that are striking a balance between economic survival and responsible growth. The campaign aims to educate both businesses and consumers on why companies make the financial decisions they do; decisions often misunderstood or unfairly scrutinized.
Many regulations and supply chain decisions that may appear counterintuitive to the average consumer are often the result of necessary trade-offs between sustainability goals and economic practicality. For instance, plastic wrapping extends a cucumber's shelf life from a few days to several weeks, significantly reducing food waste. Such decisions are not to ignore sustainability but to find a balance between environmental responsibility and economic feasibility.
Andy Chan, Acumen's Managing Director and a filmmaker, states, 'With SGTI, we want to show the human side of businesses: the real dilemmas, the unseen regulatory hurdles, and the calculated risks they take to remain sustainable in every sense of the word. Video storytelling is magical because it allows people to connect emotionally and understand complex topics in a simple, digestible way.'
Through interviews, case studies, and in-depth video storytelling, SGTI will focus on sixteen key pillars that are critical to both economic prosperity and global trade sustainability. Compliance & regulation is one of the key pillars amongst them. Businesses must navigate an increasingly complex landscape of international trade laws and sustainability mandates. Understanding these regulations helps consumers and stakeholders appreciate the constraints companies operate within.
Innovation is at the heart of economic growth, but companies often face challenges protecting their ideas while maintaining fair competition. That is why Acumen considers intellectual property as another key pillar. Ethical governance, on the other hand, plays a key role for any business, fostering transparency to further promote inclusivity and ensure trade is conducted ethically and equitably.
Economic downturns, supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical shifts threaten business continuity. Resilience & risk management as a pillar explores how companies prepare for and adapt to such risks. Acumen even understands that digital impact has been a key driver, and companies must balance technological transformation with responsible business practices.
'The more consumers understand the 'why' behind business decisions, the more balanced the conversation becomes. We're here to provide that perspective,' says Andy.
Acumen truly believes that video is the key to making these complex trade issues accessible and compelling. With the rapid decline in attention spans and the dominance of digital media, businesses need more than just articles or reports to engage their audiences. 'Video allows people to see the human behind the business, to hear the conviction in their voice, to connect. People don't connect with corporations; they connect with people,' says Jack
For small and medium-sized businesses, in particular, their video serves as a critical tool for brand credibility. Unlike established corporations with built-in reputations, SMBs must work harder to tell their story. Acumen's expertise in film production, distribution, and digital marketing ensures that these businesses can reach the right audiences with the right messaging.
As per Paolo Emilio Zanini, CEO of Acumen, this SGTI is not just a one-off initiative. It is designed to become an ongoing movement. By continuously highlighting the challenges and triumphs of businesses navigating sustainable global trade, the company hopes to shift public perception and influence policy decisions. 'International trade doesn't just drive profits; it fosters peace,' says Zanini. 'When businesses collaborate across borders, it strengthens relationships between nations, creates economic interdependence, and reduces conflict. A thriving global economy isn't just good for businesses, it is good for society.'
In a world where sustainability is often reduced to carbon footprints and recycling bins, Acumen is providing the missing half of the equation: a recognition that businesses must be economically viable to contribute to a better world. Through storytelling, video, and thought leadership, SGTI will ensure that businesses—large and small—have a platform to actually be understood.
*Investing involves risk, and your investment may lose value. Past performance gives no indication of future results. These statements do not constitute and cannot replace investment advice.