When we launched Signal360 this past January, we were already deep in planning for P&G Signal 2020. We conceived of Signal360 as an always-on companion to the live event, one that would continue the conversation that the Signal conference brought to life each July. Our first issue focused on the impact of technology on business — and of course we covered the annual Consumer Electronics Show, which drew tens of thousands to Las Vegas the very same week we launched.
By our February issue, COVID-19 was in the news, but not yet in the public mind. By the time we released our March issue — which focused on business model disruption — the pandemic was on the precipice of a global crisis. Our editor’s note in April was the first time we directly addressed the pandemic, drawing parallels between how our society might respond to both a near-term health crisis, and the growing crisis of sustainability and climate change, which was the focus of the issue.
Even as we prepared that April edition, we knew the P&G Signal conference would have to pivot to a virtual-only event. And while we missed seeing everyone in person, we took the opportunity to rethink everything about the event, bringing extraordinary Signal programming to more than 7,000 participants from over 70 countries, most of whom would never have had the chance to be part of an in-person event, pandemic or not.
In this, our final edition of the year, we’ve decided to turn to you, our community, and use the Signal360 platform to reflect your insights and advice on what has been one of the most unusual and difficult years in recent memory. We reached out to Signal speakers and readers and asked them two questions: How has consumer behavior changed in the past twelve months, and what lessons have you as leaders learned thanks to the dramatic events of the past year. We think you’ll find the answers enlightening — we certainly did!
P&G Chief Brand Officer Marc Pritchard has been our steadfast leader and executive sponsor all year long, so it only made sense to turn our camera to him as we close the year. We asked Pritchard to weigh in on both questions above, as well as many more. It makes for a compelling conversation, which you can watch here. We also remember Zappos founder and Signal speaker Tony Hsieh, whom we lost this past month, and we’ve included an update on one of our Signal Entrepreneurs, Microban, which found itself launching directly into the teeth of the pandemic.
Looking back at the year that was, it’s hard to not be moved by the struggles and the lessons we’ve all learned through overlapping crises of public health, racial injustice, and economic turmoil. It was quite a year in which to launch a new publication, and as such, our archives are full of insights unique to this long moment in history. We invite you to take a look back with us. 2020 will prove to be a disruptive year that will shape our future in many ways. Now is the time to step forward and use this disruption to create new opportunities that will bring renewed hope and determination to the world.
Our resolution for 2021 is to bring you inspiration and optimism and together create a more positive year ahead.
We thank you for being part of the growing P&G Signal community, and wish you all the best for the holidays. See you in January!
Stan Joosten & John Battelle,
Editors-In-Chief, Signal360 / Co-founders, Signal P&G
