Updated Sep 23, 2020 - Axios Events

Watch: Reimagining capitalism in America

On Wednesday, September 23 Axios' Felix Salmon hosted a conversation on capitalism in America, featuring Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Director of Harvard's Democratic Knowledge Project Danielle Allen and founder and CEO of Operation HOPE and Bryant Group Ventures John Hope Bryant.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal discussed the details of the Paycheck Recovery Act, examples of other countries that have taken measures to stabilize their economies through the COVID-19 crisis, and the importance of accessible health care.

  • On the Paycheck Recovery Act: "It [could be] an automatic stabilizer to the economy...So it doesn't require congressional approval and therefore congressional bickering over what a package should or shouldn't be. It automatically kicks in."

Danielle Allen unpacked how the erosion of labor's bargaining power over the course of the 20th century has contributed to income inequality and how investing in the public good can lead to a more resilient public health system and economy.

  • On an effective public health system: "Public goods and substantial investment in public health infrastructure is a public good...Federal government needs to invest in and support data systems. States need to build out boots-on-the-ground organizational implementation, rebuild the sort of practices of their public health organizations in order to deliver those goods in practice as services."

John Hope Bryant discussed economic inequality in America, the importance of financial literacy and more accessible job training and internships.

  • On how economic inequality has impacted Black communities: "Where have we succeeded? The arts and entertainment and sports. Why? Because the playing field is level and the rules are published. Free enterprise and capitalism, the rules aren't published."

Axios co-founder and CEO Jim VandeHei hosted a View from the Top segment with Omidyar Network CEO Mike Kubzansky, who discussed how the American economy can become reimagined to work for the public good.

  • "Markets are not laws of physics. They are actually built by political economy and interests and power and ideas, which means they can be also rebuilt in different ways and unbuilt in important ways as well."

Thank you Omidyar Network for sponsoring this event.

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Axios Events
Updated Oct 6, 2020 - Axios Events

Watch: The science of organizational change

On Tuesday, October 6, Axios' Erica Pandey hosted a conversation on how business dynamics have shifted and how companies are building capacity for ongoing change, featuring MassMutual CEO Roger Crandall, Clorox Senior Vice President Troy Datcher and Doctor on Demand CEO Hill Ferguson.

Roger Crandall discussed MassMutual’s transition to remote work and its capacity for change and innovation during the pandemic.

  • On innovating during the pandemic: “We are absolutely moving forward right now…We pivoted [the LifeBridge program] to a program we call HealthBridge, giving free life insurance to frontline health care workers.”
  • On MassMutual’s larger purpose and his Business Roundtable membership: “We see the racial injustice going on in the country...We think business has to do something about it. So I’m really proud that MassMutual is very actively involved in that effort.”
  • Read more: MassMutual CEO shares concerns on remote work for younger employees

Troy Datcher unpacked Clorox’s growth and the unprecedented demand for its disinfecting products throughout the pandemic.

  • "We manufactured over 450 cleaning items before the pandemic, and today we produce 45...We first and foremost looked at those items that provided disinfecting properties."
  • On continuing to grow: Partnerships with folks like United Airlines, Uber and AMC theaters give confidence to people as they leave their home to go out into their communities. Clorox is growing and helping to provide a safer environment for them.

Doctor on Demand CEO Hill Ferguson discussed the effect of the pandemic on telemedicine and the realization that held beliefs about patient care aren’t always true.

  • "It's pulled our industry forward by a number of years...What's happened has been far more than just the coronavirus. The whole industry has changed."
  • On health care that could move permanently online: “We were seeing strong growth coming into the pandemic with our mental health practice. It’s only going to continue...Most people feel more comfortable talking to a therapist from their home.
  • Read more: Doctor on Demand CEO: COVID has changed the telehealth industry

Axios Chief People Officer Dominique Taylor hosted a View from the Top segment with Boston Consulting Group Managing Director and Senior Partner Luke Pototschnik who discussed the acceleration of trends, like online penetration, and strategic moments for change brought on by the pandemic.

  • On taking back control of this moment: “I think leveraging funding from inside the organization to fund top line growth is where companies are getting back on the offense.”
  • On how larger organizations can move quickly in this moment: “Appoint chief transformation officers, oftentimes reporting to the CEO, that have the ability to look across the organization and help make decisions quickly.”
  • “Transformation is no longer an event. Really, it needs to be an ongoing capability.”

Thank you Boston Consulting Group for sponsoring this event.

Sara Fischer, author of Media Trends
27 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Pre-bunking rises ahead of the 2020 election

Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios

Tech platforms are no longer satisfied with debunking falsehoods — now they're starting to invest in efforts that preemptively show users accurate information to help them counter falsehoods later on.

Why it matters: Experts argue that pre-bunking can be a more effective strategy for combative misinformation than fact-checking. It's also a less polarizing way to address misinformation than trying to apply judgements to posts after they've been shared.

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Kendall Baker, author of Sports
1 hour ago - Sports

Locker Room wants to reinvent how fans talk sports

Courtesy: Betty Labs

Locker Room, a social audio app where fans can talk sports and spontaneously join live conversations, launches Tuesday on the App Store.

The state of play: The company behind Locker Room, Betty Labs, has raised $9.3 million in seed funding led by Google Ventures with participation from Lightspeed Venture Partners, Axios has learned.

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