Peppercomm Introduces Laughing Matters Council to Help Businesses Harness the Power of Humor
Leaders from across the humor spectrum will focus on how organizations can use the principles of humor to improve employee well-being, inspire breakthrough ideas and promote collaboration
NEW YORK, Oct. 14, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Peppercomm, a leading strategic communications and marketing agency, today announced the launch of its new strategic advisory council of trusted experts in humor. The Laughing Matters Council brings together distinguished industry leaders with an eye for workplace culture and breakthrough thinking to guide Peppercomm and its clients in using the principles of humor to drive long-term business success.
The Stakes Have Never Been Higher
More than 45% of adults reported symptoms of anxiety or depression following the pandemic, according to the CDC. This fact has prompted organizations to shine a new spotlight on mental health and employee well-being, given their direct impact on business performance and growth. The launch of the Laughing Matters Council comes on the heels of World Mental Health Day, which is designated to raise awareness of mental health issues and mobilize efforts in support.
With the imminent "return to work," employees are expressing more stress and fear over adapting to the new normal. According to research conducted via Peppercomm's proprietary Mindset.AI dashboard, 54% of U.S. employees feel negatively about returning to the office.
Meet Laughter, the Change Agent
The past 20 months have created new challenges, sources of anxiety and friction in the workplace. The result is that traditional ways of trying to engage and motivate employees simply no longer apply. This new normal requires a new playbook, with humor as the foundational element for unlocking new ways of connecting.
"Laughter and humor in the workplace have never been more important," said Peppercomm founder and CEO Steve Cody. "Our mission is to raise awareness of humor as an incredible change agent with the help of the Council. Through humor-based training, employees can shift their perspective to one that thinks on a different wavelength, embraces change, adapts quickly, and deepens relationships by emphasizing common ground and drives growth. Plus, we could all use a good laugh these days."
Science shows that laughter creates a chemical reaction in the brain that can elevate one's mood, leading to increased productivity, reduced stress and anxiety, and so much more. The New York Times recently reported that managers with a sense of humor are more motivating and admired, their employees are more engaged and their teams are more likely to solve a creativity challenge. In fact, Stanford Business School now offers a course called "Humor: Serious Business," which teaches executive leaders and entrepreneurs how to leverage laughter for better relationships and business results. Organizations in which humor is part of the culture see increased shareholder returns of 19%.
For the past decade, Peppercomm has been using the tenets of humor to engage its own workforce and has won many culture awards along the way, most recently being named one of Crain's New York Business' Top 100 Places to Work in 2021. Peppercomm has deployed its Comedy Experience offering with dozens of organizations to help sales teams, marketing communications departments, human resources, executives and managers use humor to motivate people and encourage innovative thinking.
Working & Laughing Together
Peppercomm, in partnership with its new Laughing Matters Council, now offers three primary humor-led service offerings: Stand Up and Connect, a how-to on the tenets of comedy to bring joy and imagination back into work; Stand Up and Lead, focused on managerial leadership and growth; and Stand up and Change, a three-pronged approach to connect and catalyze stakeholders across the change journey utilizing humor, experiential learning, and branding and communications expertise to playfully challenge and authentically inspire audiences to embrace change.
Laughing Matters Council members include:
- THE ADVISOR: Clayton Fletcher
- THE NEUROHUMORIST: Karyn Buxman
- THE CULTURE GUY: David Horning
- THE PUBLICIST: Jennefer Witter
- THE IMPROVISOR: Liz Joynt Sandberg
- THE CHIEF DIVERSITY OFFICER: Carin Taylor
For Council member bios and more information, visit: https://www.peppercomm.com/laughing-matters-council/.
About Peppercomm
Peppercomm is an award-winning strategic, integrated communications and marketing agency headquartered in New York City with offices in San Francisco and London. The firm combines 26 award-winning years of expertise serving blue chip and breakout clients with forward-thinking new service offerings and the freshness of a start-up. This unique mix of experience and energy enables the firm to attract and empower teams with a creative edge, drive, and passion for promoting, protecting, and connecting clients in a fast-changing marketplace. Founded in 1995, Peppercomm has received numerous accolades, including Crain's Best Places to Work in NYC 2021, PRWeek's Best Places to Work 2020, the Agency Elite 100, SABRE Award (Integrated Campaign), PRSA Big Apple (2020, 2019 Winner Integrated Campaign), Platinum PR Awards (Media Relations), PRNews Digital Awards (CSR), and the Bulldog PR Awards (Media Relations), among others.
Media Contact
Paul Merchan, Peppercomm, +1 212.931.6172, [email protected]
SOURCE Peppercomm
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