The panel will explore the design and measurement of social impact entertainment (SIE) strategies across various storytelling formats and topics, including mental health, sustainability, and democracy. It aims to demystify the effectiveness of SIE strategies, identify conditions for success, and develop equitable measurement approaches that honor the lived experiences of affected communities. Participants will engage in interactive discussions to address specific challenges, gain insights into realistic short- to medium-term outcomes, and understand the business case for authentic storytelling.

Panelists include:

• Erica Rosenthal, PhD, Director of Research at USC Norman Lear Center, a leader in the measurement of strategies leveraging entertainment for social change;
• Ksenia Korobkova, PhD, Senior Researcher at USC Norman Lear Center, lead author of the Center’s “Lights, Camera, Impact” report, and expert in media and identity;
• Melody Mohebi, PhD, Program Director at Democracy 2076, a strategist and evaluator working on democracy narratives that help people imagine a better future; and
• Rob Avruch, Director of Strategy and Practice at Harmony Labs, bridging the gap between researchers, funders, and practitioners around new models of narrative infrastructure.