Major companies are turning towards advocacy after facing increased pressure to get involved in social and policy issues. According to Public Affairs Council, over 60% of the 92 companies surveyed said that they have been pressured to get involved in social issues, with 74% indicating that pressure will continue to trend up. Whether it be human rights, environmental sustainability, and education, businesses are shifting their business model to a more socially responsible one. As a whole, the world is becoming more and more data-driven. Here are three reasons why private companies should harness the power of digital advocacy:

As the early months of 2018 unfold, it’s evident that citizens are embracing their constitutionally-protected right to grassroots lobbying. Empowered citizens are giving rise to a tidal wave of political activism through marches, protests, social media movements and grassroots organizing. Just as citizen-to-citizen advocacy is undergoing dramatic transformation thanks to technology, political advocacy in the private sector is adapting to the current activist landscape as well. Companies are increasingly under pressure from consumers to engage in social policy dialogue. Here are 4 trends we expect to see shaping how companies engage in advocacy in 2018:

1. C-Suite Advocacy. Companies who embrace political engagement as a function of their social responsibility will need to approach advocacy from multiple angles. As this article in the Nonprofit Quarterly points out, CEOs are recently taking public stands on political issues - which is revolutionary. Historically, corporate political involvement has been conducted through traditional lobbying and in the halls of government. However, the changing role of advocacy - in both practice and importance - is invigorating C-suite participation in private sector activism.