B Lab is a nonprofit organization dedicated to using the power of business to solve social and environmental problems.
©Copyright 2012 B Lab. All rights reservedAbout OneSeventeen Media
Proud to be Texas’ first B Corp, OneSeventeen Media, Inc. uses the power of social media tools to help today’s tech savvy kids navigate their growing up years in a respectful, responsible and confident way.
The OneSeventeen Media team demonstrates they are a uniquely experienced social venture company with a fresh, yet proven, sustainable business model that focuses on two key points: 1) balancing social purpose with sound, profit-driven business principals; and 2) leveraging public private partnerships with other like-minded youth-focused organizations.
OneSeventeen Media became a B Corporation for several reasons. First, we were looking for a like-minded community of individuals and companies who set, and met, high standards for social and environmental performance and accountability. Second, we have a paradigm-shifting product in PlumbBrain, and we want to associate with other companies who have set out to change the world. Third, we are inspired by organizations that do not hesitate to change the rules when they are no longer effective.
The company’s core intellectual property is the PlumbBrain social network for teens + tweens. It fills a growing gap in the market place with a new genre of social learning community. PlumbBrain provides “a place for them to grow versus just another place for them to go.”
The Change We Seek®
We know kids are smart, savvy technology users. We provide relevant social media tools to help them navigate their world in a respectful, responsible and confident way to become successful, productive global citizens.
Here are two examples of tools OneSeventeen Media has created to catapult relevant social change:
(1) KidThrive.org – Committed to seeing their social mission’s commitment flourish in a tangible way, the OneSeventeen Media co-founders created sister organization KidThrive.org as the essential non-profit part of their hybrid organization’s DNA. Through KidThrive, they have established the impetus to research the most effective tools to help teens + tweens navigate their world.
(2) BrdsNBz Text Messaging Service – In 2009, OneSeventeen Media created a successful public private partnership with The Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Campaign of North Carolina. Through that relationship, they have worked collaboratively to create an opportunity for other cities and states to license APPCNC’s BrdsNBz award winning sex education text messaging service.
OneSeventeen Media
- Industry: Online Community
- Product/Services: Tween Educational Social Networking Site
- Location: Houston, TX
- Ownership: Private
- http://www.oneseventeenmedia.com/
Summary:
Certified: February 2009| Points Earned | % Points Available | |
|---|---|---|
| Accountability » | 9 | 90% |
| Employees » | 25.8 | 57% |
| Consumers » | 26.4 | 59% |
| Community » | 36.6 | 56% |
| Environment » | 10.4 | 52% |
| Composite B Score | 108.2 |
- >80 out of 200 is eligible for certification
- >60% points available = Area of excellence
Highlights:
From B Impact AssessmentEnvironment: 4% renewable energy; % renewables increased annually; Facilities located near public transit
Employees: Living wage paid to all employees; >80% of employee health insurance costs covered; Provides feedback to employees several times annually including social and environmental goals
Community: >60% of purchases from local suppliers; 100% women-owned business; Partnership with its own non-profit, KidThrive.org
Consumers: 78% of services are directed towards providing an educational and social community for teens and tweens