At Idea Hall, we believe that good work starts with great purpose – and that every project, partnership, and moment of connection is an opportunity to make meaningful impact.
The Goodness Report shines light on the trends, stories, and events shaping our industry, our communities, and our agency. We’d love to hear your thoughts on our latest roundup of all things good!
Moments This Month
Leading the Conversation: Building A Stronger Community at the OCBC 31st Annual Economic Conference
At the 31st Annual Economic Outlook Conference, Idea Hall’s founder and CEO, Rebecca Hall, APR, took the stage in her role as Orange County Business Council Board Chair to moderate a conversation with District 3 Supervisor Don Wagner.
The dialogue spotlighted some of Orange County community’s most pressing priorities: from easing transportation congestion and improving regional mobility, to strengthening infrastructure, expanding affordable housing, and advancing public safety and emergency preparedness.
These conversations go beyond policy, they represent a shared commitment to shaping communities where people can thrive. By bringing leaders together around the table, we’re reminded that strategic communication isn’t just about dialogue, but about creation connection and moving ideas into action.
Brewing Up Good Connections At The Fulcrum Leadership Conference
This September, Idea Hall is proud to take part in the Fulcrum Nonprofit Leadership Conference in Las Vegas as the official Coffee Break Sponsor. While the sessions will spark new insights and inspire innovation, we know that some of the most meaningful moments often happen in between, when leaders connect over a cup of coffee, exchange ideas, and discover common ground.
By fueling these conversations, we’re not only keeping attendees energized but also helping create space for collaboration, partnership, and progress. Supporting nonprofit leaders in their mission to strengthen communities is at the heart of our purpose-led approach, and we’re honored to play a role in an event dedicated to shaping a stronger, more resilient future.
Learn more about the event here.
Fresh Faces at Idea Hall
We’re excited to welcome Ashley and Andy, our newest Account Managers, to the Idea Hall team! They both hit the ground running, bringing their passion for authentic storytelling, brand building, and creating meaningful connections to the work we do every day – bringing fresh perspectives and collaborative energy to our client. They’ve already made their mark by kickstarting and leading the State of the Great Park event, a major milestone for Idea Hall. With their passion for making an impact, they’re helping bring our purpose-driven mission to life every day.
When they’re not driving impact for our clients, you’ll find Ashley on the trails, snowboarding, or at the beach with her dogs, while Andy can be spotted golfing, skiing, exploring SoCal, or cheering on his favorite sports teams. We’re thrilled to have their talent and energy fueling the Hall.
Staying Ahead of The Scroll
The algorithm waits for no one – but that doesn’t mean you can’t work with it.
Instagram’s Big Updates: Reposts, Map, and Friends Tab
Instagram is moving beyond passive browsing to prioritize deeper connections. On August 6, 2025, Adam Mosseri unveiled three key updates aimed at encouraging participatory engagement:
- Reposts let users share favorite Reels and feed posts – a long-requested feature which boosts discoverability for creators and offers a personalized curation tool for users and brands alike.
- Map shows where friends last posted – via location tags – not real-time tracking, which is relevant for privacy. It’s opt-in, with parental controls and other privacy options.
- “Friends” Tab in Reels. A new “Friends” tab in Reels shows what content your friends have liked, commented on, or reposted. It also introduces interactive features like “Blends” to spark conversations and collaboration
Together, these features reflect a strategic shift: Instagram wants to be more social, less scrolling feed, fostering community and meaningful interaction with more engaging features and tools.
Pushing Boundaries? The New IG Map Stirs Controversy
The Map feature hasn’t been without backlash:
- Privacy risks: state attorneys general are pressuring Meta, citing potential dangers to kids and vulnerable users.
- Creators upset: Some report the feature activated without their knowledge, raising concerns about unintended exposure.
ICYMI – PR With Purpose: How Idea Hall Helps Brands Lead with Impact
This month’s feature article explores the true role of PR today – not as a scoreboard of headlines, but as a purpose-driven force for connection.
From shaping perception through authentic storytelling to building brand resilience in moments of change, PR executed with intention creates trust that lasts far beyond the press cycle.
Coverage is great. But connection? That’s where the real impact lives.
If you haven’t had a chance to dive in yet, we break down how organizations can use PR to lead with clarity, confidence, and purpose, and even included a quick quiz to help you assess your own PR readiness.
📖 Catch up on the full piece here.
Thanks for reading – stay good!
The Idea Hall Team