February 2025 — Robot Love, Social-Emotional Learning and (Less) Traffic
Client Spotlight: Urban Assembly Celebrates SEL Day
Urban Assembly CEO David Adams
Mark your calendars for the fifth annual SEL Day on March 3rd! This campaign, hosted by The Urban Assembly (in partnership with CASEL, the Social Emotional Learning Alliance for the United States and Six Seconds), brings together people from all walks of life to focus on teaching the necessary skills that build stronger, more supportive individuals and communities. The Urban Assembly continues to be a key player in advocating for social-emotional learning, working to change the landscape of public education and better prepare students for the future. This year’s theme, “Skills for Success ➡ Ready for the Future,” will emphasize how SEL empowers students to navigate challenges, foster relationships and lead with confidence.
Last year, over 5,000 supporters from all 50 U.S. states and 73 countries made 6,000 commitments to uphold SEL, prompting the New York City Council to designate the second Friday in March as SEL Day, alongside proclamations in 9 additional states and a letter of support from the White House. Now is your opportunity to be part of this year’s movement – get involved at selday.org!
Thing that Works: Congestion Pricing, Seriously
London traffic Credit: Lina Kivaka
No one loves congestion pricing, the toll scheme that charges drivers entering the most crowded parts of a city at the busiest times of day. It is, after all, a fee. Here’s the thing, though — it has worked exactly as intended in every city it’s used. It raises money for mass transit. It reduces pollution, noise and trafficin city centers.
Until it came to New York City last month, its best known use has been in London, where it has existed since 2003. Depending on the time of day, the charge for entering central London was £5 to £8, but 22 years later the zone has expanded and the fee is £15 to £18. Motorists took notice. Traffic in the central city dropped by 15%, the time it took to complete a trip dropped by 30% and the fees raised $3 billion for mass transit. Some of those gains, however, have been given up as the city dedicated some roads to pedestrians or bicycles.
Although congestion pricing is new to New York and the United States, it’s been around since Singapore first instituted it 50 years ago. Other cities with it include Stockholm, Milan and Gothenburg, as well several smaller cities in Europe — almost always with the intended effect of reducing city center traffic and often air pollution. And many cities increase bridge or highway tolls during rush hours.
Early returns in Manhattan are promising, with tens of thousands fewer cars a day on the street. Things not seen since the Eisenhower administration, like on-street parking and tunnel drives that don’t require snacks, are back.
Thing We’re Into: Maybe Happy Ending
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Credit: Cordelia Gilligan
Media Strategist Cordelia Gilligan shares her cure for winter blahs:
Facing a long, dark month and an empty calendar, I purchased a cancellation ticket for Maybe Happy Endingon a Tuesday afternoon whim. I knew little about the musical beyond that it is a robot love story starring Darren Criss, but now I’m hard-pressed to think of a show more capable of defrosting a bitterly cold January.
I left absolutely charmed, in awe of the stagecraft and in need of some tissue so my tears would not freeze as soon as I stepped onto 44th Street. The musical follows two retired HelperBots in Seoul — Oliver, played by Darren Criss, and Claire, in a Broadway debut for Helen J. Shen — who “live” out the remainder of their operational days at an apartment complex for redundant robots. As they warm to each other and learn how to accommodate the other’s quirks on a road trip to Jejun, we’re treated to ironic jokes about human sensibilities and poignant reflections on mortality equally applicable to humans and robots.
But this show is as much about beginnings as it is endings (I don’t know if I’ve ever experienced a more resounding collective “awwww” at a romantic confession) and collapses the distinction between the two. At a time when innovative theater often closes in a matter of months despite great critical acclaim, Maybe Happy Ending is the rare show that is both a crowd-pleaser and a refreshing example of originality and artistry.
And the best part: there’s no intermission.
PR Tip of the Month: Be Social
“Connect with journalists through any means necessary,” advises Media Strategist Jamaal Fisher. “Emails and phone numbers aren’t the only way to reach journalists these days. Many people are often available on social media apps (X and LinkedIn in particular for journalists). Don’t be afraid to reach out and start a conversation.”