Salesforce’s Marc Benioff Has Kicked Off New Era of Corporate Social Activism

When North Carolina passed its law in March restricting certain gay rights, Marc Benioff was ready with his rapid-deployment response.

The Salesforce.com Inc. chief executive blasted out tweets criticizing the law. He called on other CEOs to speak out and dispatched staff to work with state officials and rights groups. Under pressure from many quarters, Gov. Pat McCrory soon sought to pare the law’s scope.

It was the kind of show of force that has made Mr. Benioff a master promoter in the movement toward social activism among American chief executives, one that’s increasingly influential despite resistance from those in its focus and some disquiet from Salesforce’s investors and directors. Read full article here