THE NEXT ECONOMY -
Going “circular” refers to the change from our current take-make-waste linear economy to a borrow-use-return circular economy, also known under the banners of ‘zero-waste’ and ‘cradle-to-cradle.’ The concept has sparked a movement among companies, governments, NGOs, and
WASTE NOT -
On foot, by bicycle, through water and combinations of the above, distance races such as marathons and ocean races are a global phenomenon. Running and cycling races have become a big business in recent years, due to the opportunity for sponsorship and the brand affinity that comes with it.
PRESS RELEASE -
Robert A. Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company, today announced an innovative plan to dedicate more than $100 million in company resources, including cash, products and services, to reinvent the patient and family experience in children’s hospitals across the globe. This initiative will roll out over five years, expanding the Company’s rich legacy of supporting children’s hospitals, which dates back to Walt Disney.
CHEMISTRY, MATERIALS & PACKAGING -
Single-use plastics continue to lose their appeal as the global community rallies around the concept of a circular economy. The UK, in particular, is taking the lead, setting a new standard for both the public and private sector, while food and beverage giant Nestlé is helping ease the transition away from a take-make-dispose model.
MARKETING AND COMMS -
Building on the success of its “Good Odds” spots released during the Super Bowl, in which it highlighted the real-life story of Canadian Para-alpine skier Lauren Woolstencroft, auto giant Toyota has released a new ad campaign “Start Your Impossible” for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018.
CLEANTECH -
Sustainable isn’t a word often used to describe the cruise industry, which has historically received less than stellar grades for its environmental performance (although there have been signs of improvement). But Peace Boat, an NGO working to promote peace, human rights, sustainable development and respect for the environment, has unveiled a new ship worthy of the descriptor.
MARKETING AND COMMS -
The food industry is in transition, with new technologies, programs and initiatives targeting everything from food waste to resource efficiency and traceability emerging almost daily to nudge the sector towards greater sustainability. Though symbols of progress, these advancements are just a drop in the ocean. Many consumers are still unaware of the issues affecting the global food system, which poses a considerable challenge to progress.
LEADERSHIP -
Volvo Ocean Race (VOR) is considered one of the longest and toughest professional sporting events in the world; sailing’s toughest team challenge and one of the sport’s Big Three events, alongside the Olympics and the America’s Cup.
WALKING THE TALK -
Liverpool Football Club’s latest sponsorship deal, with Tibet Water Resources Limited — a company committing ongoing human rights and environmental atrocities in the region — is a case example of the kind of partnership brands just cannot make in today's world if they are striving for sustainability.
This matters because England-based Liverpool FC is a widely recognized sports brand. According to Forbes, the team is worth $1.49 billion, making it the eighth most valuable soccer club in the world.
BUSINESS CASE -
Swarmed by a crowd of cross-country ski fans all under the age of 12, I felt like I’d just won my first World Cup. In the beginning, I wanted to be a soccer star. I, along with most of the girls my age, idolized Mia Hamm and tried desperately to snag the #9 jersey on every single one of my teams. By high school, however, I realized that my future on the field looked grim. I made the soccer team as a freshman but not because I could bend it like Beckham – I simply ran more than anyone else on the field. By sophomore year, I turned my full attention to cross-country skiing, a sport that better suited to my somewhat uncoordinated long limbs, my love of the outdoors and my seemingly endless supply of energy.
WALKING THE TALK -
Athletes previously inactive in the climbing community are now looking at more widespread climbing and adventure opportunities, thanks to new sponsorship from The North Face. The outdoor apparel retailer has teamed up with the non-profit Paradox Sports to expand access to indoor climbing facilities for para-athletes across the United States.
PRESS RELEASE -
We all say we want to do more “good” these days. And our consumers have a proven desire to support campaigns that do so. Heineken®, the beer that’s enjoyed in the most cities globally, is again supporting innovative local projects around the nation through our “Cities” program – which aims to make a positive and lasting impact on some of the best cities in America. (Last year’s campaign to save Miami Marine Stadium successfully led to the City of Miami approving a $45 million restoration budget!) This year we’ve found the perfect partnership with the Bruno Mars 24K Magic World Tour – which will offer fans sold-out concert tickets for supporting resourceful local projects.
PRESS RELEASE -
In an effort to engage soccer fans in the mission of recycling, HEINEKEN USA is teaming up with The Recycling Partnership for the second year in a row at two matches of the International Champions Cup. Fans aged 21+ are encouraged to visit the Heineken® beer gardens before the match for a chance to win prizes and pitch in to help green the future.
PRESS RELEASE -
People, Planet, Play is Caesars Entertainment’s commitment to our communities, environmental excellence and Responsible Gaming.
PRESS RELEASE -
The first-ever international Equality Institute promoting LGBT workplace equality in London was held July 6 and led by The Walt Disney Company, Out & Equal Workplace Advocates and Sodexo.
More than 200 representatives from 100 companies in the U.K. and other countries attended the one-day workshop to learn and share best practices for LGBT workplace equality. Disney hosted the first Equality Institute in 2015 in Orlando, Florida. The London institute marks the first international event.
MARKETING AND COMMS -
Netflix has become somewhat of a cultural phenomenon, quickly emerging as an essential for Gen Z, Millennials and Baby Boomers alike. While shows such as "House of Cards" and "Thirteen Reasons Why" are the entertainment hub’s bread and butter, Netflix is now hoping to leverage its influence to turn viewers’ attention towards critical environmental and social issues. The network has signed on two new films that seek to bring the issues surrounding climate change and GMOs to the mainstream.
COLLABORATION -
Following the filing of two multi-million dollar lawsuits by Canadian pulp and paper manufacturer Resolute Forest Products to silence Greenpeace’s criticism of its controversial logging in the boreal forest, 100 authors and thought leaders, including Margaret Atwood, Michelle Alexander, John Maxwell Coetzee, Stephen Fry, Naomi Klein and Yann Martel — have signed the environmental NGO’s pledge to support free speech and stand up for forests.
PRESS RELEASE -
Discover the 5 step-win for sustainable sporting events infographics.
MARKETING AND COMMS -
Originally released at the opening of COP21 in November 2015, environmental documentary Tomorrow is being released in the US on April 21 in celebration of Earth Day (April 22).
NEW METRICS -
While the fashion, food, auto and energy industries are held to high sustainability standards, television tends to fly under the radar. But environmental sustainability is an important issue to networks and producers across the globe. Sky was the first broadcaster to fully embed the Albert carbon calculator tool for screen art production into its commissioning process, and now the BBC is moving forward with plans to employ the scheme across its programming.