Can Marketing Save the Planet?

“What are you doing with your profits - are you investing it back into your people and community or the pockets of a few?” What a question? And one of many that Richard Hagan, businessman and radical and passionate sustainability champion asks businesses and leaders to reflect on in this informative and inspirational episode. When it comes to ‘radical’, by his own admission, Richard recognises tha...

“People need to understand that the embedded carbon footprint in their dining choices is actually one of the most impactful in their lives.” It’s a new year and many of us are emerging from the festive season, where food and drink takes its place centre stage in the ads we see, the conversations we have and the celebratory plans we make. January brings with it, new year resolutions to eat more hea...

“It’s critical brands consider the supply chain of their ideas.” The evidence is clear that with responsibility for 75% of carbon pollution, the fossil fuel industry is the number one cause of climate change.  Yet, following COP26 - and our increased awareness of the catastrophic impact the industry is having on the planet, the urgency to  transition to clean energy is still lacking. In this episo...

“The ultimate proof point is answering the question… who can you help people become?” In this episode we speak to the inspirational Thomas Kolster, author of The Hero Trap and Founder and Creative Director of Goodvertising. Thomas has been championing sustainability in the advertising and marketing industry for over a decade - he tells us that when he wrote his first book, Goodvertising, back in 2...

“You can’t stop what you can’t see.” In this episode we hear from Ruth Dearnley, founder and CEO of Stop the Traffik - an organisation working to prevent human trafficking globally through an innovative, intelligence-led approach. “By shining a light on this hidden crime, and by empowering communities and businesses, we can change the environment and increase the risk to the trafficker and the saf...

“A brand is a promise and a great brand is a promise kept.” In this episode Luc, Global Chief Innovation Officer, generously shares his years of experience working within Landor & Fitch, leading brand led sustainability. Luc breaks down what brand led sustainability means for businesses - bringing to light the key point, that it’s not enough for brands to simply focus on sustainability - they have...

“The role of marketing is critical. Marketing what is real rather than the image you want to create!” In this episode James really sets the record straight on just what sustainable finance is and the role finance and financial investment plays in moving us towards a sustainable future. With over 270 members within UKSIF (UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association), James leads a fast growin...

“How can we make living with less not feel like loss…? Great question… and one of many raised by Rob McFaul, co-founder of Purpose Disruptors. In this episode Rob shares how Purpose Disruptors was born and how it has rapidly grown into a collective of over 2000 people focused on holding space to ask important questions - bringing people together in the advertising industry both agency side and cli...

“Values are for living… not laminating.” It was a total pleasure to have a conversation with Alan exploring his recent book, ‘The Values Economy’ - a practical tool designed to help organisations fine tune their business to be truly values driven. For over 20 years, Alan has worked with organisations developing a values driven approach. In our podcast he shares, how he got started working in value...

In this podcast we ask Giles to share his experience around how the events industry has shifted over the past 20- years. Giles shares his experience of planning the Olympic games, which had a strong sustainability agenda - and how at that time, planners, designers, from both the events industry and the construction industry, had to work together to put sustainability at the centre of decision maki...

“Get out of your comfort zone - educate yourself to raise your head above the parapet and understand the wider issues and the interconnectedness - because once you see things … you can’t unsee them”. Dr Alex Mifsud I met Dr Alex Mifsud whilst on a Sustainable and Inclusive Leadership course at Nottingham Trent University. Her insights and knowledge further inspired my already ignited awareness, to...

When Philip Kotler signed up to our Sustainable Marketer Manifesto - we were absolutely thrilled to have his esteemed support. In his 90 years on the planet, Philip has written over 80 books - and there’s not a trained marketer that hasn’t touched at least one of his tomes. Therefore, it’s no surprise that in this episode he reflects on where marketing started - finding, winning, keeping and growi...

Catherine Weetman, award winning author, international speaker, coach, consultant, host of The Circular Economy Podcast and founder of ReThink Global - a well rounded and grounded thought-leader in all things circular economy, Catherine is fascinated by the 'sweet spot' where strategy, supply chain and sustainability come together. In this absolutely knowledge packed interview, filled with case st...

Kresse Wesling, co-founder of luxury and sustainable brand, Elvis & Kresse - a company that focuses on three things: they rescue materials, transform them into beautiful products and donate 50% of profits to charities. In this interview, Kresse shares how the brand started, back in 2005, having discovered London’s decommissioned fire-hoses were going to landfill - finding a best second life as lux...

There’s no doubt about it that whilst there’s a lot of talk, action and impetus behind the climate challenge we all face - from a scientific viewpoint, the fundamental truth is that the world is moving in the wrong direction and quickly. To slow this dangerous trajectory and turn things around, there’s a lot to do - it’s going to take some serious disruption, and there’s absolutely no room for any...

Having read Sangeeta’s latest book, Corporate Social Responsibility is Not Public Relations - we were keen to invite her to the show. Sangeeta features a number of compelling interviews in her book, with a diverse range of organisations operating around the world. We discuss the interviews that really stood out for her, memorable examples of organisations that are making great progress - and of co...

We hear a lot about ‘purpose’ - and indeed, from an advertising perspective, brands have to be super cautious about coming across as ‘greenwashing’. But purpose isn’t a new concept of course - and in this podcast, we’re joined by senior marketer Paul Frampton, to discuss the role purpose has played in marketing and advertising - and the role marketing plays in driving sustainability. Paul is the I...

John's been a marketer in 'green world' for decades. In this insight packed podcast he shares his experience and views around the many 'evil's of marketing' - and what the alternatives could look like. What if we simply ban the BS and go 'dark' - effectively, removing the 'voice'? And how do we move away from making normal things seem green, to making green things seem normal? We discuss where mar...

In this episode we’re joined by John Grant, Author and truly, the definitive ‘green marketing guy’. Having recently read John’s latest book, ‘Greener Marketing’ - we discuss a range of topics about what ‘greener marketing’ really looks like today. John’s passion for driving an environmental and green agenda stems from the start of his career in the 90’s. We discuss some of the many projects he’s e...

In this episode we’re joined by John Grant, Author and truly, the definitive ‘green marketing guy’. Having recently read John’s latest book, ‘Greener Marketing’ - we discuss a range of topics about what ‘greener marketing’ really looks like today. John’s passion for driving an environmental and green agenda stems from the start of his career in the 90’s. We discuss some of the many projects he’s e...

Whilst more organisations are starting to drive a more sustainable agenda - reporting on the impact and outcomes of those initiatives has never been more important. Consumers, employees and investors are calling for more transparency and visibility. We discuss current reporting frameworks, CSR, ESG, GRI and how organisations are working together to create a single reporting standard. No easy task...

A story in the right hands can change the way the world thinks - hence why, In this episode we're joined by storyteller extraordinaire, Jeremy Connell-Waite, who as Global Communications Designer at IBM, helps purpose-driven brands to tell more meaningful stories that impact people, profits and the planet.  Tune in as we discuss purpose, greenwashing, getting the story straight, what matters to au...

The Government has made significant commitments to meet global sustainable targets, daily we hear of a new scheme or initiative that helps the UK move towards providing solutions around climate change and a more sustainable future. But what role does local government play in supporting businesses and constituents at the coal-face (no pun intended!). In this podcast we hear first hand from Donna St...

In this episode we’re delighted to be joined by Mark Lapping, CEO of Aquapak. Positioned as a real solution to the world’s plastic crisis - Aquapak products such as  Hydropol™  are specially engineered materials that can create a range of packaging products that are specially targeted to make unrecyclable packaging fully recyclable within existing waste streams and thereby reduce the amount of ‘si...

Where to start - and what are the practical challenges facing businesses and marketing? This episode unpacks all things sustainable, as we are joined by sustainability consultant Sarah Duncan as she talks about how to approach sustainability and provides us with great insights and practical takeaways. We also talk candidly about the role marketing has played in driving unsustainable behaviours and...