Sustainable PR agency
Sustainability has become an integral part of business strategies. Companies of all shapes, sizes and industries are working on it, but they often keep it within their own walls. After all, is the public still waiting for the topic? From experience, we say: yes, definitely! In this blog, you will read exactly what sustainable PR entails and why we are so enthusiastic about sharing your sustainability ambitions. Who knows, maybe you will become the knowledge authority in your field when it comes to sustainability.
First, let's go back to basics: the definition of sustainability. For this blog, we will stick to the description of CBS What is sustainability | CBS: 'a development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the needs of future generations, both here and in other parts of the world'. With this, sustainability is broader than just 'green'. It also includes themes such as diversity, health and social balance.
Seize the opportunity
Our advice to businesses: share your plans and vision with the world – go for it! That way, they’ll get the recognition they deserve. If you do it right, communicating your sustainability ambitions provides plenty of opportunities for PR and free publicity that will give your brand a real boost.
The combination of PR and sustainability
Sustainability and PR offer a double benefit: running a successful business whilst making the world a little better, greener and more beautiful. Many consumers are drawn to sustainable companies. However, they are now setting the bar higher than they did a few years ago. Simply claiming to be sustainable is no longer enough; a donation to a charity won’t cut it. The public expects you to actually be sustainable.
One of the things that makes sustainability so wonderful is that everyone benefits when companies operate sustainably – both at an individual and a societal level. The societal benefits include, for example, being environmentally friendly, responsible and inclusive. For instance, when companies hire people who find it harder to get a job, this helps to reduce social inequality to some extent.
For consumers, the benefits include: more natural, healthier, safer and more authentic products. If your skincare products contain few or no chemical ingredients, this is better for your health. The fact that everyone has a stake in sustainability makes it a very attractive angle for PR.
How sustainable communication strengthens your brand
People increasingly expect brands and companies to take their social responsibility seriously. They therefore enjoy reading about companies with a sustainable ethos. For them, it offers a welcome change from the constant stream of negative news. Journalists are well aware of this too, and they’re certainly interested in your story. This is how you increase your social relevance, attract your target audience and strengthen your image.
To reap the benefits of sustainable communication, it is important that you respond to different motives. Broadly speaking, there is a correlation between age and someone's motivation to be involved in the topic. With sustainable PR, we therefore tailor communication to the different reasons people have for considering sustainability important or, on the contrary, having doubts about it. What does that get you specifically? For example, this:
– Authority through knowledge sharing: people see you as the company that possesses in-house expertise on sustainability. You become an authority in that field. If you share your knowledge via the right media, the message can spread quickly.
– Brand awareness: people like to choose a brand they’re familiar with. The more often you generate (positive) attention for your brand, the more familiar your brand becomes to people. As a result, they’re more likely to choose you over a (less well-known) brand.
– Reliability: People rely on your input. This means that independent news platforms will approach you to hear your expert views.
– Reputation management: negative attention is still attention, but that doesn’t apply in the case of PR. You want to avoid that. Positive publicity, on the other hand, can bring you a great deal. Thanks to (sustainable) PR, you generate positive attention.
– Making an impact: as a sustainable brand, you naturally want to make an impact. By raising awareness, encouraging action or bringing about change… that’s ultimately what you’re doing it for. PR can help you achieve your goal.
Examples of sustainable PR at Mediatic
Our client base includes an increasing number of companies with significant, clear sustainability ambitions. We handle the PR for well-known names such as Seepje (sustainable soaps), FlowerFarm (100% plant-based margarine produced without deforestation), Treemore (which sells baby trees that fit through the letterbox) and Vivera (meat alternatives). To give you an idea of what PR can do for you, we’d like to tell you about what we did for Seepje.
Seepje: champion of sustainable washing-up and cleaning products
Seepje’s objective is to get as many consumers and competitors as possible on board with its mission: to work together to further reduce the harmful impact of fossil-based cleaning and washing-up products. To achieve this, Seepje must be recognised as an expert in sustainable washing-up and cleaning products and as a champion of these products.
We did the PR activities around their playful marketing stunt to release their all-purpose cleaner recipe for free. The result: this campaign reached over six million Dutch people and 350,000 people read the in-depth interview in De Ondernemer on Benefit Corporations Certification [(to distinguish between empty promises and companies with genuine sustainability ambitions). This solidified Seepjes position as a pioneer in their market.
The role of PR in achieving your goals
PR is vital to achievingyour goals. With a strong PR plan, you can reach the right people through the right channels. Not just once, but time and time again. The power of repetition! This is how you steadily build up your authority in your field. You reach your audience in a non-commercial way through independent media. That makes your message all the more powerful.
The leading sustainable PR agency for forward-thinking organisations
At Mediatic, we provide a platform for your sustainable ideas. First, we draw up a robust PR plan – one that you can get behind, which is why we start with an in-depth introductory meeting. What do you stand for? What drives you? Which direction do you want to take? And it doesn’t stop there – we make adjustments along the way. That’s how, together, we get the most out of your PR. Through sustainable PR, we ensure that your forward-thinking message gets the attention it deserves.
Do you also want to communicate your sustainability plans, but do not yet know how?
Send us a message! Contact Thomas Bekker
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