Sky has revealed the winners of the third Sky Zero Footprint Fund, which dishes out £2m worth of advertising and is designed to showcase the power of TV advertising in tackling climate change by supporting campaigns that drive behaviour change.
The five winning brands – Grub Club (hypoallergenic insect-based dog food); Milliways (plastic free, plant powered and planet friendly gum); Ocean Bottle (B Corp certified reusable bottles); OceanSaver (ocean safe eco cleaning products); and UpCircle (natural skincare with upcycled ingredients) – were selected because of their pitch’s display to inspire change, with each one demonstrating sustainable values. Sky Zero’s pledge is to go net zero carbon by 2030 and inspire others to join the journey.
Last week, a panel of industry experts assessed live pitches from the shortlisted brands at the Thinkbox HQ in Holborn. Each brand was judged on the merits of their creativity (ability to capture the attention of the nation); impact (the potential to drive real, tangible behavioural change); and sustainable credibility (their authentic commitment as a business to tackle climate change).
Each of the winning businesses has been awarded £250,000 in media value. They will now move into ad production, ahead of a final stage of judging in December, which will see the most compelling creative securing an additional £750,000 (totalling £1m) in media value.
All five winning ads will be produced using insights, tools and learnings from AdGreen. Part of the Advertising Association, AdGreen supports the ad industry shift towards net zero, eliminating the negative environmental impacts of production.
Sky group director of the bigger picture and sustainability Fiona Ball said: “Sky uses its platforms to engage audiences on climate change and encourage steps to reduce carbon emissions. Over the last two years, the Sky Zero Footprint Fund has helped produce 10 exceptional adverts, propelling sustainable brands’ messages onto television to inspire wide, tangible behavioural change.
“Advertising can play a key role in raising awareness of climate issues and inspiring changes in daily habits, so we look forward to seeing the 2023 winners’ adverts on our TV channels.”
Last year’s winners included Serious Tissues, which scooped the top £1m prize, as well as Royal Mail and reusable period wear brand Wuka, which was recently given the all-clear by the ad watchdog despite 295 complaints that it was degrading, demeaning and likely to cause distress and offence.
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