Five brands have been announced as winners of the £2 million sustainable advertising initiative from Sky Zero Footprint Fund: Ecosia, Homethings, Royal Mail, Serious Tissues, and WUKA.
The winners were selected by a judging panel to win £250,000 each in media value, which Sky says will help to fast-track their sustainable initiatives.
Established by Sky, it says the Sky Zero Footprint Fund supports brands committed to a more sustainable future by helping to amplify their positive environmental messages using the power of TV and advertising.
Sky says the campaign champions the adoption of tangible steps towards a sustainable future. The company says the five winning brands were selected because of their pitch’s display to inspire change, with each one demonstrating sustainable values that align with Sky’s own, such as Sky Zero‘s pledge to go net zero carbon by 2030 and inspire others to join the journey.
It’s exciting to see this year, yet again, so many inspiring brands are committed to making a difference.
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 a total of £1 million in media value.
Sky says a panel of respected industry experts, with credentials in advertising, creativity and sustainability, assessed 15 live pitches from the shortlisted brands on Wednesday 10th August at the Thinkbox headquarters in Chancery Lane.
Sky says that each brand was judged on the merit of its 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 improve future sustainability).
Each of the winning brands from this year’s Sky Zero Footprint Fund delivers a critical message that aligns with ours; that sustainable can be attainable.
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.
Group Director of the Bigger Picture at Sky, Fiona Ball, said: “Last year, the Sky Zero Footprint Fund resulted in five great adverts and brought disruptive brands to TV for the first time. It’s exciting to see this year, yet again, so many inspiring brands are committed to making a difference.
“Each of the winning brands from this year’s Sky Zero Footprint Fund delivers a critical message that aligns with ours; that sustainable can be attainable. And, with the opportunity to use the power of TV advertising, this message is amplified, ultimately driving positive change.”