Sky has announced five winners of its Sky Zero Footprint Fund, recognising the sustainable value of chewing gum brand Milliways, reusable bottle brand Ocean Bottle, Ocean Saver cleaning products and UpCircle skincare.
The award gives businesses with a strong sustainability pitch a cut of a £2 million advertising fund, to help them harness the power of television to help promote sustainability.
Each of the businesses will receive £250,000 in media values, and will now move into advertising production.
A final stage of judging is set to take place in December, which will see the strongest pitch receive a further £750,000 worth of funding. The judging panel includes last year’s winner Serious Tissues co-founder Chris Baker, marketing consultant Michelle Carvil and Can Marketing Save the Planet podcast Rosie Arnold.
Also on the panel are Campaign Editor in Chief Gideon Spencer, AdGreen Global director Jo Fenn, Chair of Advertising Association Stephen Woodford, Sky Group Director of Bigger Picture Fiona Ball and Sky Director of Planning Sarah Jones.
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“It’s been an absolute honour to work on the Sky Zero Footprint Fund for the last two years and I’ve been so inspired by the brilliant range of applications this year too. The calibre of presentations we saw in the Footprint Fund Dragon’s Den was truly exceptional,” said Sky Media director of planning Sarah Jones.
“Thanks to our fantastic judging panel who helped to select our winners – I can’t wait to see the ads from our final five in December and to see the impact they have when they launch their campaigns.”
Sky group director of bigger picture and sustainability Fiona Ball said: “Sky uses its platforms to engage audiences on climate change and encourage steps to reduce carbon emissions.”
She added: “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 role in raising awareness of climate issues and inspiring changes in daily habits, so we look forward to seeing the 2023 winning adverts on our TV channels.”
