Having won the $27 million worth strategic Havas media buying account of the British Oil company which has been backtracking on its intention to become a net zero emissions business by 2050, the agency has drawn to itself massive criticism, lost a client and endangered its B-corp status
Following a three month review of Shell’s global media business, Havas Media Network has secured the $27 million account. Earlier, it was WPP owned GroupM which held the account for 18 years.
This move has stirred the sentiments of many in the industry, including one short term client which as per reports has already parted ways from the agency, as the British Oil Company has been backtracking on its intention to become a net-zero emissions company by 2050.
Several critics also raise the point that this partnership is highly incompatible with the agency’s stated values and climate goals and endangers the position as well as the authenticity of two of its B-Corp agencies, Havas London and Havas New York.
In the times when agencies are doubling down on the sustainability and climate change front, this media mandate win has surely dented the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative.
Earlier in June this year, when the news of Shell calling a media review broke to the world, several climate advocacy groups sparked protests outside the offices of WPP, Dentsu, Omnicom, Interpublic Group, Havas and even Wunderman Thompson.
Speaking about the win, Charlotte Rambaud, global chief communications officer for Havas, said, “At Havas, we are invested in supporting companies through their growth and transformation journeys.”
“We are pleased to have been appointed Shell’s global strategic media buying agency and look forward to working with the Shell team to ensure consumers are better informed about the range of energy solutions it is providing today and investing in for the future,” Rambaud added.
