Publicis Groupe

Background

Publicis Groupe is a French advertising and public relations holding company headquartered in Paris. It is one of the largest communications groups in the world and operates in 100 countries with over 100,000 employees.1About Publicis Groupe,” Publicis Groupe, Accessed January 2024. Archived October 30, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/Ju803 Its subsidiaries, including Leo Burnett, Kekst CNC, Carré Noir, DPZ, and Saatchi & Saatchi, have worked for fossil fuel clients such as TotalEnergies,2[Press Release]. “Third Quarter 2023 Revenue,” page 8, Publicis Groupe, October 12, 2023. Archived January 29, 2024. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. Petrobras, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, and Enbridge. 

TotalEnergies Rebrand

Carré Noir created this video ad for TotalEnergies. Source: TotalEnergies YouTube account

Publicis subsidiary Carré Noir helped relaunch the oil and gas giant Total as TotalEnergies in 2021.3TotalEnergies,Carré Noir, 2021. Archived June 8, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/UBAT1 Carré Noir designed a new logo and branding campaign4Mais quel foutage de gueule ! #TotalEnergies,” @Tapav_tours X Account, June 3, 2021. Archived January 26, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/c6JF0 for TotalEnergies, which focused on its renewable energy investments.52021 Design: TOTAL BECOMES TOTALENERGIES,Eurobest, 2021. Archived October 1, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/x8Ugj In 2022, Carré Noir won two Transform Awards6Transform Awards Europe 2022 winners announced,Transform, March 30, 2022. Archived November 24, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/IvZq3 and a Top/Com Corporate Business award for the rebranding campaign.7Top/Com Grand Prix 2022 Corporate Business,” Top/Com, April 14, 2022. Archived June 2, 2023. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. Though TotalEnergies said it rebranded to highlight its new ambition to become a leader in the energy transition, it still planned for fossil fuels to make up at least 80 percent of its business by 2030.8Our 2030 targets towards carbon neutrality in 2050,” TotalEnergies, September 2021. Archived May 26, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.is/8Ccg5

Carré Noir created the video ad above, with the voiceover: “So today, to contribute to the sustainable development of the planet facing the climate challenge, we are moving forward — together — towards new energies.” The voiceover later says, “Our ambition is to become a world-class leader in the energy transition. That is why Total is becoming TotalEnergies.9Total becomes TotalEnergies – TotalEnergies – Carré Noir – Design agency,” La Reclame, January 11, 2023. Archived February 1, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/T0GtV

In March 2022, Greenpeace France, Friends of the Earth France, Notre Affaire à Tous, and Client Earth filed a lawsuit in France against TotalEnergies for misleading consumers through this rebranding campaign.10Simon Jessop, Gloria Dickie and Benjamin Mallet. “Environmental groups sue TotalEnergies over climate marketing claims,” Reuters, March 2, 2022. Archived July July 28, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.is/01aUU The environmental groups alleged that TotalEnergies broke European consumer law by advertising that it could reach net zero emissions by 2050 while continuing to expand fossil fuel production.

Saatchi & Saatchi’s work for Enel

In 2003, Saatchi & Saatchi, a subsidiary of Publicis, began working with Enel, the Italian gas and electricity company.11Lindsey Stein. “Saatchi & Saatchi Italy retains and expands global work for energy giant Enel,” Campaign US, March 26, 2020. Archived October 18, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.is/HKFji In 2023, Enel reconfirmed Saatchi & Saatchi as its global creative agency. Saatchi & Saatchi handles Enel’s advertising and public relations in Italy, Spain, Portugal, Peru, Romania, Colombia, and Chile.12Lindsey Stein. “Saatchi & Saatchi Italy retains and expands global work for energy giant Enel,” Campaign US, March 26, 2020. Archived October 18, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.is/HKFji As early as 2005, Saatchi & Saatchi sought to position Enel as a leader in renewable energy production.13ENEL: Saatchi & Saatchi, Rome,” Lürzer’s Archive, 2005. Archived February 9, 2024. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. When Saatchi & Saatchi ran an ad campaign in 2005 with the tagline “Enel. Leader in supplying renewable energy,” Enel sourced less than a third of its electricity from renewable energy.142009 Sustainability Report p. 46,Enel, 2009. Archived June 26, 2020. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.

Saatchi & Saatchi created this ad for the Italian power company Enel
A 2005 ad created by Saatchi & Saatchi for Enel.15ENEL: Saatchi & Saatchi, Rome,” Lürzer’s Archive, 2005. Archived February 9, 2024. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.

Stance on Climate Change

Clean Creatives created this poster, which calls out Publicis' work for fossil fuel clients
Clean Creatives distributed these posters around New York City in September 2023. Source: Clean Creatives X Account

In 2021, Publicis Groupe committed to net-zero carbon emissions before 2030.16Environment,” Publicis Groupe, January 2024. Archived June 18, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.is/JIyyt Clean Creatives, a campaign to pressure the advertising industry to stop working with fossil fuel companies, has criticized17Yesterday we launched the #FList2023, and today we’re sharing a collection of posters targeted at #NewYorkers who work at the major #advertising holding co’s with the intention of bringing attention to the wild weather NYC had this past June,” Clean Creatives X Account, September 20, 2023. Archived January 29, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/BbLHT Publicis Groupe’s work for fossil fuel clients on its annual “F List.”18THE F-LIST 2023,Clean Creatives, September 2023. Archived January 5, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/kCbeA

Funding

In 2023, Publicis made $1.4 billion in revenue (1.3 billion euros).19Stephen Lepitak. “High Flying Publicis Groupe Reveals Its Latest Evolution With CoreAI Centralization,” Adweek, January 24, 2024. Archived February 8, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/1XV1Z In October 2023, Publicis announced that 4 percent of its revenue from the previous nine months came from clients in the energy and manufacturing sectors.20[Press Release]. “Third Quarter 2023 Revenue,” page 5, Publicis Groupe, October 12, 2023. Archived January 29, 2024. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog

Select Fossil Fuel Clients

YearRegionClientPublicis SubsidiaryCitation
2024UKTotalEnergiesPublicis 21Publicis Sport & Entertainment,” Publicis Group UK, 2024. Archived June 15, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/3PEho
2024UKOvo EnergySaatchi & Saatchi22OVO launches ‘The Energy Forecast’ as Euston Motion+’s first campaign,” Ovo Energy, January 22, 2024. Archived January 26, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/PjQXU
2023IndiaAdani GroupKekst CNC23Kevin McCauley. “Kekst CNC Goes to Work for Besieged Adani Group,” O’Dwyers PR, February 13, 2023. Archived February 13, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/L73I0
2023North AmericaEnbridgeLeo Burnett24Creative Report Card 2023: Agencies: Leo Burnett,” Strategy, 2023. Archived January 25, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/jTCIV
2023ThailandPTGLeo Burnett25PT: The Fuel Delivery,” Clio Awards, 2023. Archived June 7, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/zpMVe
2023MENAAramcoPublicis 26Saudi Arabia Report 2023,” p. 51, Campaign via Issuu, May 30, 2023. Archived May 31, 2023. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. 
2023MENATotalEnergiesPublicis27Saudi Arabia Report 2023,” p. 51, Campaign via Issuu, May 30, 2023. Archived May 31, 2023. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. 
2023MENAADNOCPublicis Sapient28Saudi Arabia Report 2023,” p. 52, Campaign via Issuu, May 30, 2023. Archived May 31, 2023. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. 
2023EuropeTotalEnergiesPublicis29[Press Release]. “Third Quarter 2023 Revenue,” Publicis Groupe, October 12, 2023. Archived January 29, 2024. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.
2023UKOvo EnergySaatchi & Saatchi30OVO APPOINTS SAATCHI & SAATCHI TO SUPERCHARGE PLAN ZERO STRATEGY,” Saatchi & Saatchi, April 2023. Archived July 16, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/jvQTG
2023ItalyEnelSaatchi & Saatchi31“The Wonderful Armada,” Ads of the World, June 2023. Archived September 25, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/9IRp3
2023BrazilComgás Publicis32[Press Release]. “Third Quarter 2023 Revenue,” Publicis Groupe, October 12, 2023. Archived January 29, 2024. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.
2022BrazilPetrobrasDPZ33Bárbara Sacchitiello. “DPZ&T resgata origens e volta a usar a marca DPZ,” Meio e Mensagem, July 2022. Archived December 4, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/MvqGk
2022North AmericaEnbridgeLeo Burnett34Chris Powell. “Enbridge is crowing about its commitment to cleaner energy,” The Message in association with Campaign, August 23, 2022. Archived January 23, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/WyGok
2022MENAAramcoMSL Group35“Agency: MSL Group ME,” Campaign Middle East, Archived August 28, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/2hPEm
2022GlobalTotalEnergiesPublicis362023 Annual Shareholder’s Meeting: SN#70 The Shareholders’ Newsletter Spring 2023,” TotalEnergies, Spring 2023. Archived May 29, 2023. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. 
2022FranceEngiePublicis Conseil37Engie – “No Energy To Waste,” Ad Forum, 2022. Archived January 26, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/BtqGZ
2022AustraliaAmpolSaatchi & Saatchi38Ricki Green. “AMPOL LAUNCHES NEW ‘POWERING OUR WAY OF LIFE’ CAMPAIGN VIA SAATCHI & SAATCHI AND IPROSPECT,” Campaign Brief, July 11, 2022. Archived January 10, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/WdIMq
2022ItalyEnelSaatchi & Saatchi39[Press Release.] “FOR ENEL #IFATTICONTANO (#FIGURESCOUNT): THE ENERGY TRANSITION IN ITALY DESCRIBED IN NUMBERS,” Enel, July 26, 2022. Archived January 27, 2024. Archive .pdf available at DeSmog. 
2021BrazilPetrobrasDPZ40Fábio Couto and Francisco Góes. “CEO takes over Petrobras with eye on board election,” Valor International, June 28, 2022. Archived June 8, 2023.
2021MENAAramcoDigitas41Sofia Serrano. “MENA Digital Awards honours a series of transformative campaigns,” Campaign Middle East, January 26, 2021. Archived March 26, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/TxTfL
2021GlobalTotalEnergiesCarre Noir42Deciphering Total’s new faded logo, becoming TotalEnergies,” Graphene, June 2, 2021. Archived September 26, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/D0Dau
2021FranceEngiePublicis Conseil43Discours Vert – ENGIE – Publicis Conseil – agence Publicité / communication / 360,” La Reclame, November 18, 2021. Archived December 1, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.is/6RDOt
2021EuropePGEPublicis Poland44PGE wybiera agencje kreatywne do dwuletniej współpracy,” Wirtual Nemedia, June 23, 2023. Archived October 5, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/zpnBB
2021AustraliaAmpolSaatchi & Saatchi45Ricki Green. “AMPOL HELPS THE NATION TRAVEL ‘FAR AND WIDE’ IN NEW CAMPAIGN VIA SAATCHI & SAATCHI + IPROSPECT,” Campaign Brief, April 21, 2021. Archived January 10, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/Bpr2j
2021ItalyEnelSaatchi & Saatchi46Catarina Varpi. “ENEL ENERGIA VA ON AIR CON LO SPOT “SCEGLI OGGI”. FIRMA SAATCHI & SAATCHI,” Engage, October 4, 2021. Archived October 4, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/29wyN
2020BrazilPetrobrasDPZ47Fábio Couto and Francisco Góes. “CEO takes over Petrobras with eye on board election,” Valor International, June 28, 2022. Archived June 8, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/Siqpp
2020ThailandPTGLeo Burnett48PT: Fresh,” Ads of the World, March 2020. Archived January 25, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/CdhpR
2020GlobalEnelSaatchi & Saatchi49Lindsey Stein. “Saatchi & Saatchi Italy retains and expands global work for energy giant Enel,” Campaign US, March 26, 2020. Archived October 18, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.is/HKFji
2019BrazilPetrobrasDPZ50Fábio Couto and Francisco Góes. “CEO takes over Petrobras with eye on board election,” Valor International, June 28, 2022. Archived June 8, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/Siqpp
2019IndiaHindustan Petroleum Company LimitedLeo Burnett51HP Lubricants – Roads That Honk, initiative to minimize fatal accidents,” Campaigns of the World, April 3, 2019. Archived January 25, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/6QPLt
2019GlobalEnelSaatchi & Saatchi52Lindsey Stein. “Saatchi & Saatchi Italy retains and expands global work for energy giant Enel,” Campaign US, March 26, 2020. Archived October 18, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.is/HKFji
2018BrazilPetrobrasDPZ53DPZ: Jornada,” Meio e MensagemDecember 2018Archived January 23, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/bkWFi
2018FranceEngiePublicis Conseil54Engie Heliatek,” Clio Awards, 2018. Archived January 26, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/Xlyss
2018GlobalEnelSaatchi & Saatchi55Take a Futuristic Tour Through ENEL’s Energy Business in First Global Campaign,” Little Black Book Online, March 28, 2018. Archive December 6, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.is/VtQAU
2017BrazilPetrobrasDPZ56DPZ&T returns to Rio after winning Petrobras advertising account,” O Globo, August 8, 2017. Archived October 16, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.is/SuQzx
2017North AmericaEnbridgeLeo Burnett57Merit 2017 Graphic Design: Enbridge Safety Report to the Community,” Advertising & Design Club of Canada, 2017. Archived February 12, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/kc62C
2017IndiaHindustan Petroleum Company LimitedLeo Burnett58Power to Thrill,” ET Brand Equity, November 6, 2017. Archived January 25, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/MQfOt
2017FranceEngiePublicis Conseil59ENGIE et Publicis Conseil font campagne sur le thème du déménagement,” L’ADN, June 12, 2017. Archived January 29, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/r19da
2017GlobalEnelSaatchi & Saatchi60Enel: Door,” Ads of the World, March 2017. Archived September 28, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.is/j5WAN
2016GlobalEnelSaatchi & Saatchi61Lindsey Stein. “Saatchi & Saatchi Italy retains and expands global work for energy giant Enel,” Campaign US, March 26, 2020. Archived October 18, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.is/HKFji
2015North AmericaEnbridgeLeo Burnett62Harmeet Singh. “AOY Gold: Leo Burnett’s winning vision,” Strategy, November 4, 2015. Archived January 24, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/Sn5Pc
2015IndiaHindustan Petroleum Company LimitedLeo Burnett63Leo Burnett retains HPCL’s creative biz,” ET Brand Equity, 2015. Archived August 17, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.is/JfDZa
2015FranceEngiePublicis Conseil64ENGIE’s New Advertising Campaign: from the name change to a gateway of solutions” Engie, September 25, 2015. Archived March 27, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.is/erz2r
2015GlobalEnelSaatchi & Saatchi65Saatchi & Saatchi Wins Power Company Enel Pitch,” Little Black Book Online, July 15, 2015. Archived July 17, 2017. Archive URL: https://archive.is/PF9L7
2014North AmericaEnbridgeLeo Burnett66Enbridge Safety Report 2014,” Leo Burnett Design, 2014. Archived January 17, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/Wqzco
2014IndiaHindustan Petroleum Company LimitedLeo Burnett67Leo Burnett retains HPCL’s creative biz,” ET Brand Equity, 2015. Archived August 17, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.is/JfDZa
2014GlobalTotalEnergiesPublicis Conseil68[Press Release]. “New brand baseline and global corporate advertising campaign for Total,” TotalEnergies, September 30, 2014. Archived October 20, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/zTS7l
2014GlobalEnelSaatchi & Saatchi69Saatchi & Saatchi Wins Power Company Enel Pitch,” Little Black Book Online, July 15, 2015. Archived July 17, 2017. Archive URL: https://archive.is/PF9L7
2013IndiaHindustan Petroleum Company LimitedLeo Burnett70Leo Burnett retains HPCL’s creative biz,” ET Brand Equity, 2015. Archived August 17, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.is/JfDZa
2013ThailandPTGLeo Burnett71PTG appoints Leo Burnett to oversee brand communications,” The Nation, March 6, 2013. Archived February 12, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/PJ72W
2013GlobalTotalEnergiesPublicis Conseil72[Press Release]. “Communications agency competition: Total chooses Publicis Conseil for Corporate and BETC for Marketing & Services,” TotalEnergies, May 31, 2023. Archived January 26, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/XURQo
2013GlobalEnelSaatchi & Saatchi73Saatchi & Saatchi Wins Power Company Enel Pitch,” Little Black Book Online, July 15, 2015. Archived July 17, 2017. Archive URL: https://archive.is/PF9L7
2012IndiaHindustan Petroleum Company LimitedLeo Burnett74Leo Burnett retains HPCL’s creative biz,” ET Brand Equity, 2015. Archived August 17, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.is/JfDZa
2012EuropeEnelSaatchi & Saatchi75Christina Blanaru. “Saatchi & Saatchi launched a campaign for Enel, to promote online invoices,” Adhugger, March 19, 2012. Archived September 25, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/d3pbH
2011IndiaHindustan Petroleum Company LimitedLeo Burnett76Leo Burnett retains HPCL’s creative biz,” ET Brand Equity, 2015. Archived August 17, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.is/JfDZa
2011ItalyEnelSaatchi & Saatchi77Saatchi & Saatchi Wins Power Company Enel Pitch,” Little Black Book Online, July 15, 2015. Archived July 17, 2017. Archive URL: https://archive.is/PF9L7
2010IndiaHindustan Petroleum Company LimitedLeo Burnett78Leo Burnett retains HPCL’s creative biz,” ET Brand Equity, 2015. Archived August 17, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.is/JfDZa
2010ItalyEnelSaatchi & Saatchi79Saatchi & Saatchi Wins Power Company Enel Pitch,” Little Black Book Online, July 15, 2015. Archived July 17, 2017. Archive URL: https://archive.is/PF9L7
2009IndiaHindustan Petroleum Company LimitedLeo Burnett80Leo Burnett retains HPCL’s creative biz,” ET Brand Equity, 2015. Archived August 17, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.is/JfDZa
2009ItalyEnelSaatchi & Saatchi81Saatchi & Saatchi Wins Power Company Enel Pitch,” Little Black Book Online, July 15, 2015. Archived July 17, 2017. Archive URL: https://archive.is/PF9L7
2008IndiaHindustan Petroleum Company LimitedLeo Burnett82Leo Burnett retains HPCL’s creative biz,” ET Brand Equity, 2015. Archived August 17, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.is/JfDZa
2008ItalyEnelSaatchi & Saatchi83Enel Radio SHOWER by Saatchi & Saatchi Rome,” Ads Spot, October 2008.  Archived January 27, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/rnXGJ
2007ItalyEnelSaatchi & Saatchi84Saatchi & Saatchi Wins Power Company Enel Pitch,” Little Black Book Online, July 15, 2015. Archived July 17, 2017. Archive URL: https://archive.is/PF9L7
2006ItalyEnelSaatchi & Saatchi85Saatchi & Saatchi Wins Power Company Enel Pitch,” Little Black Book Online, July 15, 2015. Archived July 17, 2017. Archive URL: https://archive.is/PF9L7
2005ItalyEnelSaatchi & Saatchi86ENEL: Saatchi & Saatchi, Rome,” Lürzer’s Archive, 2005. Archived February 9, 2024. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. 
2004ItalyEnelSaatchi & Saatchi87Saatchi & Saatchi Wins Power Company Enel Pitch,” Little Black Book Online, July 15, 2015. Archived July 17, 2017. Archive URL: https://archive.is/PF9L7
2003ItalyEnelSaatchi & Saatchi88[Press Release]. “PUBLICIS GROUPE ANNOUNCES EXCEPTIONAL 2003 PERFORMANCE,” Publicis Group, March 9, 2004. Archived December 9, 2021.

Publicis Supervisory Board

Actions

November 10, 2023892023 CMA Awards,” Canadian Marketing Association, November 10, 2023. Archived February 9, 2024. Archived URL: https://archive.ph/mTIE6

Leo Burnett Toronto won a gold award in branding from the Canadian Marketing Association for its “Tomorrow is On” campaign for Enbridge.90Dave Ford. “2023 CMA Awards, And The Winners Are….” Profectio, November 21, 2023. Archived November 30, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/l03Lg 

Image: Leo Burnett created this ad for Enbridge, which ran on Facebook and Instagram in November and December 2022.91Enbridge. “Library ID: 1539371116502000,” Facebook Ad Library, November 23, 2022 – December 17, 2022. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.

February 2023

Indian conglomerate Adani Group hired Publicis subsidiary Kekst CNC to provide crisis support after Hindenburg Research accused Adani of stock market manipulation and accounting fraud.92Kekst CNC Goes to Work for Besieged Adani Group,” O’Dwyers PR, February 13, 2023. Archived February 13, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/L73I0 Adani Group denied all misconduct allegations but reportedly lost up to $150 billion of its market value in the weeks after Hindenburg Research’s January 24 report was published.93Chloe Cornish and Hudson Lockett. “Adani stocks regain half of losses from Hindenburg report fallout,” Financial Times, January 2, 2024. Archived January 2, 2024. Archive URL:  ​​https://archive.ph/R1TZe

In 2023, the Adani Group was the world’s largest private coal mine developer94The 2023 Global Coal Exit List: Failing the Phase-Out,” Urgewald, October 19, 2023. Archived January 23, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/3TVuO and operated one-fifth of India’s power transmission lines.95The humbling of Gautam Adani is a test for Indian capitalism,” The Economist, February 9, 2023. Archived February 13, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.vn/7hwu5 A December 2022 investigation by The Washington Post found that “on at least three occasions, according to officials and documents, the government revised laws to help Adani’s coal-related businesses and save him at least $1 billion.”96Gerry Shih, Niha Masih and Anant Gupta. “How political will often favors a coal billionaire and his dirty fossil fuel,” The Washington Post, December 9, 2022. Archived March 7, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/xVDCn

June 202297Enbridge. “With renewables projected to be the world’s fastest-growing energy source for decades, our commitment to creating a cleaner energy future is unwavering,” Enbridge Facebook Account, June 1, 2022. Archived .png available at DeSmog.

Leo Burnett created this ad for Enbridge
Leo Burnett created this ad for Enbridge, which ran in POLITICO on March 7, 2023. Source: Media Radar

Publicis subsidiary Leo Burnett Toronto created and launched the “Tomorrow is On” campaign for Enbridge, a pipeline and gas company based in Canada.98Enbridge- Tomorrow Is On,” Leo Burnett Canada, 2022. Archived January 16, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/lSWbt The campaign advertised Enbridge’s investments in renewable energy and ran ads in Canada and the U.S.99Chris Powell. “Enbridge is crowing about its commitment to cleaner energy,” The Message in association with Campaign, August 23, 2022. Archived January 23, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/WyGok The campaign included digital, print, radio, and TV ads, some of which highlighted Enbridge’s investments in “renewable natural gas” and hydrogen as “low carbon solutions.” 

While the campaign was running, Enbridge spent about $1.16 million on print advertisements in the United States, as estimated by marketing intelligence service Media Radar.100“Enbridge Inc. Media Mix; June 1, 2022 – December 31, 2023,” Media Radar, January 24, 2024. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. A DeSmog analysis of Facebook’s ad library found that Enbridge spent between $1.97 and $2.37 million on Facebook and Instagram for the “Tomorrow is On” campaign in the U.S. and spent up to CA$50,500 in Canada from June 2022 to December 2023. 

In a press release announcing the “Tomorrow is On” campaign, Enbridge said modernizing its Line 5 pipeline was key to a net zero future.101 [Press release]. “New commercial features unlikely star,” Enbridge, July 6, 2022. Archived January 24, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/qgrwB Environmental groups and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer have called for the shutdown of Line 5, which carries gas from Wisconsin to Canada through a Michigan waterway connecting two of the Great Lakes.102Leanna Hosea. “Why Michigan is trying to shut down Canada’s Enbridge Line 5 pipeline,” BBC, January 14, 2023. Archived December 28, 2023. Archived URL: https://archive.is/vrjeB Whitmer said a potential oil spill from the aging Line 5 pipeline posed an “unreasonable risk” to the Great Lakes.

June 25, 2022

The new CEO of Brazil’s state-owned oil company Petrobras convened advertising executives to inquire about Petrobras’ ballooning advertising costs. Publicis subsidiary DPZ and Worldwide Partners agency Propeg were handling Petrobras’ advertising account in 2021 when advertising spending rose to R$138 million, an 89 percent increase from the year prior.103Bruno Rosa. “Paes de Andrade já procura executivos da Petrobras sobre verbas publicitárias,” O Globo, June 28, 2022. Archived December 15, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.is/3rVSS 

Petrobras put its advertising account into review in early 2022. Propeg and Ogilvy, which WPP owns, were awarded the Petrobras account despite DPZ’s pitch to continue working on it.104Petrobras defines criteria for dividing jobs between Ogilvy and Propeg,” Meio e Mensagem, August 11, 2022. Archived August 3, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/U5iea 

May 2021

Carré Noir rebranded Total into TotalEnergies.105Total Energies,” Carré Noir, 2021. Archived June 8, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/UBAT1

August 2017

The state-owned Brazilian oil company Petrobras chose Publicis subsidiary DPZ and independent agency Propeg to handle its advertising account.106DPZ&T returns to Rio after winning Petrobras advertising account,” O Globo, August 8, 2017. Archived October 16, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.is/SuQzx The 30-month contract between Petrobras, DPZ, and Propeg was worth R$550 million ($176 million). 

DPZ, then known as DPZ&T, opened a 40-person office in Rio de Janeiro to service the Petrobras account.107DPZ&T returns to Rio after winning Petrobras advertising account,” O Globo, August 8, 2017. Archived October 16, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.is/SuQzx

April 2015

Publicis Conseil advertisement for Engie
Source: Engie X Account, April 24, 2015.108The world changes and our énergies too, GDF SUEZ is now #ENGIE http://engie.com,@ENGIEgroup X Account, April 24, 2015. Archived January 29, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/DDwQK 
In this French print ad created by Publicis Conseil, Engie announced its new name and said it was investing in the energy transition.

Publicis Conseil helped rebrand the French oil and gas company GDF Suez under the new name Engie.109[Press Release]. “GDF SUEZ becomes ENGIE,” Engie, April 24, 2015. Archived October 3, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/Mxrew Publicis Conseil advertised Engie’s focus on the transition to renewable energy through print, TV, digital, and social media campaigns. Publicis organized over 100 print ads across French newspapers and magazines and over 170 million digital impressions across social media channels.110[Press Release]. “GDF SUEZ becomes ENGIE,” Engie, April 24, 2015. Archived October 3, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/Mxrew 

Engie’s vice president of marketing and corporate social responsibility, Valérie Bernis, said, “This campaign illustrates ENGIE’s determination to become an indispensable renewable energy player and leader of the energy transition.”111ENGIE’s New Advertising Campaign: from the name change to a gateway of solutions” Engie, September 25, 2015. Archived March 27, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.is/erz2r In 2015, Engie still sourced over 70 percent of its energy from coal and gas.112Generation capacity mix of the Groupe,” Engie, March 18, 2014. Archived March 28, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/cyrzF

Kekst CNC

Contact & Address

133 avenue des Champs Elysées
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APCO Worldwide Background APCO has been described as “one of the world's most powerful PR firms.”“Public Relations Firms Database: APCO Worldwide,” O'Dwyers. Archive.is URL: https://arc...
Hugh W. Ellsaesser Credentials Ph.D., Meteorology.“Re: Global warming: It's happening,” Letter to NaturalSCIENCE, January 29, 1998. Archived July 28, 2011. Archive.fo URL: https://arch...
Alfred (Al) Pekarek Credentials Ph.D., University of Wyoming (1974).“Faculty/Staff,” St. Cloud State University. Archived May 28, 2010. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/dA53K ...
Benny Josef Peiser Credentials Ph.D. , University of Frankfurt (1993). Peiser studied political science, English, and sports science. “Benny Peiser,” Wikipedia (German)Entry. Peiser, ...