In this episode of the Age of Adoption podcast, host Keith Zakheim welcomes Duncan Meisel, Executive Director of Clean Creatives, an organization challenging PR and advertising agencies to reject fossil fuel clients. Drawing from his background in climate NGO communications, Duncan has pioneered a global movement to eliminate ties between creative agencies and fossil fuel companies. The conversation explores how Clean Creatives provides a pledge for agencies and brands, targets those working with polluters, and confronts the conflicts of interest that arise when agencies serve both sustainability-focused clients and fossil fuel companies simultaneously.
Despite current political headwinds facing climate initiatives, Duncan maintains an optimistic outlook grounded in planetary urgency and market fundamentals. He highlights how twice as much capital now flows into renewable energy compared to fossil fuels, and emphasizes that engagement typically increases during challenging political climates. For businesses navigating the climate transition, Duncan stresses the importance of focusing on material climate impacts that directly affect bottom lines—like insurance companies losing advertising revenue due to climate disaster—and building strategic plans that position organizations for success when the pendulum inevitably swings back toward climate action.
Duncan Meisel, Executive Director of Clean Creatives, leads a global movement challenging advertising and PR agencies to cut ties with fossil fuel companies through their industry pledge system. Drawing from his background in climate NGO communications at organizations like 350.org, Duncan identifies how agencies serve conflicting interests when representing both sustainability-focused brands and fossil fuel clients. In this episode, he reveals the concerning "climate doomer" mentality among many agency professionals working with polluters and explains how Clean Creatives connects the dots between climate impacts and business consequences—like State Farm's $8 million Super Bowl ad cancellation due to climate disasters while their agency also represented Exxon. Despite current political headwinds, Duncan maintains that planetary urgency and strong market fundamentals, including twice as much capital flowing to renewables versus fossil fuels, provide reasons for optimism in the climate transition. Based in Austin, Texas, Duncan has been recognized as one of Adweek's Young Influentials and PRovoke Media's Innovator 25.
In This Episode:
(00:00) Introduction - Duncan Meisel of Clean Creatives
(03:39) Duncan explains Clean Creatives' mission and fossil fuel pledge
(07:44) Discussion of agency conversations and rationalizations for fossil fuel work
(11:06) Brand perspective on agencies with fossil fuel clients
(14:42) Duncan shares his Age of Adoption story amid political challenges
(18:07) Clean Creatives' tactical focus on materiality and real impacts
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About the show:
The Age of Adoption podcast explores the monumental transition from a period of climate tech research and innovation – an Age of Innovation – to today's world in which companies across the economy are furiously adopting climate solutions - the Age of Adoption. Listen as our host, Keith Zakheim, CEO of Antenna Group, talks with experts from across the climate, energy, health, and real estate sectors to discuss what the transition means for business and society, and how corporates and startups can rise above competitors to lead in this new age. Access more curated content on the subject by visiting, www.ageofadoption.com.
This podcast is brought to you by Antenna Group, an award-winning integrated marketing, public relations, public affairs and digital agency that partners with the world’s most exciting and disruptive companies across cleantech, mobility, real estate, healthcare, and emerging B2B tech sectors. Our clients are transformational and distinguished corporations, startups, investors, and nonprofits that are at the bleeding edge of the Age of Adoption. Visit antennagroup.com to learn more.
Resources:
Duncan Meisel LinkedIn
Clean Creatives Website
Antenna Group
Age of Adoption Website
Keith Zakheim LinkedIn