B Corps are accelerating a global culture shift to redefine success in business and build a more inclusive and sustainable economy. Much like individuals, creative agencies have the power each day to cast a vote for a brighter, more just and prosperous future. They can use the resources they have – their business, investments, and voice – to make changes that add real value to the world. That may be supporting a community, providing workers fair pay, or taking care of the environment.

The growing gap between business and social systems can be seen in the economic crises and blunders that have taken place in recent history. This is where the B corporations enter as they are businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose.

It’s not an easy process, but being a B Corp agency can make a big difference. An increasing number of clients are choosing to select creative partners as their preferred choice for making ethical and socially responsible decisions. Being a B Corp is also helpful in recruiting, retaining and motivating talented teams of individuals, particularly millennials, who may be more focused on corporate responsibility.

Agencies have to go through a rigorous impact assessment in which they are measured and scored on their impact on people and the planet. Still, there are dozens of agencies across the board that have already gone through that process. Here are some B Corp agencies creating impact:

GRRR

Based in Amsterdam, GRRR is a creative digital agency that blends design and technology to create websites and apps. Its human-centered approach helps its customers to look through the eyes of their audience. GRRR combines research and its own expertise and service design techniques to achieve amazing results.

After an introspective look, the agency became a certified B corporation in 2020. On its website, GRRR highlighted the need for agencies to take responsibility for the consequences of their work, claiming modern technology is undermining democracies and eroding human rights. That’s why GRRR sees itself as a creative digital agency for sensible business.

“We choose to consider impact more important than profit. And we believe that this choice will have more foundation if we have our sensible ambitions independently audited. That is why we are a certified B Corporation,” the agency argues. “Because developments in our field are moving so fast, we must not only look to governments for this.”

Yoyo Design

With offices in London and Kent, Yoyo Design creates digital solutions so brands can tell their story and create genuine user engagement. They are results-driven with a deep focus on the customer experience, inspiring creativity with the agency’s collaborative work ethic.

Yoyo Design is another certified B Corporation that has made a legally binding commitment to managing its business using the triple bottom line: Profit, People, and the Planet. Obtaining the certification was a mammoth undertaking for the agency, which required a lot of soul-searching and reflection and involved every single one of our team.

“The B Corp certification process is all-encompassing and touches on all aspects of our business. By committing to this rigorous process once every few years, we have clarity on where we can improve our business, where we can take things to the next level and plan strategically for the future to make us stronger,” the agency wrote.

Studio Republic

Also based in the United Kingdom, Studio Republic is a creative digital agency and sustainability communications consultancy. The agency creates award-winning digital campaigns for ethical businesses, with the mission of making a positive impact with every partnership across the globe.

Studio Republic first heard about B Corp in 2018 and knew right away that it was something they wanted to do since the purposes of B Corp aligned perfectly with the values of the agency, which wanted to be a part of a network of like-minded businesses. They completed the impact assessment and learned quite a lot about how to identify blind spots.

“Undertaking the B Impact Assessment has helped us to take a more holistic view of the business. It identified blind spots and internal processes that were otherwise neglected. It reinforced the need to undertake certain activities,” Paul Coverdale, Sustainability Consultant and Founder of Winchester Sustainable Business.

Naked Ideas

Naked Ideas was founded in 2003 to prove that digital and brand campaigns can be tackled in a more intelligent way. The agency works closely with brands to really understand their key messaging and to uncover their central ideas, which allows Naked Ideas to develop the simplest and most innovative and effective solutions.

The agency officially became a B Corp in 2018, following a rigorous assessment process of its environmental performance, accountability and transparency. Despite it was challenging, becoming a B Corp has been a big part of the agency in the last few years, and something they wanted to take forward with them for years to come.

“The world has changed since Naked Ideas started in 2003, and we have evolved with it. We believe a better world is possible and we want to help make it happen. By using our skills and knowledge creatively, we are using business as a force for good. We’re now delighted to offer all B Corp businesses a free brand consultation,” they wrote on their website.

Havas UK

The London-based creative agency Havas London also obtained its certification as a B corporation in 2018. The agency began working towards certification in 2016. In the two years since then, it has committed itself to reach the standards required by B Corp by carrying out a set of initiatives such as reducing its carbon footprint and working with charitable organisations.

“I believe that if you run a business generating the kind of revenues that we do, you have a responsibility beyond simply maximising profit. Business can and should be a force for good — and it’s eminently possible to have a positive impact on your employees, local community and the wider world without inhibiting commercial success,” Havas London CEO Xavier Rees said.

In addition to Havas London’s certification, Rees was appointed an Ambassador for B Corporations in the UK. In this role, which aims to raise awareness of B Corps in every corner of the economy, he will promote the global movement at events, share Havas London’s B Corp journey and support other companies who aspire to become B Corps themselves.

Intellitonic

Intellitonic is an elite group of digital marketers that are locally focused, operating across the United States. They provide and implement successful marketing strategies across the web, online ads, and social media. The agency empowers clients to use digital marketing strategies correctly and successfully, and to tell their story clearly and succinctly.
For the agency, simply doing business wasn’t enough, so they decided to enter into the B Corp world alongside other agencies.

“In an era in which people value both transparency and accountability, how a company does business has become just as important as what type of goods or services they offer,” they wrote in a recent blog post.

Mad Fish

Mad Fish Digital is a digital marketing and advertising agency based in Oregon, United States. They serve companies looking for data-driven, creative marketing strategies using paid advertising, content marketing, SEO, brand, and design. They have received many awards over the years and worked for small, medium and large clients.
The agency became officially certified as a B Corp in 2018 after doing a deep analysis of its business practices, solidifying its social focus and documenting the processes that reflect its values and commitment to its clients, employees and the wider community.

For Mad Fish, being a B Corp agency means being committed to keep growing and improving to be better.

“Becoming a B Corp was a natural next step for Mad Fish Digital. It formalizes our core values of collaboration, accountability, and genuine relationships under an umbrella that helps channel those efforts throughout our work,” the agency wrote in a blog post. “Our B Corp certification further helps us be an agency that changes the way marketing is used now and in the future.”

RALLY

Based in California, RALLY is an issue-driven communications firm that takes on sticky political and social problems and finds ways to push them forward. Their clients are change-making businesses, leading foundations and advocacy organizations. The organization became an officially certified B Corp in 2018 after a process of reviewing its way of doing business.

“As a B-Corp, we hope to inspire other for-profit entities to compete to be both the best in the world and the best for the world. While that may sound cliché, there’s nothing trite about doing the right thing. Our values demand it. And given the times we live in and the partners we work with, it is imperative we do it.

Anthesis

Anthesis guides clients to sustainable performance. We are the world’s leading purpose driven, digitally enabled, science-based activator.

From the Greek word ‘anthesis’, referencing the lifecycle stage of a plant when it is most productive, Anthesis exists to guide our clients as they transition to decarbonised and more sustainable futures.

With world-class expertise in science-based advisory, market-leading digital solutions, the development of high-quality carbon removal projects and purpose consulting, strategy and communication, Anthesis is uniquely positioned to manage risk and find value for our clients in their transformation journeys.

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