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.1โ€œAbout Publicis Groupe,โ€ Publicis Groupe, Accessed January 2024. Archived October 30, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/Ju803 Its subsidiaries, including Leo Burnett, Kekst CNC, Carrรฉ Noir, DPZ, and Saatchi & Saatchi, have worked for fossil fuel clients such as TotalEnergies,2[Press Release]. โ€œThird Quarter 2023 Revenue,โ€ 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

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

Publicis subsidiary Carrรฉ Noir helped relaunch the oil and gas giant Total as TotalEnergies in 2021.3โ€œTotalEnergies,โ€ Carrรฉ Noir, 2021. Archived June 8, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/UBAT1 Carrรฉ Noir designed a new logo and branding campaign4โ€œMais quel foutage de gueule ! #TotalEnergies,โ€ @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.5โ€œ2021 Design: TOTAL BECOMES TOTALENERGIES,โ€ Eurobest, 2021. Archived October 1, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/x8Ugj In 2022, Carrรฉ Noir won two Transform Awards6โ€œTransform Awards Europe 2022 winners announced,โ€ 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.7โ€œTop/Com Grand Prix 2022 Corporate Business,โ€ 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 2030.8โ€œOur 2030 targets towards carbon neutrality in 2050,โ€ TotalEnergies, September 2021. Archived May 26, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.is/8Ccg5

Carrรฉ Noir created the video ad above, with the voiceover: โ€œSo today, to contribute to the sustainable development of the planet facing the climate challenge, we are moving forward โ€” together โ€” towards new energies.โ€ The voiceover later says, โ€œOur ambition is to become a world-class leader in the energy transition. That is why Total is becoming TotalEnergies.9โ€œTotal becomes TotalEnergies – TotalEnergies – Carrรฉ Noir – Design agency,โ€ 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 ร  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. โ€œEnvironmental groups sue TotalEnergies over climate marketing claims,โ€ 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 & Saatchiโ€™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 Enelโ€™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,” Lรผrzer’s Archive, 2005. Archived February 9, 2024. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. When Saatchi & Saatchi ran an ad campaign in 2005 with the tagline โ€œEnel. Leader in supplying renewable energy,โ€ Enel sourced less than a third of its electricity from renewable energy.14โ€œ2009 Sustainability Report p. 46,โ€ 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,” Lรผrzer’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 2030.16โ€œEnvironment,โ€ 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 criticized17โ€œYesterday we launched the #FList2023, and today weโ€™re sharing a collection of posters targeted at #NewYorkers who work at the major #advertising holding coโ€™s with the intention of bringing attention to the wild weather NYC had this past June,โ€ Clean Creatives X Account, September 20, 2023. Archived January 29, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/BbLHT Publicis Groupeโ€™s work for fossil fuel clients on its annual โ€œF List.โ€18โ€œTHE F-LIST 2023,โ€ 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. โ€œHigh Flying Publicis Groupe Reveals Its Latest Evolution With CoreAI Centralization,โ€ 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]. โ€œThird Quarter 2023 Revenue,โ€ page 5, Publicis Groupe, October 12, 2023. Archived January 29, 2024. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog

Select Fossil Fuel Clients

YearRegionClientPublicis SubsidiaryCitation
2024MENAAramcoMSL Group21Agency: MSL Group ME,” Campaign, c. 2024. Archived May 27, 2024. Archive URL:
https://archive.ph/pF2WJ
2024UKTotalEnergiesPublicis 22Publicis Sport & Entertainment,” Publicis Group UK, 2024. Archived June 15, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/3PEho
2024UKOvo EnergySaatchi & Saatchi23OVO launches โ€˜The Energy Forecastโ€™ as Euston Motion+โ€™s first campaign,” Ovo Energy, January 22, 2024. Archived January 26, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/PjQXU
2023IndiaAdani GroupKekst CNC24Kevin McCauley. โ€œKekst CNC Goes to Work for Besieged Adani Group,โ€ Oโ€™Dwyers PR, February 13, 2023. Archived February 13, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/L73I0
2023North AmericaEnbridgeLeo Burnett25Creative Report Card 2023: Agencies: Leo Burnett,” Strategy, 2023. Archived January 25, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/jTCIV
2023ThailandPTGLeo Burnett26PT: The Fuel Delivery,” Clio Awards, 2023. Archived June 7, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/zpMVe
2023MENAAramcoPublicis 27Saudi Arabia Report 2023,” p. 51, Campaign via Issuu, May 30, 2023. Archived May 31, 2023. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. 
2023MENATotalEnergiesPublicis28Saudi Arabia Report 2023,” p. 51, Campaign via Issuu, May 30, 2023. Archived May 31, 2023. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. 
2023MENAADNOCPublicis Sapient29Saudi Arabia Report 2023,” p. 52, Campaign via Issuu, May 30, 2023. Archived May 31, 2023. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. 
2023EuropeTotalEnergiesPublicis30[Press Release]. โ€œThird Quarter 2023 Revenue,โ€ Publicis Groupe, October 12, 2023. Archived January 29, 2024. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.
2023UKOvo EnergySaatchi & Saatchi31OVO APPOINTS SAATCHI & SAATCHI TO SUPERCHARGE PLAN ZERO STRATEGY,” Saatchi & Saatchi, April 2023. Archived July 16, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/jvQTG
2023ItalyEnelSaatchi & Saatchi32“The Wonderful Armada,” Ads of the World, June 2023. Archived September 25, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/9IRp3
2023BrazilComgรกs Publicis33[Press Release]. โ€œThird Quarter 2023 Revenue,โ€ Publicis Groupe, October 12, 2023. Archived January 29, 2024. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.
2022BrazilPetrobrasDPZ34Bรกrbara 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 Burnett35Chris 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 Group36“Agency: MSL Group ME,” Campaign Middle East, Archived August 28, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/2hPEm
2022GlobalTotalEnergiesPublicis372023 Annual Shareholder’s Meeting: SN#70 The Shareholdersโ€™ Newsletter Spring 2023,” TotalEnergies, Spring 2023. Archived May 29, 2023. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. 
2022FranceEngiePublicis Conseil38Engie – “No Energy To Waste,” Ad Forum, 2022. Archived January 26, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/BtqGZ
2022AustraliaAmpolSaatchi & Saatchi39Ricki Green. “AMPOL LAUNCHES NEW โ€˜POWERING OUR WAY OF LIFEโ€™ CAMPAIGN VIA SAATCHI & SAATCHI AND IPROSPECT,” Campaign Brief, July 11, 2022. Archived January 10, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/WdIMq
2022ItalyEnelSaatchi & Saatchi40[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. 
2021MENAADNOCPublicis Sapient41Transforming the Energy Industry in The Middle East & North Africa: How Is ADNOC Preparing for a Sustainable Future?Publicis Sapient, 2021. Archived May 19, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/rQ2E5
2021BrazilPetrobrasDPZ42Fรกbio Couto and Francisco Gรณes. “CEO takes over Petrobras with eye on board election,” Valor International, June 28, 2022. Archived June 8, 2023.
2021MENAAramcoDigitas43Sofia 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 Noir44Deciphering Totalโ€™s new faded logo, becoming TotalEnergies,” Graphene, June 2, 2021. Archived September 26, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/D0Dau
2021FranceEngiePublicis Conseil45Discours Vert – ENGIE – Publicis Conseil – agence Publicitรฉ / communication / 360,” La Reclame, November 18, 2021. Archived December 1, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.is/6RDOt
2021EuropePGEPublicis Poland46PGE wybiera agencje kreatywne do dwuletniej wspรณล‚pracy,” Wirtual Nemedia, June 23, 2023. Archived October 5, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/zpnBB
2021AustraliaAmpolSaatchi & Saatchi47Ricki Green. “AMPOL HELPS THE NATION TRAVEL โ€˜FAR AND WIDEโ€™ IN NEW CAMPAIGN VIA SAATCHI & SAATCHI + IPROSPECT,” Campaign Brief, April 21, 2021. Archived January 10, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/Bpr2j
2021ItalyEnelSaatchi & Saatchi48Catarina 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
2020UKBritish GasPublicis Sapient49How British Gas Accelerated its Digital Transformation,” Publicis Sapient, 2020. Archived May 23, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/u2yDm
2020BrazilPetrobrasDPZ50Fรกbio Couto and Francisco Gรณes. “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 Burnett51PT: Fresh,” Ads of the World, March 2020. Archived January 25, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/CdhpR
2020GlobalEnelSaatchi & 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
2019MENAAramcoDigitas532019 Winners & Shortlists: Saudi Aramco Website Redesign,” Dubai Lynx, 2019. Archived August 26, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/fdFmH
2019BrazilPetrobrasDPZ54Fรกbio Couto and Francisco Gรณes. “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 Burnett55HP Lubricants โ€“ 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 & Saatchi56Lindsey 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
2018BrazilPetrobrasDPZ57DPZ: Jornada,” Meio e MensagemDecember 2018Archived January 23, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/bkWFi
2018FranceEngiePublicis Conseil58Engie Heliatek,” Clio Awards, 2018. Archived January 26, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/Xlyss
2018GlobalEnelSaatchi & Saatchi59Take a Futuristic Tour Through ENELโ€™s Energy Business in First Global Campaign,” Little Black Book Online, March 28, 2018. Archive December 6, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.is/VtQAU
2017BrazilPetrobrasDPZ60DPZ&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 Burnett61Merit 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 Burnett62Power to Thrill,” ET Brand Equity, November 6, 2017. Archived January 25, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/MQfOt
2017FranceEngiePublicis Conseil63ENGIE et Publicis Conseil font campagne sur le thรจme du dรฉmรฉnagement,” L’ADN, June 12, 2017. Archived January 29, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/r19da
2017GlobalEnelSaatchi & Saatchi64Enel: Door,” Ads of the World, March 2017. Archived September 28, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.is/j5WAN
2016GlobalEnelSaatchi & Saatchi65Lindsey 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 Burnett66Harmeet Singh. “AOY Gold: Leo Burnettโ€™s winning vision,” Strategy, November 4, 2015. Archived January 24, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/Sn5Pc
2015IndiaHindustan Petroleum Company LimitedLeo Burnett67Leo Burnett retains HPCLโ€™s creative biz,” ET Brand Equity, 2015. Archived August 17, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.is/JfDZa
2015FranceEngiePublicis Conseil68ENGIEโ€™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 & Saatchi69Saatchi & 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 Burnett70Enbridge Safety Report 2014,” Leo Burnett Design, 2014. Archived January 17, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/Wqzco
2014IndiaHindustan Petroleum Company LimitedLeo Burnett71Leo Burnett retains HPCLโ€™s creative biz,” ET Brand Equity, 2015. Archived August 17, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.is/JfDZa
2014GlobalTotalEnergiesPublicis Conseil72[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 & Saatchi73Saatchi & 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 Burnett74Leo Burnett retains HPCLโ€™s creative biz,” ET Brand Equity, 2015. Archived August 17, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.is/JfDZa
2013ThailandPTGLeo Burnett75PTG appoints Leo Burnett to oversee brand communications,” The Nation, March 6, 2013. Archived February 12, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/PJ72W
2013GlobalTotalEnergiesPublicis Conseil76[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 & Saatchi77Saatchi & 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 Burnett78Leo Burnett retains HPCLโ€™s creative biz,” ET Brand Equity, 2015. Archived August 17, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.is/JfDZa
2012EuropeEnelSaatchi & Saatchi79Christina 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 Burnett80Leo Burnett retains HPCLโ€™s creative biz,” ET Brand Equity, 2015. Archived August 17, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.is/JfDZa
2011ItalyEnelSaatchi & Saatchi81Saatchi & 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 Burnett82Leo Burnett retains HPCLโ€™s creative biz,” ET Brand Equity, 2015. Archived August 17, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.is/JfDZa
2010ItalyEnelSaatchi & Saatchi83Saatchi & 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 Burnett84Leo Burnett retains HPCLโ€™s creative biz,” ET Brand Equity, 2015. Archived August 17, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.is/JfDZa
2009ItalyEnelSaatchi & Saatchi85Saatchi & 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 Burnett86Leo Burnett retains HPCLโ€™s creative biz,” ET Brand Equity, 2015. Archived August 17, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.is/JfDZa
2008ItalyEnelSaatchi & Saatchi87Enel Radio SHOWER by Saatchi & Saatchi Rome,” Ads Spot, October 2008.  Archived January 27, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/rnXGJ
2007ItalyEnelSaatchi & Saatchi88Saatchi & Saatchi Wins Power Company Enel Pitch,” Little Black Book Online, July 15, 2015. Archived July 17, 2017. Archive URL: https://archive.is/PF9L7
2006ItalyEnelSaatchi & Saatchi89Saatchi & Saatchi Wins Power Company Enel Pitch,” Little Black Book Online, July 15, 2015. Archived July 17, 2017. Archive URL: https://archive.is/PF9L7
2005ItalyEnelSaatchi & Saatchi90ENEL: Saatchi & Saatchi, Rome,” Lรผrzer’s Archive, 2005. Archived February 9, 2024. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. 
2004ItalyEnelSaatchi & Saatchi91Saatchi & Saatchi Wins Power Company Enel Pitch,” Little Black Book Online, July 15, 2015. Archived July 17, 2017. Archive URL: https://archive.is/PF9L7
2003ItalyEnelSaatchi & Saatchi92[Press Release]. “PUBLICIS GROUPE ANNOUNCES EXCEPTIONAL 2003 PERFORMANCE,” Publicis Group, March 9, 2004. Archived December 9, 2021.

Publicis Supervisory Board

Actions

November 10, 202393โ€œ2023 CMA Awards,โ€ 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 โ€œTomorrow is Onโ€ campaign for Enbridge.94Dave Ford. โ€œ2023 CMA Awards, And The Winners Areโ€ฆ.โ€ 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 2022.95Enbridge. โ€œLibrary ID: 1539371116502000,โ€ 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.96โ€œKekst CNC Goes to Work for Besieged Adani Group,โ€ Oโ€™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 Researchโ€™s January 24 report was published.97Chloe Cornish and Hudson Lockett. โ€œAdani stocks regain half of losses from Hindenburg report fallout,โ€ Financial Times, January 2, 2024. Archived January 2, 2024. Archive URL:  โ€‹โ€‹https://archive.ph/R1TZe

In 2023, the Adani Group was the worldโ€™s largest private coal mine developer98โ€œThe 2023 Global Coal Exit List: Failing the Phase-Out,โ€ Urgewald, October 19, 2023. Archived January 23, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/3TVuO and operated one-fifth of Indiaโ€™s power transmission lines.99โ€œThe humbling of Gautam Adani is a test for Indian capitalism,โ€ 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.”100Gerry Shih, Niha Masih and Anant Gupta. โ€œHow political will often favors a coal billionaire and his dirty fossil fuel,โ€ The Washington Post, December 9, 2022. Archived March 7, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/xVDCn

June 2022101Enbridge. โ€œWith renewables projected to be the worldโ€™s fastest-growing energy source for decades, our commitment to creating a cleaner energy future is unwavering,โ€ 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 โ€œTomorrow is Onโ€ campaign for Enbridge, a pipeline and gas company based in Canada.102โ€œEnbridge- Tomorrow Is On,โ€ Leo Burnett Canada, 2022. Archived January 16, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/lSWbt The campaign advertised Enbridgeโ€™s investments in renewable energy and ran ads in Canada and the U.S.103Chris 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 Enbridgeโ€™s investments in โ€œrenewable natural gasโ€ and hydrogen as โ€œlow carbon solutions.โ€ 

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.104โ€œEnbridge Inc. Media Mix; June 1, 2022 – December 31, 2023,โ€ Media Radar, January 24, 2024. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. A DeSmog analysis of Facebookโ€™s ad library found that Enbridge spent between $1.97 and $2.37 million on Facebook and Instagram for the โ€œTomorrow is Onโ€ 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 โ€œTomorrow is Onโ€ campaign, Enbridge said modernizing its Line 5 pipeline was key to a net zero future.105 [Press release]. โ€œNew commercial features unlikely star,โ€ 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.106Leanna Hosea. โ€œWhy Michigan is trying to shut down Canada’s Enbridge Line 5 pipeline,โ€ 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 โ€œunreasonable riskโ€ to the Great Lakes.

June 25, 2022

The new CEO of Brazilโ€™s state-owned oil company Petrobras convened advertising executives to inquire about Petrobrasโ€™ ballooning advertising costs. Publicis subsidiary DPZ and Worldwide Partners agency Propeg were handling Petrobrasโ€™ advertising account in 2021 when advertising spending rose to R$138 million, an 89 percent increase from the year prior.107Bruno Rosa. โ€œPaes de Andrade jรก procura executivos da Petrobras sobre verbas publicitรกrias,โ€ 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.108โ€œPetrobras defines criteria for dividing jobs between Ogilvy and Propeg,โ€ Meio e Mensagem, August 11, 2022. Archived August 3, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/U5iea 

May 2021

Carrรฉ Noir rebranded Total into TotalEnergies.109โ€œTotal Energies,โ€ Carrรฉ 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.110DPZ&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.111DPZ&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, 2015.112โ€œThe world changes and our รฉnergies too, GDF SUEZ is now #ENGIE http://engie.com,โ€ @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.113[Press Release]. โ€œGDF SUEZ becomes ENGIE,โ€ 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.114[Press Release]. โ€œGDF SUEZ becomes ENGIE,โ€ Engie, April 24, 2015. Archived October 3, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/Mxrew 

Engieโ€™s vice president of marketing and corporate social responsibility, Valรฉrie Bernis, said, โ€œThis campaign illustrates ENGIEโ€™s determination to become an indispensable renewable energy player and leader of the energy transition.โ€115ENGIEโ€™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.116โ€œGeneration capacity mix of the Groupe,โ€ Engie, March 18, 2014. Archived March 28, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/cyrzF

Kekst CNC

Contact & Address

133 avenue des Champs Elysรฉes
75008 Paris
France
+33 1 44 43 70 00

Social Media

Resources

Related Profiles

Kekst CNC Background Kekst CNC is a public relations firm owned by PublicisGroupe, a French advertising and public relations conglomerate.(Press Release). โ€œKekst and CNC Join Forces to Creat...
Background The Fรฉdรฉration Nationale des Syndicats dโ€™Exploitants Agricoles (FNSEA) is Franceโ€™s largest agricultural union.Aude Mazoue. โ€œFranceโ€™s unprecedented drought shows climate change is โ€˜sp...
Background Wavemaker is a WPP media agency that has worked with Chevron for over two decades.Erik Oster. โ€œWavemaker Retains $60 Million Chevron Global Media Account,โ€ Adweek, August 27, 2019. A...
FTI Consulting Background FTI Consulting (NYSE: FCN) describes itself as โ€œan independent global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations manage change, mitigate ri...