McCann

Background

McCann is a global creative solutions company.1About,” McCann, Accessed March 1, 2025. Archived March 1, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/11GBD It has worked for at least 11 fossil fuel industry clients, including Aramco, the world’s largest corporate greenhouse gas emitter,2Cumulative operational and product emissions from the largest carbon producers worldwide from 1854 to 2022,” Statista, October 17, 2024. Archived March 7, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/dYxmk Equinor, and Valero.3See the fossil fuel clients table. The UK’s advertising regulator banned an advert McCann produced for Equinor that claimed Equinor was “working to help the UK achieve a smooth energy transition,” ruling that the advert was misleading because it omitted significant information about Equinor’s overall environmental impact.4ASA Ruling on Equinor ASA,” Advertising Standards Authority, December 20, 2023. Archived Match 7, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ZWAAy McCann has also had clients in the car, arms,5McCann,” McCann, September 29, 2017. Archived September 29, 2017. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/mLJpz/image aviation,6Air India to fly with McCann,” Campaign India, June 29, 2023. Archived March 7, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/3IRBP food, sugar-sweetened beverages,7McCann,” McCann, December 23, 2023. Archived December 23, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/23SwV and tobacco8George Lazarus. “As smoke clears, McCann loses out,” Chicago Tribune, July 28, 1989. Archived March 7, 2025. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. industries.

McCann was founded in 1912 and still maintains its original slogan: “Truth well told.”9About,” McCann, Accessed March 1, 2025. Archived March 1, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/11GBD

Source: Facebook.10Truth well told,” McCann Worldgroup Facebook post, January 6, 2021. Archived March 1, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/IVhRH

McCann is headquartered in New York and has offices worldwide.11About McCann,” IPG, Accessed March 1, 2025. Archived March 1, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/QDmlr It is the lead agency of the McCann Worldgroup group of companies,12About,” McCann, Accessed March 1, 2025. Archived March 1, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/11GBD owned by IPG, one of the world’s largest advertising and public relations holding companies.13IPG,” DeSmog database profile.

McCann, sports, and fossil fuels

McCann has produced at least five campaigns for fossil fuel clients that are focused on sports. These include promoting Petro-Canada’s sponsorship of the 2024 Paris and 2020 (held in 2021) Tokyo Olympics,14Melissa Schwartz’s Post,” Melissa Schwartz LinkedIn Account, 2025. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.,15David Brown. “Why Petro-Canada is celebrating coaches for the Olympics,” The Message, August 4, 2021. Archived September 25, 2023. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. sponsorship of a sailing regatta by Q8 (the international arm of the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation),16Q8 FESTEGGIA 40 ANNI IN ITALIA CON UNO SPOT CHE RIORRE LA SUA STORIA. FIRMA MCCANN CON THINK CATTLEYA,” Brand News, June 7, 2024. Archived August 3, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/no59c creating a short film about F1 racing for Petronas,17Petronas F1 ‘Back to Start’ Film Features Ordinary People with Extraordinary Dreams,” Branding in Asia, April 26, 2017. Archived January 27, 2025. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. promoting Statoil’s (now Equinor) sports and culture talent programme for children18Kidsbühel,” Ads of the World, Accessed March 3, 2025. Archived March 3, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/6TMFY and Aramco’s sponsorship of the Aramco Team Golf Series.19Aramco: Team Series Golf,” Electric Orange TV, Accessed March 7, 2025. Archived March 7, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/WpbTp Aramco’s sports sponsorship has been dubbed “sportswashing,” a term used to describe the sponsorship of athletes or sporting events with the intention of distracting attention from unethical practices, by the think tank New Weather Institute.20Federica Di Sario and Giovanna Coi. “Saudi oil giant spends well over a billion on ‘sportswashing,’ new report says,” Politico, September 18, 2024. Archived March 7, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/bQ6jZ

Stance on Climate Change

As of February 2025, McCann does not publish any information about sustainability on its website. However, McCann Worldgroup, the network of IPG companies to which McCann belongs, says that it has “an aspirational goal to be net zero by 2030”21Green Office Guidelines,” McCann Worldgroup, January 2023. Archived March 1, 2025. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. and that it intends “To eliminate negative environmental impacts and protect resources for future generation [sic].”22Sustainability,” McCann Worldgroup, Accessed March 1, 2025. Archived March 1, 2025. Archive URL: http://archive.today/ea1by

In September 2022, the holding company that owns McCann and McCann Worldgroup, IPG, said that it would review the climate goals of prospective fossil fuel clients before agreeing to new work.23IPG Takes New Steps in Considering Energy and Fuel Clients,” IPG, September 23, 2022. Archived October 5, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.is/yrcia This policy did not apply to existing clients. The campaign group Clean Creatives found that there was no decrease in the number of fossil fuel contracts held by IPG between 2023 and 2024.24The F-List 2024,” Clean Creatives, 2024. Archived March 1, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ea1by In 2023, Nannette Dufour, then global chief sustainability officer at McCann Worldgroup, told the magazine Adweek that McCann Worldgroup would work with its oil and gas clients to “support them in a way that, as we go forward, we can create something that is aligned with our criteria and our values.”25Kathryn Lundstrom. “How McCann Worldgroup’s Internal Sustainability Tracker Steers It Toward Net Zero,” AdWeek, March 8, 2023. Archived March 1, 2025. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.

Funding

In 2022, IPG, the parent company of McCann, reported a total revenue of $10.9 billion.26(Press Release). “Interpublic Announces Third Quarter and First Nine Months 2023 Results,” IPG, October 20, 2023. Archived March 13, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/TZexG

In 2008, McCann agreed to pay a $12 million penalty to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) after the SEC alleged that McCann fraudulently misstated its financial results.27SEC Charges McCann-Erickson Worldwide With Accounting Fraud,” U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, May 1, 2008. Archived March 1, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/Akr58

Key People

NamePosition20252024202320222021Citation
Daryl LeeGlobal CEO, McCann and McCann WorldgroupYYYY28Daryl Lee,” McCann Worldgroup, Accessed February 24, 2025. Archived February 24, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/pLAGp,29Daryl Lee,” LinkedIn, Accessed February 24, 2025. Archived February 24, 2025. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.
Javier CampopianoGlobal Chief Creative Officer, McCann and McCann WorldgroupYYY30Javier Campopiano,” McCann Worldgroup, Accessed February 24, 2025. Archived February 24, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/PYgdw,31Javier Campopiano,” LinkedIn, Accessed February 24, 2025. Archived February 24, 2025. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.
Harjot SinghGlobal Chief Strategy Officer, McCann and McCann WorldgroupYYY32Harjot Singh,” McCann Worldgroup, Accessed February 24, 2025. Archived February 24, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/JASI7,33Harjot Singh,” LinkedIn, Accessed February 24, 2025. Archived February 24, 2025. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.
Stephanie NerlichGlobal President, McCannYYY34Stephanie Nerlich,” McCann Worldgroup, Accessed February 24, 2025. Archived February 24, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/9Gv7F,35Stephanie Nerlich,” LinkedIn, Accessed February 24, 2025. Archived February 24, 2025. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.
Michelle TangGlobal Chief Growth Officer, McCannYYY36Michelle Tang,” McCann Worldgroup, Accessed February 24, 2025. Archived February 24, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/N1O1g,37Michelle Tang,” LinkedIn, Accessed February 24, 2025. Archived February 24, 2025. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.
Singleton BeatoGlobal EVP, Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer, McCann WorldgroupYYYYY38Singleton Beato,” McCann Worldgroup, Accessed February 24, 2025. Archived February 24, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/1d99J
Will WaddingtonGlobal Chief Financial Officer, McCann WorldgroupYY39Will Waddington,” McCann Worldgroup, Accessed February 24, 2025. Archived February 24, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/qegXh
Anaka KobzevGlobal Chief Communications Officer, McCann WorldgroupYYY40Anaka Kobzev,” McCann Worldgroup, Accessed February 24, 2025. Archived February 24, 2025. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.
Nathan BrownGlobal Chief Audience Architect and Global Chief Growth Officer, McCann WorldgroupYYY41Nathan Brown,” McCann Worldgroup, Accessed February 24, 2025. Archived February 24, 2025. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.
Iván Czwan AltobelliGlobal Chief Talent Officer, McCann WorldgroupYY42Iván Czwan Altobelli,” McCann Worldgroup, Accessed February 24, 2025. Archived February 24, 2025. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.
Maria Politis MoutsatsosGeneral Counsel, McCann WorldgroupYYYYY43Maria Politis Moutsatsos,” McCann Worldgroup, Accessed February 24, 2025. Archived February 24, 2025. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.

The board of directors of IPG, McCann’s parent company, is available at DeSmog’s profile of IPG. In 2024, six of IPG’s ten board members had experience working with polluting industries.44TJ Jordan and Rachel Sherrington. “Dozens of Ad & PR Industry Directors Have Ties to Heavily Polluting Industries,” DeSmog, April 3, 2024.

Fossil Fuel Clients

YearCountryRegionClientBranchSource
2024EuropeCEZ GroupMcCann Prague45“McCann Prague,” Vladimir Zikmund, resumé snapshot. Archived January 21, 2025. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.
2024EquinorMcCann46Equinor bryter med Try etter ti år – Anorak får jobben,” Kampanje, January 9, 2024. Archived August 14, 2024. Archive URL: http://archive.today/Jtl5m
2024Petro-CanadaMcCann Canada47“Melissa Schwartz’s Post,” Melissa Schwartz LinkedIn Account, 2025. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.
2024EuropePetrolinaDeLeMa McCann Cyprus48“MyPetrolina app – Nissan X-Trail e-POWER campaign,” DeLeMaCY YouTube Account, April 11, 2024. Archived .mp4 available at DeSmog. 
2024AsiaPetronasMcCann Erickson Malaysia49“Ainsley Lok,” Ainsley Lok, resumé snapshot, Agencies Dentsu and McCann, Client, Petronas. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.
2024Q8McCann Italy50Q8 FESTEGGIA 40 ANNI IN ITALIA CON UNO SPOT CHE RIPERCORRE LA SUA STORIA. FIRMA MCCANN CON THINK CATTLEYA,” Brand News, June 7, 2024. Archived August 3, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/no59c
2024ValeroMcCann New York51“Blair Baker,” Blair Baker LinkedIn Account, 2025. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.
2023AramcoFP752“Campaign – Saudi Arabia Report 2023,” Motivate Media Group Issuu Account, May 30, 2023. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. 
2023NEOMFP753“Campaign – Saudi Arabia Report 2023,” Motivate Media Group Issuu Account, May 30, 2023. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. 
2023SABICFP754“Campaign – Saudi Arabia Report 2023,” Motivate Media Group Issuu Account, May 30, 2023. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. 
2023EuropeCEZ GroupMcCann Prague55“McCann Prague,” Vladimir Zikmund, resumé snapshot. Archived January 21, 2025. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.
2023Copec56Copec: Muevo,” McCann Worldgroup2023. Archived December 14, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/PNfN5COPEC – Juegos Panamericanos,” La Asociación Chilena de Publicidad Youtube Account, October 26, 2023. 
2023Equinor57About Us,” McCann Enterprise, Archived June 2, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/Yk75T
2023CanadaNorth AmericaPetro-Canada58Justin Crann. “Why McCann is expanding its digital and media teams out west,” Strategy, February 22, 2023. Archived March 7, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/bHgFV
2023AsiaPetronasMcCann Erickson Malaysia59“Ainsley Lok,” Ainsley Lok, resumé snapshot, Agencies Dentsu and McCann, Client, Petronas. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.
2023ValeroMcCann New York60“Blair Baker,” Blair Baker LinkedIn Account, 2025. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.
2023ArgentinaSouth AmericaYPF61YPF | Científico,” Mercado McCann YouTube Account, January 6, 2023. Archived April 13, 2023. Archived .mov available at DeSmog. 
2022EuropeCEZ GroupMcCann Prague62“Last from the commercial series for ČEZ Group,” unreal_visual, Agency: McCann Prague Instagram post, December 6, 2022. Archived January 24, 2025. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. 
2022Copec63COPEC Lo último de @eldiegoruiz para @mccann.santiago,” Cueca Films Instagram Account, August 23, 2022. Archived December 14, 2023. Archived .png available at DeSmog. 
2022BrazilSouth AmericaEquinor64Neste ano, nossa árvore foi decorada com bolas estampadas com as marcas dos nossos clientes,” WMcCann Brasil Instagram Account, December 23, 2022. Archived December 14, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/MijFK
2022CanadaNorth AmericaPetro-Canada65David Brown. “Why McCann made a 24-hour documentary,” The Message, November 23, 2022. Archived December 15, 2023. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.
2022EuropePetrolinaDeLeMa McCann Cyprus66“MyPetrolina app,” DeLeMaCY, March 14, 2022. Archived .mp4 available at DeSmog.
2022AsiaPetronasMcCann Erickson Malaysia67“Ainsley Lok,” Ainsley Lok, resumé snapshot, Agencies Dentsu and McCann, Client, Petronas. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.
2022Valero68Right now. Valero,” Patrick Virgie, 2022. Archived September 26, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/SaIad
2022ArgentinaSouth AmericaYPF69MERCADO MCCANN CELEBRA CON IMPULSO LOS 100 AÑOS DE YPF,” Latin Spots, January 27, 2022Archived December 18, 2023. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. 
2021Aramco70Ishwari Khatu. “Marketing Game Changer 2022: Aramco’s Kirk Collingwood,” Campaign Middle East, December 20, 2022. Archived December 21, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.is/An1QT
2021EuropeCEZ GroupMcCann Prague71ČEZ si na reklamu vybírá agenturu McCann-Erickson,” MediaGuru, March 15, 2021. Archived February 10, 2024. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.
2021BrazilSouth AmericaEquinorWMcCann72Equinor: Two Decades of Operation in Brazil,” WMcCann, September 27, 2021. Archived January 28, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/LZV9f
2021CanadaNorth AmericaPetro-Canada73David Brown. “Why Petro-Canada is celebrating coaches for the Olympics,” The Message, August 4, 2021. Archived September 25, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/qxlVn
2021GlobalSABICMcCann UK74Francesca Martorelli,” McCann. Archived January 27, 2025. Archive URL: http://archive.today/6u38w
2021ArgentinaSouth AmericaYPF75“YPF Luz | Generación,” Mercado McCann Youtube Account, June 25, 2021. Archived April 13, 2023. 
2020Aramco76Ishwari Khatu. “Marketing Game Changer 2022: Aramco’s Kirk Collingwood,” Campaign Middle East, December 20, 2022. Archived December 21, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.is/An1QT
2020EuropeCEZ GroupMcCann Prague77“Tereza Pilzova,” Tereza Pilzova resumé snapshot, Agency McCann Prague, Client CEZ Group. Archived January 27, 2025. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.
2020Copec78Pese a la crisis chilena, McCann Santiago cerró positivamente el año,” Insider, January 15, 2020. Archived August 5, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.is/SVAn1
2020BrazilSouth AmericaEquinor79Programacao: Márcio Borges – WMcCann /Brasil,” Univates, March 2, 2020. Archived September 20, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ObCXj
2020EuropePetrolinaDeLeMa McCann Cyprus80“Petrolina: P-EnergyMax,” DeLeMaCY, October 26, 2020. Archived .mp4 available at DeSmog.
2020ArgentinaSouth AmericaYPF81FINALISTAS Y GANADORES – EL OJO FILM 2020,” El Ojo de Iberoamerica, 2020. Archived June 6, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/SShmp
2019AramcoMcCann Worldgroup82Michael Ives. “‘Real Impact’ – Across the Kingdom and Around the Globe — Aramco’s First Branding Campaign,” The Arabian Sun reposted on Aramco Expats, October 30, 2019. Archived December 15, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/DLyyZ
2019BrazilEquinor83Equinor,” Joanna Peixinho2019. Archived November 1, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.is/MxRlL
2019CanadaNorth AmericaPetro-Canada84Our Clients,” McCann WorldGroup Canada, Archived April 10, 2019. Archive URL: https://archive.is/F2Tkc
2018BrazilSouth AmericaEquinor85Alexandre Zaghi Lemos. “See the agencies that grew the most in media buying,” Meio e MensagemFebruary 18, 2019. Archived December 14, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/m1AON
2018CanadaNorth AmericaPetro-Canada86Justin Dallaire. “Petro-Canada invites you to ‘Live by the Leaf’,” Strategy, August 10, 2018. Archived July 7, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.is/0vZ2n
2018AsiaPetronasMcCann Erickson Malaysia87By Lynchy. “Directors Think Tank shoot new Petronas global brand film for McCann Erickson Malaysia,” Campaign Brief Asia, May 7, 2018. Archived January 27, 2025. Archive URL: http://archive.today/hsUmg
2017AramcoFP788Saudi Aramco releases Energo, a multi-game platform designed & developed by Eurisko Mobility in collaboration with FP7,” Eurisko Mobility, January 30, 2017. Archived June 27, 2017. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/QmryK
2017AsiaPetronasMcCann Erickson Malaysia89“Petronas F1 ‘Back to Start’ Film Features Ordinary People with Extraordinary Dreams,” Branding in Asia, April 26, 2017. Archived January 27, 2025. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.
2015UKEuropeEquinor90James Smith. “Statoil hires McCann for UK marketing task,” Campaign US, August 25, 2015. Archived December 15, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/93WTx
2015ArgentinaSouth AmericaYPF91Come to go, by Mercado McCann to YPF,” McCann Worldgroup YouTube Account, October 5, 2015. Archived March 23, 2024. Archived .mov available at DeSmog. 
2014UKEuropeEquinor92James Smith. “Statoil hires McCann for UK marketing task,” Campaign US, August 25, 2015. Archived December 15, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/93WTx
2014EuropePetrolinaDeLeMa McCann Cyprus93Petrolina Platinum+ TV ad,” DeLeMaCY, November 10, 2014. Archived .mp4 available at DeSmog.
2013UKEuropeEquinor94Letters of intent to McCann Worldgroup and Try/Apt,” Equinor, April 15, 2013. Archived May 30, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/cwWQI
2012UKEuropeEquinor95“Campaign Media Awards 2012 – Best Financial, Corporate and Utilities Campaign: Statoil,” Campaign US, November 22, 2012. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. 
2011GlobalGlobalEquinor96Oliver Luft. “UM London wins Statoil UK activity,” Campaign UK, June 8, 2011. Archived December 15, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/zmMLr,97Kidsbühel,” Ads of the World, Accessed March 3, 2025. Archived March 3, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/6TMFY
2009JapanAsiaJ-Power98J-Power: Environment, Global,” Ads of the World, Accessed March 3, 2025. Archived March 3, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ouP8l,99J-Power Powers Life in HD Spots for Japanese Market Directed by Stardust’s Jake Banks,” Dexigner, May 6, 2009. Archived March 3, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/A5I76
2008StatoilHydro (Equinor)100StatoilHydro: Crane, Ships, Truck,” Ads of the World, Accessed March 3, 2025. Archived March 3, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/w4YOc
1964USNorth AmericaEsso (ExxonMobil)101The history of advertising in quite a few objects: 43 Esso tiger tails ,” Campaign, September 27, 2012. Archived March 3, 2025. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.

Actions

July 2024

McCann Canada produced a campaign for Petro-Canada, “Let’s Go.” The campaign focussed on Petro-Canada’s support for Canada at the Paris Olympic games. According to a marketing professional at Suncor, Petro-Canada’s parent company, the campaign was “all about having fun and celebrating Team Canada through the lens of the fans.” It encouraged Canadians “to cheer on Team Canada with us by posting a photo or video on TikTok or Instagram with the hashtag #LetsGoWithPetro.” McCann Canada offered a chance to win prizes to those who tagged and followed @PetroCanada in their posts.102Melissa Schwartz’s Post,” Melissa Schwartz LinkedIn Account, 2025. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.

June 2024

McCann Italy produced a campaign to celebrate Q8’s 40 years of presence in Italy.103Q8 FESTEGGIA 40 ANNI IN ITALIA CON UNO SPOT CHE RIPERCORRE LA SUA STORIA. FIRMA MCCANN CON THINK CATTLEYA,” Brand News, June 7, 2024. Archived August 3, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/no59c Q8 is the international arm of the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation.104Who we are,” Q8, Accessed March 7, 2025. Archived March 7, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/XLg4a McCann placed this campaign on TV, radio, digital, out-of-home, and social media. The campaign had a focus on innovation and sustainability.105Q8 FESTEGGIA 40 ANNI IN ITALIA CON UNO SPOT CHE RIPERCORRE LA SUA STORIA. FIRMA MCCANN CON THINK CATTLEYA,” Brand News, June 7, 2024. Archived August 3, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/no59c

Source: YouTube.106La pubblicità di Q8 per i 40 anni in Italia,” Brand News YouTube Account, June 7, 2024. Archived January 13, 2025. Archived .png available at DeSmog.

May 2024

McCann won a tongue-in-cheek “DEI Award for Definitely Exploiting Individuals” as part of Clean Creative’s annual F-List awards, which aims to tell “the tales that the fossil fuel industry and their agencies would rather keep hidden.” McCann won the award for its work on Aramco’s “Powered by How” campaign, which said that Aramco supported women in their professional development.107The F-List Awards 2024,” Clean Creatives, May 8, 2024. Archived June 11, 2024. Archived .pdf and .mp4 on file at DeSmog.

Source: Clean Creatives.108The F-List Awards 2024,” Clean Creatives, May 8, 2024. Archived June 11, 2024. Archived .pdf and .mp4 on file at DeSmog.

December 20, 2023

The UK’s advertising regulator, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), banned an advert created by McCann for Equinor. The advert, which had appeared in The Economist in June of that year, said that “Equinor has been delivering energy solutions to the UK for 40 years, and we are now working to help the UK achieve a smooth energy transition,” and included the tagline “IT’S ALL PART OF THE BROADER ENERGY PICTURE.” The ASA ruled that the “ad was misleading because it omitted significant information about the overall environmental impact of Equinor’s business activities,” with large-scale global oil and gas investment and extraction comprising the majority of Equinor’s business activities and likely to continue to do so for the near future.109ASA Ruling on Equinor ASA,” Advertising Standards Authority, December 20, 2023. Archived Match 7, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ZWAAy

Equinor said its advert targeted decision-makers and their influencers, including politicians, advisors, and journalists.110ASA Ruling on Equinor ASA,” Advertising Standards Authority, December 20, 2023. Archived Match 7, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ZWAAy Adverts from the same campaign also appeared across Reuters and the Financial Times from May to July 2023, according to campaign group Adfree Cities. Adfree Cities noted that the adverts had appeared in the run-up to a major UK government decision on the Rosebank oil and gas field in the North Sea, of which Equinor was the majority owner.111Equinor ad ban reveals deliberate political targeting before Rosebank decision,” Adfree Cities, January 10, 2024. Archived March 7, 2025. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.

November 16, 2023

DeSmog reported that McCann was repitching itself to handle fossil fuel giant Aramco’s advertising work. McCann was already working for Aramco under contracts set to expire in 2024. One IPG employee told DeSmog there was “growing unease” among employees about the company’s work for Aramco.112IPG,” DeSmog database profile.

In response to the news that McCann was repitching for Aramco, campaigners launched a spoof agency, ‘Atmospheric,’ whose mission was to give its clients “the social license they need to Keep the Fire Burning™.” Atmospheric posted a satirical billboard ad in central London: “The climate is changing. Business shouldn’t have to.” The climate collective Glimpse, alongside Utopia Bureau, a climate communications lab, and satirist and musician Oli Frost, created Atmospheric. Glimpse’s founder, James Turner, said its spoof campaign: “is completely ridiculous. But it’s nowhere near as absurd as pitching for the world’s most polluting companies while pretending to have a meaningful policy on climate change.”113Ellen Ormesher. “Why a fake agency is pitching for Saudi Aramco’s account,” The Drum, November 23, 2023. Archived March 3, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/BNBw8

2023

McCann’s Calgary office and fellow IPG agency Initiative became PetroCanada’s agency of record. McCann was already handling PetroCanada’s creative account.114Justin Crann. “Why McCann is expanding its digital and media teams out west,” Strategy, February 22, 2023. Archived March 7, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/bHgFV

2022

In 2022, McCann produced a 24-hour-long documentary advert for Petro-Canada’s CareMakers Foundation. The CareMakers Foundation is a Petro-Canada initiative that raises awareness and funding for carers. The documentary followed the lives of 10 family caregivers across Canada for one day.115David Brown. “Why McCann made a 24-hour documentary,” The Message, November 23, 2022. Archived December 15, 2023. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.

Source: YouTube.116Petro-Canada CareMakers Foundation – 24 Hours of Care,” Petro-Canada CareMakers YouTube Account, September 26, 2023. Archived March 7, 2025. Archived .mp4 available at DeSmog.

McCann Canada promotes the campaign on a page on its website called “the work we told our moms about.” The webpage says, “For the millions of Canadian caregivers, caring never stops. Many of us, however, can only imagine what it must be like. That’s why we created 24 Hours of Care, the first 24-hour-long interactive film, giving Canadians an unfiltered look into the lives of 10 real caregivers.”117Work,” McCann Canada, Accessed March 7, 2025. Archived March 7, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/KEwpc

Other agencies involved included Skin and Bones (production), Smile and Wave (post-production), Ta2 (audio), Tam-Tam\TBWA (French adaptation), Performance Art (website), and Veritas (PR).118David Brown. “Why McCann made a 24-hour documentary,” The Message, November 23, 2022. Archived December 15, 2023. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.

2022

McCann New York produced the “right now” campaign for Valero. A copywriter who worked on the project described the campaign on their website: “A lot of energy companies wax poetic about the incredible changes they’ll make in the future,” continuing, “Valero doesn’t push off what they can do to help their community for another day. They focus on doing those things today. Right now.”119Right now. Valero,” Patrick Virgie, 2022. Archived September 26, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/SaIad

The campaign included a series of short videos, for example, “fried food,” which said that Valero was recycling used cooking oil to make renewable diesel.120Right now. Valero,” Patrick Virgie, 2022. Archived September 26, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/SaIad

Source: YouTube.121Valero | Right Now,” Patrick Virgie YouTube Account, July 19, 2022. Archived January 13, 2025. Archived .mp4 available at DeSmog.

The think tank InfluenceMap explains: “Renewable fuels are not a long-term solution to decarbonizing road transport. The best solution for decarbonizing road transport according to the UN’s expert body of independent scientists – the IPCC – is electric vehicles, which Valero is lobbying to prevent.” Valero has subsequently opposed policies to promote electric vehicles in California and opposed the Environmental Protection Authority’s GHG (Greenhouse Gases) emissions standards for vehicles.122Aligning with Net Zero in the PR & Advertising Sector,” Influence Map, November 2024. Archived January 10, 2024. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.

September 2021

WMcCann, McCann’s Brazilian office, produced a campaign for Equinor to mark that the company has been in Brazil for two decades.123Equinor: Two Decades of Operation in Brazil,” WMcCann, September 27, 2021. Archived January 28, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/LZV9f

The campaign featured company employees “to honor and give prominence to those who live the day-to-day of our operations,” according to Andrea Machado, director of institutional relations at Equinor Brazil.”124Equinor: Two Decades of Operation in Brazil,” WMcCann, September 27, 2021. Archived January 28, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/LZV9f A campaign video includes prominent shots of solar technology and a drilling platform.125Equinor 2021,” WMcCann BR YouTube account, September 27, 2021. Archived March 7, 2025. Archived .mp4 available at DeSmog.

Source: YouTube.126Equinor 2021,” WMcCann BR YouTube account, September 27, 2021. Archived March 7, 2025. Archived .mp4 available at DeSmog.

The campaign also included a quiz about Equinor’s achievements in the country on themes such as the energy transition, innovation, and inclusion. On a webpage about the campaign, WMcCann says that Equinor has contributed “to the development of the energy sector and the local economy” and highlights Equinor’s solar and wind projects.127Equinor: Two Decades of Operation in Brazil,” WMcCann, September 27, 2021. Archived January 28, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/LZV9f

July 2021

McCann produced an Olympic advertising campaign for Petro-Canada, focussing on the relationships between Olympic athletes and their coaches.128David Brown. “Why Petro-Canada is celebrating coaches for the Olympics,” The Message, August 4, 2021. Archived September 25, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/qxlVn

March 2021

McCann Erikson won the procurement process to provide advertising services to the CEZ Group, an energy conglomerate.129ČEZ si na reklamu vybírá agenturu McCann-Erickson,” MediaGuru, March 15, 2021. Archived February 10, 2024. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.

2019

McCann Worldgroup created Aramco’s first brand awareness campaign. The campaign was tested on global energy and financial influencers, resulting in the tagline “real energy.” In a company newsletter, Nabeel A. Al-Jama’, vice president of Corporate Affairs at Aramco, explained that Aramco’s message was that it is “delivering real energy solutions today, and will continue to do so in the future.” Kirk Collingwood, acting administrator of Marketing Communications at Aramco, added, “The campaign will feature the breadth of our business from how we deliver ‘Real Sustainability’ through zero flaring and full contact drilling to “Real Progress,” highlighting our commitment to diversity.”130Michael Ives. “‘Real Impact’ – Across the Kingdom and Around the Globe — Aramco’s First Branding Campaign,” The Arabian Sun reposted on Aramco Expats, October 30, 2019. Archived December 15, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/DLyyZ

McCann Worldgroup widely disseminated the campaign. “In the Kingdom [of Saudi Arabia], to achieve this goal, the advertising placement statistics are impressive — more than 4,000 out of home placements (e.g., roadside and airport billboards); 100 newspaper advertisements; and across 10 digital media networks. Globally, the campaign will take us into central business districts, travel hubs, and onto the computer screens of more than 12 million readers.” This included airports and promotion in “multiple thought leader publications.”131Michael Ives. “‘Real Impact’ – Across the Kingdom and Around the Globe — Aramco’s First Branding Campaign,” The Arabian Sun reposted on Aramco Expats, October 30, 2019. Archived December 15, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/DLyyZ

The following year, Aramco withdrew the advertising campaign after the Advertising Standards Agency received 61 complaints challenging its sustainability claims.132Matthew Taylor. “Saudi Aramco removes ‘sustainable’ oil adverts after complaints,” The Guardian, April 29, 2020. Archived March 3, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/n1ebc

2018

McCann produced a campaign for Petro-Canada, “Live by the Leaf.” Kristina Schaefer, director of Petro-Canada brand development, said that McCann’s campaign intended to help Petro-Canada “move from a value brand to a brand with values.”133Justin Dallaire. “Petro-Canada invites you to ‘Live by the Leaf’,” Strategy, Accessed August 10, 2018. Archived July 7, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/k1r4X

April 2017

McCann Erickson Malaysia created a short film for Petronas as part of a larger series about F1 racing, ‘Back to Start,’ advertising Petronas’s F1 products. The magazine Branding in Asia describes the concept behind the advert:134Petronas F1 ‘Back to Start’ Film Features Ordinary People with Extraordinary Dreams,” Branding in Asia, April 26, 2017. Archived January 27, 2025. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.

“The idea behind the film is about ordinary people with extraordinary dreams. They work hard to rise and meet challenges. Petronas are inspired by these people and created the best fuels and lubricants to not just excel in the F1 sports but to keep everyone moving forward.”

2017

FP7 (McCann’s Middle East division135McCann Global Offices,” McCann, Accessed January 13, 2025. Archived December 10, 2024. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.) collaborated with Eurisko Mobility, a software development firm,136Who we are?,” Eurisko, Accessed January 13, 2025. Archived November 23, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/nkcLp to produce a game called Energo for Aramco. Eurisko Mobility described this game as “an educational and action-adventure game that promotes energy conservation and educates players about the benefits of using various energy resources.”137Saudi Aramco releases Energo, a multi-game platform designed & developed by Eurisko in collaboration with FP7,” Eurisko, Accessed January 13, 2025. Archived June 14, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/y4rui

2011

McCann produced a campaign, “Kidsbühel,” for Statoil. This campaign focused on Statoil’s talent program, which supported children in sports, culture, and education. A description of the campaign on Ads of the World, a campaign database, says, “A promising career starts with a dream, and we will cheer on these youngsters in the future. Statoil will also play an important role in the future, delivering reliable energy.”138Kidsbühel,” Ads of the World, Accessed March 3, 2025. Archived March 3, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/6TMFY

Source: YouTube.139Statoil: Kidsbühel,” Erhan Turan YouTube Account, April 12, 2011. Archived March 3, 2025. Archived .png available at DeSmog.

2009

McCann produced a campaign, “Environment, Global,” for J-Power, a Japanese electric utility company. McCann produced two campaign film adverts featuring natural imagery, such as trees, flowers, and wildlife, alongside technology, including green energy technology.140J-Power: Environment, Global,” Ads of the World, Accessed March 3, 2025. Archived March 3, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ouP8l,141J-Power Powers Life in HD Spots for Japanese Market Directed by Stardust’s Jake Banks,” Dexigner, May 6, 2009. Archived March 3, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/A5I76 As of 2020, according to Reuters, J-Power was Japan’s biggest coal-fired power generator.142J-Power to close old coal-fired power plants by 2030,” Reuters, October 30, 2020. Archived March 3, 2025. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.

September 2008

McCann produced a campaign for StatoilHydro (now Equinor) titled “Crane, Ships, Truck,”  using the tagline “Everyone must do their bit. We need to do a bit more.”143StatoilHydro: Crane, Ships, Truck,” Ads of the World, Accessed March 3, 2025. Archived March 3, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/w4YOc

The adverts also said that Statoil was working to reduce emissions, including through carbon capture and storage:144StatoilHydro: Crane, Ships, Truck,” Ads of the World, Accessed March 3, 2025. Archived March 3, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/w4YOc

“Every household should do their bit to help combat the world’s climate problems. But big companies should do a bit more. As an oil and gas company, we recognise that our industry contributes to climate change – and we want to play a key role in finding solutions. 
We believe that new technology, including ways of capturing and storing carbon dioxide before it gets into the air, will play a big role here. In our Sleipner East field in the North Sea, we have been storing carbon dioxide in sub-surface geological formations for 10 years, and we are now also applying the same approach in the Snøhvit field in the Barents Sea – keeping the greenhouse gas safely out of the atmosphere for millions of years. At StatoilHydro, we are determined to lead the way in reducing emissions, and we are constantly looking for new and sustainable ways to supply the world’s energy needs.”

Equinor built its Sleipner carbon capture and storage site to avoid increased taxation from the 1991 Norwegian CO2 tax,145Sleipner Fact Sheet: Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage Project,” MIT, Accessed March 3, 2025. Archived March 3, 2025. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. and it has subsequently proven controversial.146Edward Donnelley. “Exclusive: Norway’s Equinor Forced to Withdraw Key Carbon Capture Claim,” DeSmog, January 14, 2025.

1964

In 1964, McCann Erickson worked on a campaign for Esso, building on Esso’s slogan “Put a Tiger in Your Tank.” According to the industry magazine Campaign, “Esso sales soared,” with the campaign becoming so well recognised that Time magazine declared 1964 to be “The Year of the Tiger” along Madison Avenue.”147The history of advertising in quite a few objects: 43 Esso tiger tails,” Campaign, September 27, 2012. Archived March 3, 2025. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.

McCann was still working for Esso into the seventies.148The history of advertising in quite a few objects: 43 Esso tiger tails,” Campaign, September 27, 2012. Archived March 3, 2025. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.

McCann’s parent company is the IPG holding company. McCann is part of IPG’s McCann Worldgroup group of companies. This network comprises McCann (advertising), MRM (McCann Relationship Marketing), Momentum Worldwide (total brand experience), McCann Health (professional/dtc communications), CRAFT (production), Weber Shandwick (public relations) and FutureBrand (consulting/design).149About McCann Worldgroup,” IPG, Accessed March 1, 2024. Archived March 1, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/bkliA

Some McCann offices have names other than ‘McCann.’ These include:

  • FP7 McCann. FP7 is the name that McCann gives to its Middle Eastern offices.150Middle East,” McCann, Accessed March 1, 2025. Archived March 1, 2025. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. The FP7 website says that FP7 is part of the Middle East Communications Network (MCN) holding company,151About,” FP7 McCann, Accessed March 1, 2025. Archived March 1, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/v7luy which is part of IPG.152We are a leading advertising and communications network,” MCN, Accessed March 1, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/GXo0n
  • WMcCann. The name McCann gives to its Brazilian offices.153WMcCann,” McCann, Accessed March 1, 2025. Archived March 21, 2025. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.
  • Air. McCann in Belgium.154Belgium,” McCann, Accessed March 1, 2025. Archived March 21, 2025. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.

Contact & Address

McCann has offices in North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia Pacific. A complete list of McCann’s global offices is available on its website.

London:

McCann London

135 Bishopsgate

London, EC2M 3TP

United Kingdom

+44 (0)20 7837 3737

New York:

McCann Worldgroup

622 3rd Avenue, 

New York, 10017

United States

+1 646-865-2000

Social Media

McCann does not have its own dedicated social media profiles. However, its offices do have some of their own social media accounts.

McCann Worldgroup has social media profiles on a range of platforms:

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