Independent Media Agencies of Australia (IMAA) has unveiled its first two environment initiatives for the year as part of its IMAA Green Team’s commitment to a more sustainable industry and world.
The environmental initiatives have been led by the IMAA’s Green Team with Project Lead, the Glide Agency’s Es Chandra, O’Neill Media Group’s Kate Ball, Yango’s Luke Povee, The Media Store’s Emma Davis, Apparent’s Jaclyn Ely and Alchemy One’s Paul Scarf.
For the first time this year, IMAA member agencies will sign a pledge for Earth Hour. On Friday, 22 March, at 3 pm AEDT, agencies will switch off all non-emergency lights in the office or at home for one hour. The IMAA is also encouraging members to implement a one-hour reprieve from all electronic devices and participate in work that can be done without reliance on technology.
Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007 and has since grown to become the world’s largest movement for the environment, with more than 190 countries and territories participating annually to raise awareness. In partnership with WWF, participating in Earth Hour helps WWF Australia continue important conservation work to combat biodiversity loss and the impacts of climate change. Any funds raised help regenerate nature by 2030 and create a world where people live in harmony with nature.
“We’re so happy IMAA is part of the Earth Hour community! Thanks again to the Green Team and IMAA for supporting regeneration, stronger action against climate change, and a healthy future for people and nature.”
In addition, IMAA member agencies and media partners in Sydney and Melbourne participated in ‘Indies Clean Up Australia Day’ for the second consecutive year on 12 March,” said Jasmine Ledger, WWF and Earth Hour coordinator.
More than 21 million Australians have participated in Clean Up Australia activities over the past three decades, with a focus on preventing rubbish from entering our environment as it is removing what has already accumulated.
Participating agencies and media partners in Sydney were Admatic, Adenium, Audience Precision, Pearman Media, 3 Forward, Sweeney, Yango, McKenzie Partners, Apparent, One Media Co, Slingshot, G Squared, Connected Digital, Blis, Go Transit, Adobe, Mamamia, SCA, MOOVE Media, JCDecaux, SNAP, Audience360, StackAdapt and Taboola. In Newcastle, Engima and ARN participated. In Melbourne, The Media Store, Equality Media, O’Neill Media, Advertising Associates, The Pistol, Media Republic, Nexxen, Spotify, Mamamia, StackAdapt and ARN participated.
On the day, the agencies partnered to clean up parks, waterways, beaches, and streets, collectively collecting more than 100 bags of rubbish.
In 2022, the IMAA launched its first environmental initiative, Project Earth, to develop better sustainability in the independent media sector and the greater media landscape. To help achieve its vision, the IMAA partnered with several environmental organisations, including Trace, C2Zero, Scope3, Net Zero Media, and SeenThis.
“As Project Lead of the IMAA Green Team, I’m proud to spearhead initiatives like Earth Hour and Clean Up Australia, demonstrating our commitment to a more sustainable industry and planet. Together, we’re leading by example, fostering environmental stewardship and driving positive change within the independent media agency sector,” Es Chandra, Glide Agency CEO, said.
“We decided to make the environment one of our key missions after three-quarters of our members told us that the environment was important to their agency. We are leading by example and championing environmental initiatives, and it’s great to see so many of our member agencies taking an active part. Our members and media partners were all keen to be involved and, as Australian-owned businesses, we want to play a part in conserving our environment where we live and work,” said IMAA CEO Sam Buchanan.
