United Nations and Marketing Industry Leaders Launch “Hopenhagen”

CANNES, France -

- Global Campaign to Harness Action around the UN Climate Change Conference

The United Nations, the International Advertising Association (IAA), and a coalition of the world’s leading advertising, marketing and media agencies today launched Hopenhagen — a movement that empowers global citizens to engage in the December United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15) — at the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival. Hopenhagen, hopenhagen.org, is a global marketing and communications initiative that will inspire and generate mass activation around the world.

“Climate change is one of the epic challenges facing this and future generations. World leaders will come together for the Copenhagen climate change conference in December and every citizen of the world has a stake in the outcome. It is time to seal a deal. We need a global movement that mobilizes real change,” said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Hopenhagen is about more than hope. “It is about global action for a global climate treaty and a better future for humankind,” Ban added.

The United Nations engaged the global advertising and media industry through the IAA to develop a comprehensive communications program to drive public awareness and generate action.

“The collaboration that has taken place among the world’s leading agencies to develop this campaign for the United Nations is unprecedented and a testament to the significance the industry places on the need for action to address climate change,” said IAA Executive Director Michael Lee.

The diverse and complementary team of communication agencies that have volunteered time, resources and dedicated team members to develop and execute the Hopenhagen campaign include: Dentsu; Havas, represented by Euro RSCG and MPG; Interpublic Group, represented by McCann Worldgroup, R/GA and Draftfcb; MDC Partners, represented by Colle+McVoy; Omnicom, represented by Ketchum, Interbrand and Tribal DDB; Publicis Groupe, represented by Digitas and Saatchi & Saatchi S; WPP, represented by Ogilvy & Mather. Chairman of the creative council was Bob Isherwood, former Worldwide Creative Director of Saatchi & Saatchi.

Hopenhagen stemmed from the idea that the UN Climate Change Conference is an opportunity to protect people and the planet, while powering global green growth. The campaign will emphasize a shift from “coping” or ignoring to “hoping” and ultimately acting to create a new reality.

Visit www.hopenhagen.org. The full release and campaign creative is available at www.iaaglobal.org.

Source: The International Advertising Association

Paul Cohen of Ketchum, +1-646-935-3934, paul.cohen at ketchum.com, for IAA; or Michael Lee of the International Advertising Association, +1-212-557-1133, michael.lee at iaaglobal.org