Ian Kosasih, director of World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Indonesia’s forest programme, told Media that while the NGO hasn’t campaigned against advertising suppliers before, “we are considering it”.
He hinted that action may be taken against agencies pitching for the creative account of Paseo, a brand of tissues made by Asia Pulp & Paper (APP). WWF and Greenpeace have been campaigning against APP, a subsidiary of Indonesian conglomerate Sinar Mas, which they accuse of illegal logging in Indonesia and China.
Both NGOs say APP has been ‘greenwashing’ by investing in CSR programmes to deflect criticism. Publicis, Lowe, Saatchi & Saatchi and local agency Lemonade are pitching for the APP account.
Greenpeace said it was not, as yet, targeting agencies.
“At the moment, our focus is to stop environmental criminals from causing direct environmental degradation,” said Liu Bing, senior forests campaigner, political and markets, Greenpeace China. “We are working with agencies and publications on ads to raise public awareness of environmental protection in China.”
Meanwhile, APP has been searching for a PR agency, but has so far not found one willing to represent it, say sources.