Translations

PUBLICIS GROUPE has created more than 300 pro-bono campaigns for social causes in 2013

7. Community involvement

Skills and technology transfer

Sector Services

Year 2013

Country France

Transmitter

Context

The Publicis Group believes that communication can help make life better and is driven by the fundamental principles; honesty, work ethics and consideration for people. This is why the Publicis Group traditionally offers its know-how and talents to serve causes of public interest locally, nationally and globally. It is practically based on the volunteering of communication campaigns (“pro bono”), on skills sponsorship initiatives and on team’s voluntary work.

Objectives

To provide operational support to institutions, associations or NGO’s via the development of publicity campaigns for free.

APPROACH

Each entity in the group is free to choose the cause(s) that need support. In this frame, the Lille World Forum is supported by Publicis Activ Lille.

Services provided are the same as those delivered to the commercial customers of the Group. The major difference is that services are volunteered (save technical costs) – hence this « pro bono » name.

There are many areas covered, they include:

The fight against certain diseases (cancer, AIDS...),
The protection of children,
The fight against discrimination,
Actions for education,
The preservation of the planet,
Respect of liberties
Many more...

In 2012, the Publicis Group achieved 300 “pro bono” campaigns on average worldwide. The group also volunteered for more than 300 initiatives. (See http://www.publicisgroupe.com/documents/PubGpe_RapportRSE_2012.pdf).

In 2012, the Publicis Group had its CSR report audited by SGS for application of the article 225 of the Grenelle 2 law. (http://www.publicisgroupe.com/documents/PubGpe_Extrait_Document_Reference_RSE_2012.pdf).

The Group chose to build its RSE approach on the international GRI framework and follows the ISO 26000 guidelines. The « pro bono » campaigns constitute only one example of the many best practices accounting for the commitment of the Group and its agencies among their local communities.

The Publicis Group signed in 2003 the World Pact of the United Nations (Global Compact) and the “Caring for Climate” pledge in 2007. It has also been an active member of the Carbon Disclosure Project since 2009.

Best Practice selected by the World Forum Lille 2009 and updated in 2013.

CONTRIBUTION TO COMPANY PERFORMANCE

Illustration of the commitment of the Group for helping institutions that need to be supported with what we can do best: our job. Those campaigns are often awarded, recognizing our teams’ work.
Consistence with the company’s status as a social, responsible and committed economic actor.

Benefits

Participation of the Group, its agencies and employees to collective efforts to promote and support a major cause.
Enhanced impact and awareness of the causes supported by the Group.