• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, July 8, 2021

McCann Worldgroup has launched a sustainability department and has tapped one of its UK executives—Jaclyn Kaminski—to run it. She has been appointed to the new role of global director of sustainability. 

Kaminski is tasked with implementing sustainability throughout McCann Worldgroup’s global business strategy, operations and culture. Her remit includes leading the group’s net zero transition, developing an internal sustainability education strategy, global partnership strategy, management of the network’s carbon footprint analysis and client engagement. 

In a memo to staffers Global CEO Bill Kolb wrote that the agency network is committing to being a net zero emissions company by 2040. “We are far past the stage where we can talk about being a more responsible corporate citizen when it comes to sustainability – we need to take action. And we are,” Kolb said, stressing that sustainability is critical to the network’s future growth. 

McCann has completed a global carbon footprint analysis—an effort led by Kaminski-- which will be used to develop the agency’s initial global sustainability commitments and carbon reduction strategies. 

Nannette Lafond-Dufour, President, Global Clients and Business Leadership at McCann Worldgroup, will collaborate with Kaminski in establishing and building out sustainability partnerships with each of McCann Worldgroup’s clients. “We want to exchange knowledge and expertise on achieving sustainability goals with all of our clients, and also ensure that all of the work we do with our client partners meets our mutual sustainability plans,” Lafond-Dufour said. 

The agency plan follows an announcement last month by parent Interpublic that laid out the major steps it is taking on climate change, which include setting a Science Based Target, sourcing 100% renewable electricity by 2030, and committing to reach net-zero carbon across the entire IPG entire network by 2040.