When Philip Kotler signed up to our Sustainable Marketer Manifesto - we were absolutely thrilled to have his esteemed support

In his 90 years on the planet, Philip has written over 80 books - and there’s not a trained marketer that hasn’t touched at least one of his tomes. Therefore, it’s no surprise that in this episode he reflects on where marketing started - finding, winning, keeping and growing customers and the two key assumptions that were made - and how now, current day, and given the situation we find ourselves in as a collective, how those two key assumptions are now highly questionable.

In this absolutely knowledge packed interview, filled with case studies and practical advice, Catherine generously takes us through the basic principles of the circular economy, before we hit the many complexities around sustainability and discuss different practical approaches - selling services rather than ownership, making products that are more durable and using different sustainably sourced materials.

We talk about necessary changes in policy. for example the taxing of virgin resources and pollution and waste - where innovation is currently happening and the dangers of greenwashing.

“I don’t think there’s anyone in the world that can argue rationally that it is rational to prioritise a shareholder at the expense of a human being or at the expense of the environment for generations to come. I’ve yet to meet anyone who can argue that successfully.” Kresse Wesling

In this interview, Kresse shares how the brand started, back in 2005, having discovered London’s decommissioned fire-hoses were going to landfill - finding a best second life as luxury products. Given the luxury industry is one which had historically failed people and planet, Elvis & Kresse explored the opportunity to try something different.

Mike shares his passion, expertise and experience discussing the profound and fundamental shifts that need to happen to really bring about effective and very necessary change. The elephant in the room is consumption and the fundamental relationship we have with ‘stuff’. We’re going to need total behaviour change. Mike shares the three questions he’s looking for from businesses who are committed to driving change and what he did at M&S to build sustainability into the heart of everything they do. Answering one or two of the questions - just isn’t enough - All three questions need to be answered. Tune in to ask those questions of your own business.

Having read Sangeeta’s latest book, Corporate Social Responsibility is Not Public Relations - we were keen to invite her to the show. Sangeeta features a number of compelling interviews in her book, with a diverse range of organisations operating around the world. We discuss the interviews that really stood out for her, memorable examples of organisations that are making great progress - and of course, the challenges that arise when organisations get it wrong.

We hear a lot about ‘purpose’ - and indeed, from an advertising perspective, brands have to be super cautious about coming across as ‘greenwashing’. But purpose isn’t a new concept of course - and in this podcast, we’re joined by senior marketer Paul Frampton, to discuss the role purpose has played in marketing and advertising - and the role marketing plays in driving sustainability.

Part 2… John's been a marketer in 'green world' for decades. In this insight packed podcast he shares his experience and views around the many 'evil's of marketing' - and what the alternatives could look like. What if we simply ban the BS and go 'dark' - effectively, removing the 'voice'? And how do we move away from making normal things seem green, to making green things seem normal? We discuss where marketing sits strategically, the challenge of commercial balance and desire, purpose led marketing and whether purpose has become a bit of a panacea - and whether good marketing excuses bad stuff - and how we move towards a more considered approach starting with the question, 'What's the decent thing to do?'... With so much to explore, we split the podcast into two.

In this episode we’re joined by John Grant, Author and truly, the definitive ‘green marketing guy’. Having recently read John’s latest book, ‘Greener Marketing’ - we discuss a range of topics about what ‘greener marketing’ really looks like today. John’s passion for driving an environmental and green agenda stems from the start of his career in the 90’s. We discuss some of the many projects he’s embarked upon and the role of being a marketer in ‘green land’ rather than a ‘green’ champion in marketing land.

Whilst more organisations are starting to drive a more sustainable agenda - reporting on the impact and outcomes of those initiatives has never been more important. Consumers, employees and investors are calling for more transparency and visibility. We discuss current reporting frameworks, CSR, ESG, GRI and how organisations are working together to create a single reporting standard. No easy task considering the breadth of organisations, sectors, issue. Simon shares his  experience, expertise, real world challenges and advice as to how organisations navigate this particularly thorny path.