4.3.3 Commitments given by the Group, agencies and employees to local communities: Create & Impact 2019
For over 10 years now, Create & Impact has been the umbrella program that pools the Group’s actions carried out internally (Give Back Days, Wellness Days, Green Day and Green Week, etc.) and undertaken with communities and society in general, including pro bono campaigns, as well as volunteering and charitable activities. Create & Impact is the combination of all Group commitments having a societal impact, representing an estimated total of 45.4 million euro in 2019. The nature of the contributions made by agencies has moved towards conducting an increasing number of charitable activities involving more volunteer employees but with a lower financial value than the pro bono campaigns. All activities carried out within the context of Create & Impact have a direct impact on populations, on local and neighboring communities, and on regional economic, social and environmental development since there is a strong proximity between the agencies and the causes they support. All of the activities included in Create & Impact have been monitored for the last four years, in line with United Nations’ SDGs, in order to better assess their direct impact (see the CSR section of the Group’s website).
Common Ground: in 2016, Publicis Groupe, together with five other communications groups, committed to back the Secretary General of the United Nations by lending their expertise to promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. As part of this unique industry approach, Publicis Groupe has continued to work on SDG no. 2: Zero Hunger. Since 2016, 200 projects have received support from the teams, either via pro bono, volunteering or charity work.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
In 2019, the group's commitment to communities amounted to 45.5 million euros.
With 223 Pro Bono Campaigns and 338 volunteering initiatives
Group agencies took part in over 561 projects in 2019.
The value of these contributions has dropped in the last few years, for three reasons. Some entities have limited their commitments, reducing the number of organizations to which aid is given and the total value of that aid. The number of projects supported by volunteering or skills-based sponsorship is growing, but their financial value is more modest. Lastly, media buying volumes are down by value but have grown in efficacy due to the use of social network platforms.
Pro bono campaigns (223) are carried out free of charge by the Group’s various agencies, in addition to all the skills-based sponsorship provided. Agencies concentrate on a limited number of causes. The teams are very proud of the actual efficacy of the campaigns, and of the awards that they have won in recognition of their creative freedom.
In regard to volunteering (338), one or more teams are made available for a limited period of time to provide operational support for specific initiatives run by non-profit organizations in the name of general interest causes. In some countries, this may also be regarded as skills-based sponsorship. You will find a presentation of select projects in the CSR, social aspects, section of our website.
Donations and charity work: emergency aid is ongoing. To a greater or lesser extent, natural disasters and tragic accidents arouse spontaneous acts of generosity that bring employees and management together. Under these extraordinary circumstances, local presence is a key factor for success. This is why the Group gives priority to a decentralized approach and local initiatives. Contribution to SDGs: the Group monitors the way in which the causes chosen and supported contribute to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).