Our Letter to Netflix: Work with Fossil-Free Agencies
Netflix has chosen Dentsu. Now we're asking both of them to go further.
As creatives, filmmakers, and climate communicators, we are frequently inspired by the stories Netflix tells – and by the investments Netflix has made to tell them responsibly.
However, Netflix's EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa) media review is entering its final stages, and it faces an unavoidable conflict of interest.
Omnicom, following its merger with IPG, now holds 120 active or recent fossil fuel contracts, more than any other holding company in the world. WPP has 82 active or recent fossil fuel contracts (including BP, ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies, and Saudi Aramco). Dentsu has 18 active or recent fossil fuel clients (including Chevron, Repsol, and Shell).
Our planet is at a tipping point, not just in terms of our climate, but in our culture. Fossil fuel companies, aided by PR and media agencies, are contributing to a misinformation crisis that is making climate progress harder to achieve. Netflix has invested real resources in decarbonizing its supply chain. But the agency supply chain, where narrative power lives, hasn't been examined.
We strongly believe Netflix should add fossil-free agency procurement as an explicit criterion in this review, and establish it as a standard going forward. There are more than 1,500 agencies worldwide that have pledged to refuse fossil fuel clients. Choosing one of these pledged agencies is a low-friction, high-return climate action, that is consistent with the commitments Netflix has already made.
If the agencies pitching for Netflix's business won't drop fossil fuels, Netflix should drop them.
Respectfully,
(The Undersigned)
Signers:
Shawn Adamsson
Josh Akapo
A. Laura Brody
Dr Simon Clark
Hannah Craik
Jason Deign
Olivia Gaunt
Dr Ella Gilbert FRMetS
Alex Goddard
Tolmeia Gregory
Andy Hawkins
Clover Hogan
Diana Holguin
Dmitriy Ioselevich
Ngcali Jafta
Tom Keogh
Micah Kirscher
Skylar Knight
Adam Levy (ClimateAdam)
Mikayla Madigan
Aria McKenna
Michael Mezzatesta
Tim Monroe
Sam Narr
Amy P
Ben Peers
Cassie Pendino
Qiyun
Qasim Rashid
Whitney Richardson
Samuel Rubin
Ella Sabourin
Judith Scheytt
Jacob Simon
Charlie Southwood
Ian Stoufer
Tori Tsui
Tracy W
Claire Watt
Jo Weston
Alaina Wood
Ashley Worobec
Xandrieth Xs
Update: Netflix has chosen Dentsu.
Now we're asking both of them to go further. Add your name.
Of the three agencies in contention, Dentsu had the smallest fossil fuel exposure — an estimated 0.15% of its $8.2 billion revenue in 2024. They take sustainability more seriously than their holding company peers, bringing advertised emissions into client frameworks.
A $190 million partnership with Netflix is exactly the mandate Dentsu needs to go all the way and become the first major holding company to offramp fossil fuel clients entirely.
We've written the roadmap. Now we're asking both Netflix and Dentsu to walk it.
We're here to help.
Blueprints for Brands Engaging Creative Agencies on Fossil Fuel Ties
Here you will find case studies detailing leading companies' approaches to decarbonizing their agencies and lessons they've learned along the way.
Additionally, you'll find tools and templates developed by these companies that you can use to spur action in your own companies and additional educational materials.
Over 1500 agencies in 60 countries have pledged to not work with fossil fuels.
Our signers stick to their climate principles, so that they can recruit the best talent and deliver the best results to clients who are trying to adapt to a rapidly changing climate.
If you’re looking for an agency to help you with any of your marketing needs, there is a Clean Creatives agency ready to deliver. Not on the list? Join here.