Stable base, strengthening content – ​​the Green Pledge program is awarded for the third year in a row

The Green Pledge initiative was launched in 2022 by the Self-Regulatory Advertising Board (ÖRT), the Hungarian Marketing Association (MMSZ) and the Association of Hungarian Communication Agencies (MAKSZ). The aim of the program is for advertising and marketing industry players to consciously pay attention to environmental protection, sustainable development, and avoid greenwashing in their everyday operations and communication practices.

This year, the number of applicants remained stable, while the quality of the submitted materials reached a new level. It was new that members of DIMSZ and MPRSZ could also apply, so the initiative reached an even wider professional community. The applications have been judged by the same independent professional jury for three years now, who ensure the professional credibility of the trademark with their experience and consistent evaluation. 9 out of the 13 submitted applications earned the Green Pledge trademark.

The diversity of the winning projects this year also clearly demonstrated that sustainability finds a place in all areas of everyday life. MVM also won two awards: the Energy Diet campaign taught hundreds of thousands of people how to save energy with simple, everyday tips, while Gördülő Energia brought renewable energy closer to students with spectacular experiments. SPAR encouraged customers to be aware with its Plastic-Free July program through education and reusable solutions. The campaign, implemented in cooperation with AUCHAN and Well PR, made the reduction of plastic waste and the shaping of attitudes tangible. In Media Markt‘s BetterWay Ambassador Program, trained expert colleagues in “green shirts” helped customers nationwide make sustainable decisions. The joint work of ONE Foundation and 4iG brought sustainability thinking closer to young people through the development of digital competencies. Progressive and Univerzum 8 taught the basics of sustainability in the Green Academy program in a playful e-learning format. Mediator‘s unique communication campaign Gardener Pils showed an example of how to educate and engage the audience at the same time. Fanga Fanga and Paramount used creative, film-cultural tools to draw attention to the importance of environmental awareness.

Prof. Emeritus Dr. Gyula Bándi, Deputy Commissioner for the Protection of the Interests of Future Generations (Green Ombudsman), and chairman of the jury, highlighted: “The number of applications is stable and the quality is improving year by year. This proves that the profession really takes sustainability seriously and is creatively looking for solutions with which we can responsibly shape public discourse.”

Dr. Örs Megyer, consultant, MMSZ Emil Tonk Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, honorary president of ÖRT, co-chair of the jury added: “The Green Pledge is more than an award: it is a community affair. In this way, the marketing industry sets an example and inspires others to ensure that sustainability is not an extra in communication solutions, but a natural core value.”

Zsolt Gerendi, secretary general of ÖRT, said:

“In three years, the Green Pledge has steadily become one of the most important sustainability initiatives in the profession. The strength of the program lies in cooperation and joint attitude formation. And the best news: we will continue it next year.”

Details about the program are available on the Green Pledge website (www.greenpledge.hu)