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GREENWASHING

BMW and Toyota targets of a guerrilla marketing campaign by activists

By our News Team | 2023

Environmental groups place spoof ads on around 400 OOH sites in European cities to accuse big auto brands of greenwashing.

Leading automotive brands BMW and Toyota have come under fire in Europe from environmental activists, who hijacked around 400 corporate advertising spaces in 14 cities to accuse the companies of greenwashing.

Three activist groups targeted OOH media sites in railway stations, at bus stops and on city streets to highlight what they claim are misleading adverts and aggressive lobbying tactics used by the auto industry – specifically Toyota and BMW.

Greenwashing

One of the billboards targeting Toyota for alleged greenwashing. Photo credit: Brandalism

Their timing coincides with the 100th anniversary of the European Motor Show in Brussels, Belgium. The show runs from14 to 22 January.

The advertising billboards – each with #BanFossilAds – carry headlines such as “Let’s Ruin Everything” (Toyota), “Toyota Land Crusher”, and “When We Test Our Emissions, The Test Dummy – Is You” (BMW).

Using advertising to greenwash their public image

In a video released on Twitter, the Brandalism activist group claimed that the reason Toyota and BMW were singled out was because they were ranked amongst the worst companies in the world for lobbying against climate policies. “[They] are using advertising to greenwash their public image whilst lobbying hard against climate regulations,” Brandalism said.

“Activists are using the action to demand more robust policies from governments to regulate the advertising of environmentally harmful products and prevent misleading green claims from big polluters,” the UK-based marketing industry publication, The Drum, reported.

“The Europe-wide action comes at a time of growing international momentum behind the idea of introducing tobacco-style advertising bans on climate-wrecking products, such as fossil fuels and SUVs. 

“In France, for example, car advertisements now require a caveat encouraging consumers to walk, cycle or take public transport wherever possible as part of new regulation due to come into force in March 2022.”

Environmental activists have targeted industries such as banking and aviation in the recent past, also accusing them of greenwashing.

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    Dr Kin Kariisa

    Group CEO - Next Media

    Dr. Kin Kariisa is an extraordinary force at the helm of Next Media Services, a conglomerate encompassing NBS TV, Nile Post, Sanyuka TV, Next Radio, Salam TV, Next Communication, Next Productions, and an array of other influential enterprises. His dynamic role as Chief Executive Officer exemplifies his unwavering commitment to shaping media, business, and community landscapes.
    With an esteemed academic journey, Dr. Kariisa’s accolades include an Honorary PhD in exemplary community service from the United Graduate College inTexas, an MBA from United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya, a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from Huazong University in China, and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Makerere University.
    Dr. Kariisa pursued PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. As a dynamic educator, he has shared his expertise as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at both Makerere University and Radboud University.

    Dr Kin did his PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radbond University in Nigmegen, Netherlands. He previously served as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda and Radbond University in Netherlands.

    Dr Kin did his postgraduate courses in Strategic Business Management, Strategic Leadership Communication and Strategies for Leading Successful Change Initiatives at Harvard University, Boston USA.

    • Other current and previous roles played by Dr Kin Kariisa:
    • Lecturer of e-Government and Information Security to graduate students at Makerere University, Kampala and Radbond University in the Netherlands
    • Director of Eco Bank Uganda Limited, one of the largest banks in Africa
    • Chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters, an umbrella industry association for all Television, Radio and online broadcasters in Uganda.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Nile Hotel International, that owns the leading hotel in Uganda, Kampala Serena Hotel.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Soliton Telmec Uganda, the leading telecom company in Optic fibre business managing over 80% of optic fibre in Uganda.