FORWARD BECOMES A CERTIFIED B CORP

FORWARD, one of Australia's leading creative consumer public relations agencies, today announced that it has officially become a Certified B Corporation™ (B Corp™), furthering the agency's commitment to operating its business as a force for good and delivering campaigns that communicate with purpose and impact.

Founded in early 2012, FORWARD is a leading Australian PR agency to join the rapidly growing movement of more than 5100 Certified B Corporations worldwide, over 430 in Australia and New Zealand.

To become a Certified B Corporation, companies undergo a rigorous review of the impact of their operations and business model on their workers, customers, communities and environment. They must meet a minimum verified score on the B Impact Assessment.

FORWARD Founder & Managing Director Fergus Kibble said: "For ten years, we have worked hard to push the boundaries of what a PR agency can deliver. We've always strived to be a part of something bigger than ourselves, whether through our clients' campaigns, the opportunities we generate for the creators we work with or the pro-bono and low-bono support we provide to organisations who need our help. We are thrilled and proud to be joining this global movement."

As part of the certification process, FORWARD reviewed and upgraded many aspects of the agency's operations, policies and procedures, including:

  • Enhanced well-being programs and mental health support, additional employee financial and flexible working benefits, and increased commitment to training and career opportunities
  • Increased community giving and volunteering programs, including the Pay-it-FORWARD pro-bono fund and pledging 1% of net profit to support organisations in the community with an employee-matched giving component
  • Defined the agency's social purpose by targeting 25% of production work to support talented local, independent, minority-owned and under-represented creators, producers and suppliers
  • Reviewed all internal processes and suppliers to minimise environmental impact and create a more sustainable workplace

Andrew Davies, CEO of B Lab Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, shares: "We're excited to welcome FORWARD as a values-driven PR agency into the growing B Corp movement.

"Media communications, in the hands of businesses like FORWARD, help to catapult the profile and positive impact of this movement for a more equitable and inclusive global economic system," he continued.

Kibble added: "Many of our clients are making a positive difference to the world using their brands as a force for good through sustainability, social purpose and social enterprise missions. This led us to ask ourselves, could we do even more? How could we reduce our environmental impact, provide more for our people, better support the creative community, and use communications as a force for good? The journey to becoming a B Corp has been transformational for FORWARD, our leadership team and the entire agency. It will help guide us to better serve our clients, our people, and our community."