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John "Zehn" Baskerville, PMP

Founder - Bnevol, LLC
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Zehn is an award-winning Product Developer and Certified PMP, and the Founder of Bnevol, a Black-Owned Digital Agency amplifying impact for mission-focused organizations across the do-good sector with web, marketing, strategy, and tailored digital solutions. Zehn also holds a Nonprofit Management Essentials certification from Northwestern Kellogg and the Allstate Foundation.

Identifying a Committed Vegan Marketing Agency vs Greenwashing Pretenders

Identifying a Committed Vegan Marketing Agency vs Greenwashing Pretenders

Decoding Genuine Vegan Marketing Agencies - In the Rapidly Growing Vegan Market, Discover How to Find a Marketing Partner that Truly Aligns with Your Vision

Finding a digital marketing agency that aligns with your vision and values in the thriving vegan market is akin to locating a needle in a haystack. Amidst the clamor of agencies vying for a share of this lucrative sector, discerning a truly committed vegan digital company from those merely capitalizing on the trend can be a daunting task. For vegan businesses, organizations, and professionals, it's not simply about understanding an agency's service offerings but rather about assessing their ethics, clientele, and unwavering commitment to Veganism and animal welfare principles. This article serves as a compass to navigate this intricate landscape, helping you find a partner that truly shares your vision and champions your mission. 

First, what does current data tell us about the vegan market, and what is projected? 

   

In the United States, those who identify as vegan have increased by 600% in the past decade.

  • The plant-based food market in the United States is expected to reach USD 79.1 billion by 2027.
  • The vegan fashion market is expected to reach USD 29.2 billion by 2025.
  • A recent survey found that 72% of consumers are willing to pay more for vegan products.
  • A study by the University of Oxford found that a vegan diet could reduce an individual's carbon footprint by up to 73%.

These statistics show that the vegan market is booming and that there is a growing demand for vegan products and services. These data suggest a significant opportunity for vegan businesses, organizations, and professionals to reach a wider audience and grow their businesses. This demand is likely to continue to grow in the future. 

There is an increased need for digital marketing agencies that specialize in marketing vegan products and services. Here are some tips for choosing the right one.

Also Read: 8 Effective Digital Strategies For Successful Vegan & Plant-Based Businesses

Strengthen Your Ethical Stance vs Risking Reputation:

As a vegan organization, working with vegan agencies and partners reinforces your ethical stance and further solidifies your commitment to the cause. The alignment resonates well with your target audience and positions you as a genuine Veganism and animal welfare advocate. It shows you're interested in promoting your business and investing in propagating Veganism, and making the world a better place for all living beings.

Conversely, partnering with organizations disregarding your values can bring severe reputation risks. A case in point is Bob Parsons, the founder of GoDaddy's web hosting service.

Parsons infamously posted a graphic video of himself trophy hunting and killing an African elephant in Zimbabwe, inviting considerable backlash. Unapologetically, Parsons responded, "I'm not sorry," ... "It takes a guy like me" to protect villagers' crops from rogue elephants," ... and "Each year I go to Zimbabwe and hunt problem elephants. It's one of the most beneficial and rewarding things I do." The narrative he attempted to spin around his actions didn't quell the public outcry.

The public response was swift and severe. Change.org hosted a campaign titled "Tell Go Daddy's Founder: Real Men Don't Kill Elephants," galvanizing public sentiment against Parsons' actions. Notably, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) pulled their services from GoDaddy and urged others to follow suit. 

This incident illustrates the potential reputational damage a business can suffer when it aligns with partners whose actions contradict its values. As a vegan organization, it's crucial to ensure that your partners share your business goals and your commitment to ethical practices and animal welfare.


Spotting Genuine Care: Identifying the Right Signals

Discerning whether a digital marketing agency truly cares about your cause requires careful consideration of several factors. 

  • Are you a target customer: Understand if you are a genuine target customer for the agency or simply a business that needs their services. An authentic vegan marketing agency should show genuine interest in your products or services and understand your industry's unique challenges and opportunities.

  • Who are their target customers: Examining their other clients can also provide insights. Are they serving other vegan organizations, demonstrating a consistent commitment to the vegan cause, or do they help anyone, regardless of industry or values? A vegan digital company dedicated to the cause will likely have a track record of working with similar organizations. 

  • Do they align with your mission: Further, evaluate whether they share in your mission. Do they genuinely want your success, or are they more interested in acquiring your business? A true partner will align with your mission and demonstrate a vested interest in your growth.

  • Assess their focus areas: If an agency is exclusively or disproportionately focused on health or climate, excluding animal welfare, this could indicate a misalignment with your values. A genuinely committed vegan marketing agency will understand the importance of animal welfare alongside other critical vegan issues.

  • Check for Certifications or Memberships: Authentic vegan marketing agencies often carry relevant certifications, such as being a certified B Corporation, or they might be members of vegan or ethical business networks. These are clear indicators of their commitment to vegan and ethical business practices.

  • Assess their Online Presence: Take a close look at the agency's online presence, including its website, social media platforms, and blog. Are they promoting vegan values and news? Are they engaging with the vegan community online? These are clear indications of an agency that genuinely supports the vegan cause.

  • Who Are They: Understanding the people behind the agency can also be telling. Do the team members follow a vegan lifestyle? Do they volunteer or contribute to vegan causes? While every team member doesn't have to be vegan, some reasonable and ethical surface checks (don't get creepy about it) to learn about the team can help you understand if a passion for veganism at the leadership level exists and can strongly indicate an agency's commitment.

By considering these additional factors, you can gain a deeper understanding of a marketing agency's commitment to veganism, helping you make an informed decision about your marketing partner.


Conclusion:

Choosing the right vegan digital marketing partner involves more than comparing service offerings and pricing. It's about aligning with an agency that shares your values, understands your industry, and genuinely cares about your success. By scrutinizing potential partners in this way, you can avoid the pitfalls of greenwashing and find an agency to help propel your mission forward. Remember, a partnership should strengthen your commitment to your cause, not risk your reputation.

Request a free consultation today to further understand how to find the right vegan marketing agency for your business.*

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Author

John "Zehn" Baskerville, PMP

Founder - Bnevol, LLC
The Image Alt Text
Zehn is an award-winning Product Developer and Certified PMP, and the Founder of Bnevol, a Black-Owned Digital Agency amplifying impact for mission-focused organizations across the do-good sector with web, marketing, strategy, and tailored digital solutions. Zehn also holds a Nonprofit Management Essentials certification from Northwestern Kellogg and the Allstate Foundation.

More Articles In This Category

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