The Dole Sunshine Company named Peppercomm, a purpose-driven communications and marketing agency, as PR agency of record, a move that formalizes a partnership more than a year in the making. The firm will support Dole across its portfolio, shifting from a sprint-based campaign model to a strategic corporate and brand communications model that supports the brand globally.
Just eight weeks after launching its ambitious Dole Promise which aims to increase access to good nutrition, decrease food waste, plastics in packaging and greenhouse gas emissions, Dole tapped Peppercomm to support its Sunshine for All Cities program. Over the past year the relationship has grown to include all Promise-related communications and activations as well as overall PR strategy, planning, thought leadership, issues management and counsel across North America, Europe and Asia.
“Our interconnected promises are essential to creating shared value for all – employees, customers, shareholders and the planet, and this requires collaboration with stakeholders across the value chain. This is where Peppercomm comes in,” said Rupen Desai, global CMO, Dole Sunshine Company. “It was critical to our success to partner with an agency that not only understands purpose as a business model but one that is purpose-built and aligned with our values as a brand; one that will push us to be authentic and accountable.”
The team has been working in partnership with Dole’s integrated agency team to create impact through action because Dole believes it’s not enough to just offer nutritious foods. To improve nutrition knowledge and awareness, the organization is implementing Clean Labeling, hosting programs like Sunshine for All Cities which offers culinary arts, basic nutrition classes and access to affordable produce, investing in consumer education with campaigns like Malnutrition Labels, and raising funds and awareness with NFTs.
“Change is hard, and it starts at home. The Dole team understood that in order to grow and create societal impact they needed a partner that not only embraces change but thrives on it, and drives its clients to do the same,” said Steve Cody, founder and CEO, Peppercomm. “When an organization is facing an inflection point – either by choice or by force, we work with clients to not only embrace that change but capitalize on it. As an agency partner, this is at the very heart of our purpose.”
The account is being led out of Peppercomm’s New York office by Chief Client Officer and Senior Partner, Maggie O’Neill and Partner and Senior Vice President, Melissa Vigue with teams in San Francisco, London and Singapore. Asia is supported via a strategic partnership with Progressive Communications which is based in Singapore.
To learn more, visit peppercomm.com and follow us @peppercomm.
About Peppercomm
Peppercomm is an award-winning strategic, integrated communications and marketing agency headquartered in New York City with teams in San Francisco, London and Singapore. The independent firm combines 27 award-winning years of expertise serving blue chip and breakout clients with forward-thinking new service offerings and the freshness of a start-up. Learn more about us here.
About The Dole Sunshine Company
The name Dole Sunshine Company is used to represent the global interests and combined efforts of Dole Asia Holdings, Dole Worldwide Packaged Foods and Dole Asia Fresh. Dole Sunshine Company is not an actual business entity and does not operate as such in any country or region. For more information on Dole Sunshine Company, please visit DoleSunshine.com.
