The inconsistencies in the alliance between the advertising industry and the Sustainable Development Goals

an analytical mapping of sustainability actions awarded at the Cannes Lions Festival

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15448/1980-3729.2025.1.47645

Keywords:

Advertising, SDGs, sustainability, 2030 Agenda, documentary analysis, Cannes Lions

Abstract

Inspired by the United Nations' 2030 Agenda, the Cannes Lions Festival incorporated the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) category into its award structure in 2018, aligning it with the Lions for Good initiative. Using documentary analysis, this research maps the sustainability causes endorsed and legitimized within what is considered the global stage of advertising. The study analyzes data from 131 winning campaigns in the SDG category, covering all awards from the 2018–2024 Cannes Lions editions. Findings reveal that while the campaigns address key environmental, economic, and social issues, they often prioritize symbolic narratives over structural change. Additionally, the initiatives exhibit limited geographical reach and ephemeral impact, highlighting the need for stronger alignment between advertising practices and the core principles of the 2030 Agenda.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biography

Rogério Covaleski, Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), Recife, PE, Brazil

PhD in Communication and Semiotics from the Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo (PUC-SP), with a postdoctoral degree in Brand Content from the University of Pompeu Fabra (UPF), in Barcelona, ​​Spain. Professor in the Postgraduate Program in Communication at the Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE). Leader of the Hybrid Advertising and Consumer Narratives Research Group (PHiNC). PQ-C scholarship holder (CNPq).

References

ALSALIM, F.; ETTER, M. Purpose-washing: What it is, and how to avoid it. King's Business School, 2023. Disponível em: https://bit.ly/4hmMQHW. Acesso em: 10 fev. 2025.

BARDIN, L. Análise de conteúdo. Lisboa: Edições 70, 2021.

BUSINESS Insider. Omnicom takeover of Interpublic to create the world's biggest advertising group. Disponível em: https://bit.ly/4ihpCEn. Acesso em: 10 fev. 2025.

CANNES LIONS. Find your pass for Cannes Lions 2025. Disponível em: https://bit.ly/43z6tJy. Acesso em: 10 fev. 2025.

CHAUMIER, J. Les techniques documentaires. Paris: PUF, 1989.

COVALESKI, R. Consumerismo e desenvolvimento sustentável na relação entre consumo e publicidade: críticas e resposta. In: Eneus Trindade; Maria Cristina Dias Alves; Clotilde Perez (org.). Mídia, Publicidade e Desafios do Contemporâneo. São Paulo: ECA-USP, 2024. p. 77-94.

COVALESKI, R. Sustentabilidade em pauta no grande palco da publicidade: observações e indagações sobre a relevância do Cannes Lions Festival. In: Juliana Petermann et al. (org.). Publicidade Contemporânea: pensamentos brasileiros. Santa Maria: UFSM, 2024. [no prelo]

ESGTODAY. U.S. Rejects UN Sustainable Development Goals. ESGToday, 2025. Disponível em: https://bit.ly/3DpNyq9. Acesso em: 7 mar. 2025.

IGLESIAS, M. E. D.; GÓMEZ, A. M. M. Análisis documental y de información: dos componentes de un mismo proceso. ACIMED, v. 2, n. 2, 2004.

JONES, P.; COMFORT, D.; HILLIER, D. Common Ground: The Sustainable Development Goals and the Marketing and Advertising Industry. Journal of Public Affairs, v. 18, n. 2, e1619, 2018. Disponível em: https://bit.ly/41CfH5h. Acesso em: 10 fev. 2025.

MARCONI, M. A.; LAKATOS, E. M. Fundamentos de metodologia científica. São Paulo: Atlas, 2016.

MARTINS, G. A.; THEÓPHILO, C. R. Metodologia da investigação científica para ciências sociais aplicadas. São Paulo: Atlas, 2016.

MOREIRA, S. V. Análise documental como método e técnica. In: DUARTE, J.; BARROS, A. (org.). Métodos e técnicas de pesquisa em comunicação. São Paulo: Atlas, 2012.

MOTAVALLI, J. The History of Greenwashing: How Dirty Towels Impacted the Green Movement. AOL News, 2011. Disponível em: https://bit.ly/3DrzmwS. Acesso em: 01 fev. 2025.

ROCHA, L. Como ser uma liderança inclusiva: fuja do diversitywashing e valorize a diversidade: seu guia para construir uma sociedade mais justa e uma empresa mais competitiva. São Paulo: Scortecci, 2017.

THE WORK. Create better with The Work. Disponível em: https://www.lovethework.com/. Acesso em: 10 fev. 2025.

Published

2025-10-28

How to Cite

Covaleski, R. (2025). The inconsistencies in the alliance between the advertising industry and the Sustainable Development Goals: an analytical mapping of sustainability actions awarded at the Cannes Lions Festival. Revista FAMECOS, 32(1), e47645. https://doi.org/10.15448/1980-3729.2025.1.47645

Issue

Section

Advertising and marketing