SMH: Mr Sustainability pours some oil on troubled waters. An interview with WWF’s recently appointed CEO. (Disclosure: for those that don’t know I work at WWF-Australia in the comms team)

The article focuses mainly on his previous job, but it’s still an interesting read. One of his comments in the article caught my attention: “I was a person first before I was an oilman, but behind every job title is an individual with his or her own deeply held values.”

The reason it stood out was that last night I finally had a chance to watch The Corporation. In it Shell’s CEO says some very similar things. BP and Shell, IMO, are far from angels, but The Corporation does show that the individuals in these organisations, sometimes in positions of significant influence, seem to be aware of the issues and in some cases are attempting to shift the 40 tonne gorillas that they lead in new directions. Success in this regard varies dramatically, and then there are those that don’t do anything, but it is promising nonetheless.

As an aside, The Corporation was an awesome doco - well worth watching. But be forewarned - it’s a long one coming in at about two and a half hours. Regardless it is an excellent piece of work. I certainly got a lot out of it and it prompted me to think about a few things in new ways. Check it out if you haven’t already.

Coupla quick notes:

• The voiceover artist strongly reminded me of the intro to two of the “historical” Animatrix segments. Wondering if it’s the same person?
• Before I’d even seen Naomi Klein on screen I knew it was her just by the words she used (I’ve not heard her speak before). Just goes to show how deep an impact her book No Logo had on me.
• In the bit about advertising to kids, I recognised just how removed you can get when you think in marketing and communications land. Everyone becomes “targets” and it’s easy to lose sight of the individuals that you may be affecting. Something to think about in my new line of work.
• I couldn’t help but think we, in Australia, are heading rapidly down the same path as the States - in media ownership, politics, privatisation and corporate law. And this process is only going to dramatically speed up over the next three years when Howard and co. gain control of the senate.