Irina Manole (Oxygen): „Consumers, partners and employees are increasingly asking for information about the companies’ sustainable practices”
Oxygen is the first integrated communications agency in Romania to offset its carbon footprint and become carbon-neutral. The agency also launches a new department providing companies strategic consulting and communication services on sustainability. These initiatives are part of Oxygen’s commitment to contribute to the fight against climate change and support companies on their business sustainability journey. AdHugger talked more details with Irina Manole, Head of Sustainability & CSR at Oxygen.
At Oxygen you consider that the brand reputation is built through authentic dialogue and great content. What happens in sustainability from this point of view?
Businesses have a substantial role to play in collective climate action and we see more and more how they use their influence to engage communities and build public appetite for sustainability. There is still a need for a lot of education on this subject, and effective marketing and communication campaigns can contribute to sustainability learning on many levels, by framing or shaping new perceptions or by building empathetic discourses that can change ways of thinking and behaving. Above all, it’s important not just to talk about being a sustainable business, but to practice what we preach and make sustainability part of the business-as-usual approach.
Moreover, at Oxygen, you decided to consider sustainability and the environment a true priority by becoming the first communication agency in Romania to be carbon neutral. What convinced you to take that decision and what is next for 2022-2023?…
BR Interview | Tereza Tranakas: We chose to adopt a future-ready mindset
The last two years have been one of the most challenging ones in recent history, with companies having to adapt and be very resilient and strong in order to survive a never-before-seen situation. With no means to compare it to anything else. Still, 2021 proved to be good for the Romanian marcomm industry, especially for those companies that knew how to drive the trends and be flexible.
BR talked with Tereza Tranakas, CEO at OXYGEN , about the year that just unfolded, pandemics, the agency’s growth, innovation, as well as what she expects and wishes for 2022.
How would you describe the year 2021 for Oxygen?
We’ve had a very active 2021, and I can refer to it as a recovery year after the pandemic stroke in 2020, when the entire advertising industry was hit hard. Last year we saw some positive signs of recovery giving us hope for what’s to come. Our agency’s achievements in 2021 were many: from innovative and award-winning projects for existing clients, to many new client wins for both our Bucharest and Cluj offices. At Oxygen, we have a fantastic client portfolio across many industries from telecoms, technology, appliances, energy, banking & finance, FMCGs, entertainment, gaming, real estate, heavy industry, fashion and more…
Oxygen in 2022: ascending to new summits
Despite the current ongoing pandemic context and uncertain economic perspectives that we are currently traversing, I find many reasons to remain optimistic about what lies ahead for us. Our mission at Oxygen to help brands and companies connect in an authentic way with their audiences is even more prevalent today, when authentic dialogue is even more valued and needed.
We’ve had a very active 2021, and I can refer to it as a recovery year after the pandemic stroke in 2020, when the entire advertising industry was hit hard. Last year we saw some positive signs of recovery giving us hope for what’s to come. Our agency’s achievements in 2021 were many: from innovative and award-winning projects for existing clients, to many new client wins for both Bucharest and Cluj offices. We have a fantastic client portfolio across many industries from telecoms, technology, appliances, energy, FMCGs, entertainment, gaming, real estate, heavy industry, fashion and more.
In spite of the uncertainty, in 2021 we chose to adopt a future-ready mindset and to continue our investments in expanding the team across all departments and disciplines. We strengthened our brains & muscles so that we are even fitter and better equipped to play and remain competitive in the big league.
I am grateful to my seasoned colleagues who have been with Oxygen for many years and have contributed tremendously to where we are today. The ride has not been easy, but it’s been rewarding. And I am equally enthusiastic for the newer colleagues that have joined our team in the past couple of years, bringing their passion and drive to our agency.
So, what’s next?
Well, 2022 will be no easy feast either. We are operating in a challenging environment if we are to look at macroeconomic indicators: high inflation, higher cost of living, huge costs of energy and so on. This not only affects our own pockets, but also has a significant impact on our clients’ bottom lines. Marketing budgets may be impacted, so we have to act with prudence. At the same time, we need to remain relevant, competitive and continue our growth. Overcoming hurdles, our objective remains sustained growth.
At the same time, there are new summits to climb, as we aim to explore opportunities for growth from areas such as sustainability, employer branding, digital, new social channels, content creation and more. One of the reasons I love to work in our industry, even +20 years from when I started, is that I never get bored. There’s always something new, we’re always learning something new, a new skill set, new platforms and we constantly develop ourselves. I consider myself lucky in this respect.
This year, we’ll also continue strengthening our team in order to support the growth we are targeting. Furthermore, we want to keep alive the Oxygen spirit – the one on the basis of which our company was founded and where team members are encouraged to be open, truthful, accountable and to share both the hardships & rewards. I want to build a culture that centers on our commitment to a growth mindset for us an agency and for our customers. This growth mindset served us well during the past year of crisis, disruption, and transformation. It drives our passion and enables us to work together as a team.
I can commit to relentlessly push forward and develop our Oxygen, because I do it with a mind and heart for business. I feel I can conquer the mountains and summit any summit because I have my A-team by my side, even in the face of constraints.