with Mikey Sadowski, Intrepid Travel
Ep. #225 of The Social Entrepreneurship & Innovation Podcast
Some companies use misleading marketing strategies to appear more environmentally friendly. For the ones that actually “walk the talk”, how do they separate their brand from this practice? One way is through setting ethical marketing guidelines
Mikey Sadowski is the GM (VP equivalent in North America) of Global PR and Communications at Intrepid Travel, the largest adventure travel company with 25 offices around the world, and networks with 28 destination management companies (DMCs). Intrepid Travel is also the largest travel B Corp that offers sustainable, experience-rich travel, prioritizes purpose over profit, sets ethical marketing guidelines, and has a not-to-profit foundation.
In this episode, Cory and Mikey talk about intentional allyship and inclusivity in travel and marketing, along with the philosophy, strategy, and marketing of purpose-driven brands in a world of greenwashing and impact washing. Mikey shares how people and brands, like Intrepid, work together to achieve their goals to grow, develop, protect, and maintain a strong public image by showing authenticity, setting ethical marketing standards, and doing simple and impactful work.
The full transcript for this episode and more can be found at SocialEntrepreneurship.FM/225.
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Intrepid Travel is the largest travel B Corp that offers sustainable, experience-rich travel, prioritizes purpose over profit, sets ethical marketing guidelines, and has a not-to-profit foundation.
A little over a year ago, Intrepid Travel officially published their ethical marketing guidelines.
Being from a marketing background myself, I took an interest.
Marketing, communications, and PR—not yet in the widespread conversation around what it means to be a “responsible business.”
But they should be.
Both who you message to and how you message are worth thinking deeply about.
It was a pleasure to talk with Mikey about this, as clearly, he is someone who has thought very seriously and sincerely about what it means to market ethically and responsibly.
Tune into this chat to hear about:
- Intentional allyship and inclusivity in travel and marketing
- Philosophy, strategy, and marketing of purpose-driven brands in a world of greenwashing and impact washing
- How people and brands, like Intrepid, maintain a strong public image by showing authenticity, setting ethical marketing standards, and doing simple yet impactful work
As always, don’t forget to sign up for my Better World Weekly Newsletter. This is a newsletter where I share all my learnings and musings on all things building a better world.
Enjoy,
-Cory Ames
Host, The Social Entrepreneurship & Innovation Podcast
“You can either be seen as the builder of the brand, or you can be seen as the one who’s trying to ‘protect the reputation at all costs’ type thing.”
— Mikey Sadowski, Intrepid Travel
Watch/Listen:
Links & Resources Mentioned
- Mikey Sadowski on Twitter, LinkedIn
- Intrepid Travel on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook
- The Intrepid Foundation
- Intrepid’s Ethical Marketing Guideline
- New York Times
- B Corporations
- Dr. Rachel Dodds on LinkedIn
- Dr. Sonya Graci on LinkedIn
- Dr. Susanne Etti on LinkedIn
- Fat Girls Traveling
- Unraveled: The Life and Death of a Garment by Maxine Bédat
- Allbirds
- Allbirds Adidas Collaboration
- Cory Ames on LinkedIn and Twitter
Related & Recommended
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- (Article) What is Sustainable Tourism & Why is it SO Important for the World Today?
- (Interview) How Individual Actions Contribute to Collective Action for the Planet, with Brett Jenks
- (Article) 21 Best Sustainable Travel Tips: From Plan to Your Post-Trip Travel Home
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About the Host
Cory Ames
Co-Founder & CEO, Grow Ensemble
Cory is the host of The Social Entrepreneurship & Innovation Podcast, where he’s interviewed well over 150 leaders in the space of better business, social impact, and innovation. Prior to Grow Ensemble, Cory was the CEO of a digital marketing agency, a position he earned at the age of 22. There, he became an expert on all things digital marketing & SEO.
Cory Co-Founded Grow Ensemble as a vehicle to raise awareness of and inspire action around some of the world’s biggest problems and problem solvers.
He blogs, podcasts, and publishes video on all things leaving the world a better, more just, equitable, and habitable place for all.
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