Sustainable Brands ‘09 Closes With Promise for Increased Innovation and Dialogue With the Consumer

Despite Tough Economic Times, Consumers’ Desire for “A Better Life” Drives Environmental and Social Change among Sustainability Leaders

MONTEREY, Calif., June 4 /PRNewswire/ — Sustainable Brands ‘09 (SB’09), the preeminent international conference for discussing the rapid rise of sustainability as a driver for revenue growth and brand equity, wrapped up today after three days of important conversation and the sharing insights and strategies that will lead sustainable change in the 21st century.

As businesses enter into a new age of responsibility, science, along with an understanding of human emotion and empathy, drove many of the discussions as thought leaders and visionaries shared their ideas on the future of sustainability in the context of how brands can support our collective instinct to preserve and maintain the greater good for future generations.

“Building a meaningful relationship with consumers was also a recurring theme throughout this year’s presentations. Increased transparency and authenticity remain critical for companies looking to successfully meet the growing demand for more environmentally and socially innovative product and service solutions,” said KoAnn Vikoren Skrzyniarz, founder and CEO of Sustainable Life Media. “To reiterate what many speakers said this week, ‘it’s essentially about values plus value.’”

Sustainable Brands ‘09 gathered more than 650 brand leaders from around the country and internationally; participating companies included Adidas, Ben & Jerry’s, Bumble Bee Tuna, Clorox, Coca-Cola, Dell, eBay, Frito Lay, HP, Kaiser Permanente, Nestle Purina, Office Depot, REI, SC Johnson, Starbucks, Williams Sonoma, Yahoo and an unprecedented list of other new and established organizations.

News from SB ‘09 and announcements made by sustainability innovators include:

EkoHub (www.ekohub.com) announced the formation of CSRHUB, a business that delivers values-based ratings of corporate social responsibility to socially-conscious individuals. The ratings allow evaluation and comparison of company environmental, governance, social, employment and community issues.

Go Green Displays (www.gogreendisplays.com), the leader in environmentally-friendly event displays and exhibits, unveiled its first-ever 100% cardboard Internet workstations and lounge at the show. This 100% recyclable and collapsible furniture costs 50% less than traditional units to ship, folds flat, and is strong enough to hold equipment and people.

NextEra(TM) Energy Resources (www.earthera.com), the largest producer of wind and solar energy in North America, announced a new initiative for its EarthEra(TM) brand with EcoMedia, the world’s premier environmental media company. This strategic alliance offers carbon-offset advertising for clients who buy television, radio, print and outdoor advertising. One hundred percent of the carbon-offset advertising funds collected will go to the EarthEra(TM) Renewable Energy Trust to build additional renewable energy facilities, helping cities across America fulfill their local Climate Action Plans.

Earth Aid, a new service that measures home energy consumption trends and pays users based on how much they save, won the New Venture Exchange contest, which included an iPhone application (valued at $30,000), developed by 3rdWhale Media. Audience favorite Localicious, provider of fresh and locally sourced meals for people on the go was runner up for its healthy fleet of “taco truck” model.

San Diego Zoo (www.sandiegozoo.org) announced a partnership with growth strategy firm Jump Associates to develop new sources of revenue and a sustainable growth strategy that will build upon ongoing conservation efforts at the Zoo, Wild Animal Park, and Beckman Center for Conservation Research.

Sea Change Design Consortium (www.seachangedesign.com) launched with inaugural members in the disciplines of design thinking, business strategy, consumer research, branding, public relations, interactive design, organizational development and sustainability. The tightly knit web of consultants (Alben Design, Communications4Good, Design Uprising, Fit Associates, Heller Communications Design, The Murson Group) is committed to designing a life-enhancing world by surfacing viable solutions to today’s serious economic, social, and environmental challenges.

Sustainable Group(TM) (www.rebinder.com) announced that each of its products made from bending chipboard is now certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FCS), including the company’s flagship product, the ReBinder(TM), a recycled 3-ring binder. Sustainable Group offers an innovative line of recycled sales, training and event supplies.

Sustainable Minds(TM) (www.sustainableminds.com) launched a monthly Ecodesign and Life Cycle Assessment Workshop Series for Companies Aspiring to Create Greener Products. The goal of the workshops is to encourage effective use of whole product systems design and proven life cycle assessment to help designers, engineers, product managers and educators learn what is required for designing innovative and more environmentally sustainable products.

UL Environment Inc. (www.ulenvironment.com) announced it has validated environmental claims for Serious Materials’ new drywall product, EcoRock(TM). This represents the first validation of claims by UL Environment – a wholly-owned subsidiary of UL – since its launch in January 2009, and the first product in the 115-year history of Underwriters Laboratories (UL) to receive an Environmental Claims Validation.

Sustainable Brands 2010 will be held June 7-10 at the Monterey Conference Center.

About Sustainable Life Media

A business-to-business online community, e-newsletter and event company located in Burlingame, CA, Sustainable Life Media (SLM) is home for business professionals looking to build new value and competitive advantage by innovating more sustainable strategies, practices and products. SLM delivers top news stories related to the what, who and how of environmental and social innovation, and helps community members connect with thought leaders, peers, partners and solutions providers that can help them quickly reach their goals. For more information, please visit: http://www.sustainablelifemedia.com/about. To subscribe to SLM Newsletters, free, please visit http://www.sustainablelifemedia.com/newsletters.

Contact: Sandy Skees, PR Rep 831-332-4387, sandy@communications4good.com