The impression-driven media industry calls for one thing to boost reach: lasting impact. Agencies and brands have often looked to leave great impressions on people, but more companies are seeking to drive deeper impact in the larger society and the planet. In an industry seemingly fixated on driving ROI, discussions are shifting towards creating significant influence.
This shift has prompted independent media agency JOLT Digital towards transformation. Having recently become one of the few media agencies in Asia to receive a B Corp certification, JOLT is redefining what it means to be a responsible player in marketing.
In an exclusive interview with Sebastien Lepez, founder and CEO of JOLT Digital, he shares the agency’s journey towards sustainability. He details how the agency’s operations are changing, sharing his vision and hopes for the wider media industry in the future.
Shifting to the B Corp path
The turning point for JOLT came when the company expanded its footprint into the European market. Landing in London in late 2023, Sebastien was struck by the prevalence of the sustainability conversation.
“In Europe, this is a key topic in the industry. I therefore started to look at how JOLT could join the discussion and contribute to limiting CO₂ emissions,” he shared.
While carbon reduction remains an essential goal, JOLT quickly realised that true transformation meant looking beyond emissions. The team began to explore certification options that would encompass not just environmental impact, but also social responsibility and governance.
“We started looking at the B Corporation certification that not only aims to have a positive impact on the environment but also on society, ensuring the future of younger generations,” he said.
This broader lens made sense for JOLT. As an agency powered by people, the company wanted to create a lasting and meaningful impact internally as well as externally.
“Our industry would not be what it is without its people. That’s why I thought it would also be important to impact society and our people,” he said.
Embedding sustainability from policy to people
Sustainability and great impact have many aspects. It is a comprehensive framework that is not always an easy one to navigate. Embarking on a journey towards a larger impact in society, JOLT found that the process can be overwhelming, but doable.
“We were guided by the B Corp process and their dashboard that addresses all areas that can drive a positive impact. We had to change many things within the company to be able to score points in the dashboard and thus drive a positive impact,” Sebastien said.
This internal culture shift is now embedded in JOLT’s long-term strategic vision, making it a part of everyday operations.
“We are working on a shift in mentality at the office, ensuring office supplies are all from sustainable partners or second-hand where possible. We are close to not having single-use plastics brought into the office as we incentivise reusable options, and we have policies to avoid wasting too much water and energy—lights off from 6 p.m., for example,” Sebastien said.
Beyond the office, JOLT is also extending these efforts to its partners.
Sebastien shared, “Another major milestone was the introduction of a Supplier Code of Conduct, ensuring all third-party vendors adhere to the same social and environmental standards that JOLT upholds internally.”
Catalysing change in the industry
While JOLT’s B Corp certification is still new, its influence is already being felt in its client conversations. As an indie agency with notable recognition, it is gaining interest among prospective clients.
“Some of our clients are putting sustainability as one of their priorities. Now with our B Corp certification, we have more credibility to participate in those conversations and drive efforts together,” Sebastien said.
However, JOLT’s mission goes beyond client wins, aiming to lead by example in the industry, especially in Asia, where the sustainability discussion is not as prioritised as in other markets.
“The B Corp certification is not yet well known in Asia, even more so in the agency industry. That was also a reason why I wanted to get the certification. I wanted to open the way for other agencies in Asia to also consider being a B Corp or at least understand what it is,” he explained.
“I believe we have a role to transform our industry and show the way. By being among the first in the region to take this step, JOLT hopes to inspire a wave of transformation that goes beyond trend-driven CSR campaigns. The ultimate vision is for sustainability to be ingrained across the entire ecosystem—agencies, brands, and consumers alike,” he added.
Hoping to inspire a wave of transformation across the industry, JOLT envisions an ecosystem marked by great impact, from agencies and brands to customers themselves. As sustainability continues to become a norm, JOLT’s adoption of B Corp principles offers a blueprint for others to follow. More than future-proofing the agency, JOLT is helping shape the future of the industry itself, leading to a larger impact.
