“The Ecopreneur” Content Series
A partnership between FORTUNE Brand Studio and Salesforce gave birth to a content series called "The Ecopreneur," with the agenda to combat climate change and inspire businesses, everyday people, and creatives like you and me.
I served as FBS creative producer for Fortune Brand Studio on this special long-form climate action series, a one-of-a-kind “ecopreneur movement” streaming series created exclusively for the Salesforce+ platform. The series also featured a dynamic content hub, custom-built by the Fortune Brand Studio team in collaboration with the Salesforce team.
Series Trailer:
Scroll down to find some of my favorite snippets from the project, along with previously unshared stills I captured on 35mm.
Episode 6
The disparities in access to safe drinking water and universal energy are real. It’s an issue that impacts billions of lives every day.
Salesforce and FORTUNE Brand Studio traveled to Arezzo, Italy, and Nyamirama, Rwanda, to see how OffGridBox CEO Jodie Wu and cofounders Emiliano Cecchini and Davide Bonsignore are working to address these challenges.
CLICK HERE to be directed to the Fortune custom content hub to find out more
Or watch the full show, Episode 6, on Salesforce+.
ᨒᨒ all videos produced be me and edit by Greg Sucharew. Episode 6-11 respectively.
Episode 6_OffGridBox
OffGridBox uses technological innovation to provide clean water and renewable energy to populations experiencing the worst effects of climate change.
Inside the making of The Ecopreneurs EP 6 (spot me in blue)
Sunset down in Nyamirama Village, 35mm.
Episode 7
Episode 7_Coral Vita
Earthshot Prize-winning Coral Vita is using breakthrough methods to restore coral reefs that 1 billion people and a multitude of marine life depend on globally.
For entrepreneur
Sam Teicher, the magic of coral reefs has
captivated him since he first
learned to scuba dive
at 13 years old.
But he never thought he’d need to dedicate his life to saving these essential underwater ecosystems from extinction due to effects of climate change.
CLICK HERE to read Sam’s Q&A w/ Megan Gilbert on Fortune Hub.
How the Coral Vita team (lovely ppl, as you can see, shot on 35mm) is leading the charge to restore coral reefs.
Through innovative restoration methods, the Bahamas-based company is raising corals using accelerated growth and improved resiliency methods on its land-based farms and outplanting them into degraded reefs.
To learn more about the process, watch it on Salesforce+.
Episode 8
NFW is harnessing
the power of plants
to
reduce
our reliance on plastics.
Eric Liedtke, co-founder, and CEO of UNLESS Collective, is in frame with Luke viewing an all-plant, zero-plastic sneaker.
The Degenerate sneaker by UNLESS Collective, outsole material is NFW Pilant natural rubber.
Episode 8_NFW (Natural Fiber Wielding)
This Peoria, Illinois-based company is pioneering naturally circular, plastic-free textiles that deliver style, performance, and scale. We're talking non-toxic, plant-based stuff, such as car interiors, fashion bags, wallets, fashion statement pieces, and material objects that can safely decompose back to the earth after discarded. No regrets.
Episode trailer: HERE ←
Full show: HERE ←
Click 2 watch ⚡
“Our job is to help those brands make products with all natural nutrients, instead of making those things from polluting, finite fossil petroleum-based resources.”
- Luke Haverval
A fabric revolution designed to scale
Episode 9
Episode 9_Plant-for-the-Planet
Felix Finkbeiner founded Plant-for-the-Planet, an organization focused on global reforestation and conservation efforts. This movement nurtures young people to take action against the climate crisis.
Through climate education, the mission is to inspire a growing network of youth activists with a simple message: plant more trees.
Empowering the youth with a homegrown solution to a movement with multiple branches is a solid, praiseworthy endeavor worth steering.
Discover how Felix’s team achieves this.
Did you know planting
seeds
for
the future originate from
the past?
Inspired by the work of Wangarĩ Maathai, an environmental activist from Kenya who started a movement in 1977 to plant 30 million trees over 30 years across Africa.
One woman’s bad ass dedication made an impression on the young Felix and fueled his sense of purpose.
So v cool.
READ ABOUT IT HERE
On Location in
Campeche, Mexico.
EPISODE 10
Kailua-Kona, HI.
Home of the supreme "magical" seaweed Limu Kohu.
Episode 10_Symbrosia
Symbrosia is a cleantech startup that aims to make the animal agriculture industry carbon-neutral by supplementing cows' feed with a product called SeaGraze™.
We talked w/
Alexia Akbay of Symbrosia.
The under-30 Ecopreneur behind the innovative solution SeaGraze™.
Imagine being 21 years old and studying to become a medical doctor. While researching, you come across intriguing scientific studies about a type of red algae called Asparagopsis taxiformis. Scientists in Australia have identified this marine plant species as an effective solution for reducing methane emissions when fed to livestock, which accounts for approx 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions. A year later, captivated by the possibilities, you realize that no one is currently working on producing red algae at scale. Recognizing a gap in the market, you decide to take action, from Turkey to Hawaii.
Meet Alexia Akbay, a young ecopreneur who has taken matters into her own hands. In a Q&A session with Megan Gilbert, Alexia shares her motivation for combating climate change and discusses how Indigenous Hawaiian culture has shaped her perspective. Her insights reflect her journey as a foreign settler striving to coexist with and draw from the region's natural resources.
To gain a deeper understanding of her eco journey and her commitment to preserving Hawaiian culture and knowledge,
CLICK HERE ← for an informative and invaluable read.
“I’ve realized that, as a foreigner in Hawaii, I’m responsible for preserving the knowledge and culture here.”
- Alexia Akbay
Episode 11
A plague of plastic and “ghost” gear in the ocean
Episode 11_PMDP
The Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project (PMDP) focuses on ocean waste removal missions, community engagement, and educational resources in the enduring fight against marine pollution.
One million pounds of marine debris pose a significant threat to the sacred Hawaiian national monument, presenting a harsh reality for locals who recognize the islands' cultural importance. In Hawaiian culture, the monument symbolizes the origin of all life and serves as a resting place for spirits after death. This conscious concern necessitates special attention and well-organized cleanup efforts.
Based in Oʻahu, Hawaii, the nonprofit PMDP has collected half a million pounds of plastic waste. It comes as no surprise that the Fortune and Salesforce teams sat down with the admirable PMDP team to discuss their worthy cause.
Kevin O’Brien, Founder and CEO, has spent decades at sea. His work with NOAA brought him to the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, where he recognized the need for greater protection of this sacred site. Read more about him HERE.
James Monoka, Executive Director and Chief Scientist, co-leads and manages PMDP’s large-scale marine debris removal operations alongside O’Brien.
Kaʻehukai (Grant) Groin, a Field Team Member and Hawaiian native, was taught from a young age that ‘āina [the land] is our most important resource.
Sydney Luitgaarden, Marine Debris Technician and Marine Biologist, is devoted to saving endangered ecosystems and habitats beyond mere dreaming.
Charlotte Frank is a Marine Debris Technician and Drone Operator. Her role is crucial in scanning debris on coral reefs during missions.
Explore PMDP ocean stewardship and support their mission by visiting www.pmdphawaii.org.
Megan Gilbert
VP and Executive Editorial Director of FORTUNE Brand Studio joyfully captured on set ♡
How cleaning up marine debris on remote Hawaiian islands saves
oceans for us all
Shot on location in
O‘ahu, Hawaii
Boat Captain
Vin Alloca
in
Kāne‘ohe
Bay, HI.
Vin, with his relaxed vibe and stylish hat, was recommended by the PMDP team to take us to sea—he shared a small stash of salty & sweet dried plum candy with me on deck. I couldn’t resist his natural, easygoing steeze 📷 on 35mm ☀︎
That’s a wrap
on the Eco Series!
Stills & Video Creative Producer
studio@phithithach.com ☀︎