PPAI • JUNE 2026 • 79 The Best Marketing Programs | Must Read Cause Advocacy GOLD Whitestone Objective: RISE (Renewable Impact & Sustainable Excellence) is Whitestone’s holistic sustainability platform designed to embed responsible practices across its supply chain, culture and client programs. The objective was to create a branded, credible framework that activated employees, clients and vendors while delivering measurable results. Strategy & Execution: Through RISE, the company embedded sustainability into every facet of its business, from sourcing to shipping. Projects included building a tiered supplier framework that channeled more money toward environmentally and socially responsible partners, educating clients about sustainable options, emissions tracking and supplier code of conduct adoption, empowering clients to choose solutions with reduced environmental impact and setting up transformational change across operations, policies and partnerships. Results: Whitestone invested more than $300,000 to support consulting, certifications, charitable giving and promotional products, resulting in more than $208,000 in cash and in-kind donations, 345 ocean bottles funding the collection of 345,000 plastic bottles, outfitting 60-plus employees with sustainable apparel, 345 client kits launched alongside a webinar attended by more than 60 people, and supporting 24 employees who built an AquaTower that provides clean water to 1,800 people daily. SILVER HPG Brands Objective: Each August, as school gets back in session, HPG’s Hub donates its misprinted pens and pencils, collected throughout the year, to underserved school classrooms across the U.S. Strategy & Execution: To determine recipients, Hub emails its distributor network of 17,527 contacts asking for school nominations. The company uses recycled shipping boxes to package the donations, and distributors cover the cost of shipping. Supporting assets include a colorful flyer for the sales team to use in one-on-one outreach and a printed card included with each donation box. Results: Now in its fourth year, the company’s Back-To-School Pen Giveaway program has donated more than 87,000 pens and pencils to students. It’s a win for everyone involved: Students get needed supplies, distributors have a collaborative way to give back and support their communities, and Hub reduces waste, repurposes its resources and makes a difference where it matters most – in the classroom.
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