Innocean CEO vows to build 'healthy business ecosystem' with stakeholders

Innocean has published its 2025 Sustainability Report, outlining the advertising firm's ESG management achievements and future vision.

The report — the first issued under CEO Kim Jeong-a — highlights the company's record gross profit of 990.2 billion won ($658 million) achieved last year, along with a description of its enhanced ESG framework, the company said Wednesday.

"Last year, we achieved the best business results in our history while also becoming the only company in the advertising industry to receive an overall A rating from the Korea Institute of Corporate Governance and Sustainability," Kim said. "We will leap forward as a solution partner based on our AX strategy, and build a healthy business ecosystem that grows together with our stakeholders."

To align with global disclosure regulations, Innocean structured its reporting around the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) framework's four pillars: governance, strategy, risk management, and metrics and targets.

Through a "double materiality assessment," the company identified four core issues — employee capability development and education, diversity and inclusion, human rights management, and partner sustainability management — and designated climate change response as a strategic issue.

A double materiality assessment evaluates not only the impact a company's business activities have on the environment and society, but also the financial impact that environmental and social factors have on the company, treating both dimensions with equal weight.

This year's special section spotlights Innocean's creative capabilities and AI-driven innovation. Featured highlights include "Night Fishing," a campaign shot entirely on a Hyundai Motor Company Ioniq 5's built-in camera that won the Grand Prix at the 2025 Cannes Lions, as well as the company's AX mid-to-long-term strategy for its future vision.

The report also covers campaigns that created social value by blending technology and public interest — among them Binggrae's "Liberation Day You've Never Heard," which swept three awards at the Korea Advertising Awards; the Ministry of Health and Welfare's "No-Dam Social Club"; Karrot and the Korean National Police Agency's missing-persons campaign "Come Back Home"; and the social space rebranding project "Safe Bathhouse."