Getting to know Greenhouse: Jenny Briggs
Greenhouse
The Greenhouse team lives and breathes our mission to drive positive social and environmental change and no one more so than the fabulous Jenny Briggs. Described by Telegraph journalist Hattie Garlick as the Mary Poppins of PR, Jenny’s been nominated for ‘Rising Star of the Year’ at this week’s PRCA DARE awards. Tune in on Thursday to find out whether our rising star gets the gong!
Tell us, in 20 words or fewer, what’s your background?
I’ve previously worked for not-for-profit organisations, such as the organic charity Soil Association and surplus food organisation FareShare.
What motivates you?
I love being able to work in partnership with innovative organisations that are changing our world for the better. Food and supply chains is an area that really fascinates me and making a positive impact in that sector has always been my ambition.
What kinds of companies do you work with?
I manage a diverse range of PR and digital campaigns in the food and conservation sectors.
Every day at Greenhouse is unique and I could be working on improving children’s food with Organix, the organic baby and toddler brand, campaigning to save our soils with the Sustainable Soils Alliance or supporting an ambitious target to increase canopy cover in Bristol with the Woodland Trust.
Describe a recent campaign you’ve worked on that excites you.
It would have to be launching a nationwide junk-busting campaign with Organix and TV personality and food investigator, Cherry Healey. Organix have worked tirelessly to pioneer healthy children’s food and I relished being able to deliver impactful coverage that will help parents to make good choices and improve standards on the baby and toddler food aisle.
Who are your top three dream clients?
Working with organic pioneers Wessanen would be a dream as they represent some of my favourite brands – Whole Earth, Kallo and Clipper teas. Like me, they believe that industrialisation of food has created a disconnect between humans and the natural world, with disastrous environmental and social consequences.
Chocolate is my first love and I am deeply motivated by the work that Divine Chocolate do to empower farmers in Ghana. Divine Chocolate is co-owned by the 85,000 farmer members of Kuapa Kokoo, the cooperative in Ghana that supplies the cocoa for each bar of Divine. As owners, they get a share in the profits, a say in the company, and a voice in the global marketplace.
We are in the midst of a reusable cup revolution! Keepcup are tackling plastic waste and the impact that our love affair with single use coffee cups has had on the environment by creating their own stylish range of reusable cups. I have my own Keepcup and am one of their ‘everyday changemakers’ but would love to help them continue to drive change among consumers and organisations.
Can you recommend a life- or game-changing book?
‘Waterlog’ or ‘Wildwood – A Journey Through Trees’ by Roger Deakin. Both of these books are beautifully written explorations of our relationship with the natural world. They are a mix of autobiography, natural history and traveller anecdotes but are life-affirming and will make you want to run outside or jump in a river.
What do you listen to when you’re cooking dinner?
My cooking music is usually anything with a bit of a groove – Chaka Khan, Bobby Womack or Gill Scott-Heron are regular kitchen headliners.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
“Every time you spend money, eat a meal or watch a film, you’re casting a vote for the kind of world you want.”
This is something that I try to remember every day which is not always easy when all of my social media feeds are flooded with the latest clothes and gadgets.
Finally, who is your eco-hero?
There are too many to choose from! Ron Finley A.K.A the gangsta gardener and the brilliant Sara Venn from Edible Bristol are my eco-heroes for the work they have done to bring gardening and food into an urban context.
I also went to a talk with Rob Greenfield last year and found his work incredibly inspiring. I was struck by his dedication to rebel against our innate desire to have money in order to embrace a lifestyle that works in harmony with the environment. Perhaps we can’t all follow Rob to make dramatic changes like existing without a bank account or choosing not to shower, but it has made me think about what I can do, in my everyday life, to reduce my environmental footprint.
Are you a sustainability pioneer looking to tell your stories and increase your impact through PR and digital campaigns? If so, get in touch with Jenny on jenny.briggs@greenhousepr.co.uk
