LONDON — Nespresso UK and Ireland has appointed Third City as its first retained sustainability communications agency, after a competitive pitch.

The B Corp agency has a strategic brief to reinforce the Nestlé global coffee brand’s sustainability commitments to consumers, with a focus on highlighting the recyclability of its aluminium-based capsules and showcasing its local and coffee farming community initiatives, underlined by its own B Corp certification in 2022.

Third City will be responsible for planning activity that runs across functions, including earned media, digital, CRM, e-commerce and in Nespresso boutiques, to reach existing customers and broader audiences.

The brand’s UK consumer account continues to be held by Alfred, which was appointed last year.

To support the new win and the agency's growing consumer, not-for-profit and sustainability portfolio, Third City has appointed a new partner. Director Zana Francis, a corporate, issues and sustainability specialist who joined from Lansons in 2014, has been appointed a partner in the agency, making her the agency's seventh equity partner. Francis, who led on the agency's B Corp certification, will lead the Nespresso account.

Nestlé Nespresso UK and Ireland communications manager Katie Burt said: “Third City’s strategic thinking and creativity stood out from the very start of the pitch process – we’re excited to have them on board.”

Third City partner Susanna Francis added: “Nespresso has an incredible sustainability story to tell, from its commitment to driving up recycling rates, initiatives to increase the resilience of coffee farming communities, to collaborating to give capsules a second life. Our programme will show how coffee can be a force for good.”

The agency’s client roster also includes car maker Kia, which appointed Third City earlier this year to support the launch of its new electric vehicle, sustainable energy business Gridserve, FTSE 250 Homeserve, fintech unicorn Bitpanda and the National Fostering Group.