19. Who Gives a Crap, brand purpose, and toilet paper with Vanessa Morrish.

How does an ecommerce based, social business create a global movement of mindful consumers, provide sanitation facilities to impoverished communities, and do a crapload of good for the environment? All while giving away 50% of their profits.

In episode 19 of The B-side, I speak to Vanessa Morrish, Head of Creative and Brand at ‘Who Gives A Crap’ an Australian based toilet paper company that makes toilet paper rolls, that feature D&AD award winning designs made from forest friendly materials; either 100% recycled paper or bamboo. They donate fifty percent of all their profits towards building toilets and sanitation facilities for people in developing countries. Having just announced their most recent donation of $5.85 million.

Vanessa and I talk about her experience in the advertising industry where she worked for some of the big agency networks on some of the worlds biggest brands. How her passion for the environment inspired her to start a side project called ‘Be An Unfucker’ – a platform to encourage people to stop fucking up the planet by being more mindful consumers. And how this passion and her need for greater purpose led to a role where she could apply her creativity towards something she actually gave a shit about.

We lift the lid on the ‘Who Gives a Crap’ brand, the importance of their fun and non-preachy tone of voice, along with how she ensures everyone within the organisation helps shape the direction of the brand creatively. And we talk about some of the professional challenges she's faced due to COVID-19, like working remotely while leading an in-house team of creatives based in LA. Along with the struggles of maintaining a work-life balance, now the lines have blurred between home and the workspace.

Vanessa is an incredibly humble, insightful, and super cool cat. Quietly fighting to improve the health of communities in need, and the environment, with a creative irreverence that I absolutely love. It was such a refreshing, honest and inspiring chat, I know you’re going to love it. Cheers.

Learn more about 'Who Gives a Crap' here: https://au.whogivesacrap.org
And check out Vanessa Morrish's side project 'Be and Unfucker' here: http://beanunfucker.com