Premium digital out of home (DOOH) media owner Ocean Outdoor has reopened its advertising fund which gives free space to environmental charities and non-profits that are working to save the planet.

Under the Drops in the Ocean initiative, Ocean Outdoor donates 2% of the Group’s annual reported revenue to environmental charities in the form of advertising value across the company’s extensive UK digital screen network.

Organisations and causes associated with the preservation of land, nature, the oceans, global warming, pollution, sustainability and the climate emergency are invited to tap into the Drops in The Ocean fund to advertise their messages, latest campaigns and promote fundraising appeals.

The programme gives charities and causes a chance to appear at scale across some of Ocean UK’s premium DOOH advertising locations in 16 cities.

Last year, six charities benefited from the advertising fund including Pipal Tree, the Blue Marine Foundation, Cool Earth, Justdiggit, the Marine Conservation Society and Our Only World.

This year Ocean is seeking applications in particular from those who are working to improve local communities and habitats, protecting our rivers, ocean and marine life and programmes that are tackling critical issues such as food, energy and packaging waste.

Ocean Outdoor chief marketing officer Richard Malton said: “2023 will be a difficult year for charities and non-profits which puts the onus on us to help bring attention and generate support for causes and initiatives which are working to preserve and improve our communities, neighbourhoods, natural habitats and oceans.

“This fund allows us to collectively address and take action on a wide spectrum of environmental and sustainability problems, many of which are even closer to home and will impact all of us in 2023.”

The organisations selected will receive pro-bono creative consultancy and advertising space during a nine month period. The closing date for applications is February 7th, with shortlisted organisations invited to submit short pitches in the week of February 13th.

What last year’s beneficiaries say about Drops In The Ocean

Justdiggit UK country manager Stuart Taylor said: “The Drops in the Ocean scheme has been so amazing for Justdiggit as we believe there is no more effective medium for boosting awareness than out of home media. Justdiggit is on a mission to regreen sub-Saharan Africa and our positive, vibrant approach to the climate crisis resonates well with a broad audience.

“Unusually for a non-profit, we don’t ask for money, we just show the impact of restoring nature at scale, in a simple, engaging way, and although we are biased, we think it looks fantastic on large digital screens.”

Our Only World founder Tina Robinson said: “A small charity like Our Only World would never have had the opportunity to have that exposure across the UK. It’s been an incredible privilege to work with Ocean Outdoor. My eyes have been opened to creativity.“

To be considered for this year’s scheme, applicants should enter here or email Dropsintheocean@oceanoutdoor.com