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Clare Munn: Owner of The Communication Group helps clients think 'green'
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Growing up in Zimbabwe helped Clare Munn think environmentally.
SAN FRANCISCO (Map, News) - Clare Munn brings an unusually global environmental and humanitarian perspective to the advertising and branding industry, which she credits in part to her childhood in Africa.
As owner of The Communication Group, a leading creative consulting agency, she helps clients reach “green” certification standards — at no extra charge.
Growing up in Zimbabwe helped impart an environmental sensibility, according to Munn.
“I lived in a city [Harare] the size of San Francisco, but 10 minutes down the road, there are elephants,” Munn said. “Wilderness and the environment were an integral part of your upbringing or living day to day.”
“We had to be resourceful,” she said. “[After independence from Britain in 1980,] we grew up with sanctions. We didn’t have candles. Maybe your neighbors had candles and we had a bag of sugar, so you shared things.”
That resourcefulness has carried over into her current work on many levels. TCG recently refurnished its office, but instead of purchasing desks, it made them from old doors laid on scaffolding. This reduced waste, saved money and became a source of office pride.
The mind-set also spills over into TCG’s client services. Munn said the company, which provides consulting for branding, strategy, advertising and interactive services, does its best to streamline operations, both internally and for clients, by eliminating redundancies.
Munn said TCG aims to help its clients make a difference, but doesn’t want the company to be misunderstood as a group of “do-gooders” or “radicals.”
“Sustainability has two meanings,” Munn said. “One is anchored in longevity and your strategy, and the other in the green meaning.”
Munn also pursues humanitarian missions outside her businesses. She has founded nongovernment organizations including Environment Africa and Cool the World, helped manage Eco-Tech and Fresh Start Farms and worked with selfhelp.org, which has trained tens of thousands of Kenyan farmers in sustainable farming.
In Zimbabwe, Munn advised AIDS programs and supported a film project on sustainable farming in villages outside Harare. But measuring her words due to concern for family still living there, Munn said she must do more for her home country, which she has not visited since before Sept. 11, 2001.
Recent Zimbabwean elections turned to chaos when, after early signals an opposition party may have won the vote, the country’s leader, Robert Mugabe, stalled in releasing election numbers. The largely agricultural country has struggled for years now with political violence, runaway inflation and a failing economy.
“I do so many pro bono, nonprofit things and none of them have been loudly enough about Zimbabwe,” Munn said. “I need to change that, I really do. It’s just I must be careful not to put my name in it.”
Comments from Examiner Readers
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Bhaskar Gorti said:
I can lick my eyebrows at Cetrella
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Examiner Reader said:
Congratulations to Deryk! He's a great example of what civil engineering and ASCE is all about. And thanks to the Examiner for running this story. Civil Engineers aren't flashy and nobody makes movies about us... so good press is always welcomed. What we do touches everybody every day. Way to go Deryk! Doug Taylor, PE, M.ASCE President, San Francisco Section ASCE
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Examiner Reader said:
Jeanette Bitz seeems to have more of an advertising ("look at me folks") mindset than true public relations as it seems she, not her clients, come first. In Australia we'd say her story is an ego-driven way to use a weak peg on client relationships to tell a story about herself. Boo.
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Examiner Reader said:
Dan Angel is nothing but a practiced self-promoter. I feel sorry for everyone there at Golden Gate U.
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Examiner Reader said:
Ben this is Big Shon man. If I had the time to tell you how in so many ways you have changed my life,Id be here hours. Thanks Shon
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Examiner Reader said:
It seems to me that "green" living has become as much a marketing ploy as anything else. living "green" is not new (there was an ecology movement in the 70's) and is arguably simple common sense. When I was young my parents regularly reinforced in child's terms its best not to "mess where you eat!"
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Examiner Reader said:
I've worked with Erika Taylor and Three Girls Media for 2 years now. My business has been revolutionized thanks to her innovative approach. It's good to see her getting recognition for the great work she and her company does.
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recent San Francisco Home Buyer said:
Frankly, I don't see the need for real estate agents - and the 6% commission is proportionately excessive compared to the home values in San Francisco. Most of the homes in San Francisco sell themselves and it is easy to shop for homes online. In my house hunting experience, the real estate agent merely carried the keys to various houses. I don't really need someone to point out which room is the bathroom and which room is the kitchen. And I'm not really sure what a top producer is - since the agent isn't producing anything... except more fees in a (nearly) fixed inventory market. I'm sure Barbara is good person. But, as real estate prices continue to climb in San Francisco, Real estate agents are slowly becoming a pariah to home buyers and sellers in this City.
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