Greenpeace launches LEGO Campaign

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Greenpeace launches LEGO Campaign

Post by Platypus »

Got this fro Greg at the Museum. :-)

-----------------------------------------------------------

Shell is already invading the Arctic to drill for oil. Now it’s trying to pollute our children’s minds by putting its logo on millions of Lego toys. Miniature LEGO people are holding small but furious protests around the world against their LEGO bosses’ dirty partnership with Shell.

Join us now and tell LEGO to cut ties with Shell.
https://act.greenpeace.org/ea-action/ac ... n.id=29825

Image

Shell is using LEGO to clean up its image and gain public support while its oil rigs are preparing to drill amidst the rapidly melting ice in the far North -- risking an oil spill in the home of Arctic communities and unique species like polar bears, narwhals, beluga whales and the many Indigenous Peoples of the North.

LEGO wouldn’t want an oil spill in its Arctic play set. And millions of Arctic Defenders don’t want an oil spill in the real Arctic either. It’s time that LEGO used its creativity and innovation to help the heroes who are really building a better future, and not the company that is threatening it – Shell.

LEGO must realize that Arctic destruction is not a game. When you help build Shell’s brand and allow Shell into the playrooms of millions of kids, you take a stand for greed and destruction. Shell should have no place in our homes or children’s toys.

Tell LEGO: Don’t let Shell pollute our children’s minds!

If we convince LEGO to cut ties with Shell, it will be a major blow to Shell’s strategy of using deals with popular brands to distract from its Arctic drilling. Already minifigs the world over are standing up to protest. When we expose Shell’s true face, it will become harder and harder for Shell to get the public support it needs to continue its destructive practices.

Kicking Shell out of our children’s toys is just the first step toward kicking Shell out of the Arctic and protecting this vital ecosystem for good. Over four million people live in the Arctic, including many Indigenous communities. LEGO won’t be able to rebuild what Shell destroys -- so let’s make sure we stop Shell before it’s too late.

Sincerely,

Alex Speers-Roesch
Arctic Campaigner
Greenpeace Canada

PS - LEGO has listened to Greenpeace supporters in the past, and clearly states its aim to “protect children’s right to live in a healthy environment.” Tell LEGO to live up to its own values, and cut ties with Shell to build a better world.

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Re: Greenpeace launches LEGO Campaign

Post by timtosino »

Well Ferrari also has a partnership with Shell so I assume any action on LEGO's part would close the access to use of licenses from that company as well.
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Re: Greenpeace launches LEGO Campaign

Post by Platypus »

Since you mention Formula one racing…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRBVGKFgAUU

but I don't think that not associating with one company means not associating with any company it associates with. That seems like a stretch. Unless it was part of the deal that the race sets have Shell logos in them. Did they?
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Re: Greenpeace launches LEGO Campaign

Post by timtosino »

Platypus wrote:Since you mention Formula one racing…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRBVGKFgAUU

but I don't think that not associating with one company means not associating with any company it associates with. That seems like a stretch. Unless it was part of the deal that the race sets have Shell logos in them. Did they?

Yes I believe so since Shell is a racing partner of Ferrari.

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/ ... oil-arctic
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Re: Greenpeace launches LEGO Campaign

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Official response from LEGO:

http://aboutus.lego.com/en-us/news-room ... artnership

Jørgen Vig Knudstorp, CEO of the LEGO Group, comments on the Greenpeace campaign using the LEGO® brand to target Shell.


The LEGO Group operates in a responsible manner and continually strives to live up to the motto of the company since 1932: “Only the best is good enough”.

We are determined to leave a positive impact on society and the planet that children will inherit. Our unique contribution is through inspiring and developing children by delivering creative play experiences all over the world.

A co-promotion contract like the one with Shell is one of many ways we are able to bring LEGO® bricks into the hands of more children.

We welcome and are inspired by all relevant input we receive from fans, children, parents, NGOs and other stakeholders. They have high expectations to the way we operate. So do we.

The Greenpeace campaign focuses on how Shell operates in a specific part of the world. We firmly believe that this matter must be handled between Shell and Greenpeace. We are saddened when the LEGO brand is used as a tool in any dispute between organisations.

We expect that Shell lives up to their responsibilities wherever they operate and take appropriate action to any potential claims should this not be the case. I would like to clarify that we intend to live up to the long term contract with Shell, which we entered into in 2011.

We will continue to live our motto of “only the best is good enough” and deliver creative and inspiring LEGO play experiences to children all over the world.

Jørgen Vig Knudstorp, President and Chief Executive Officer of the LEGO Group.
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Re: Greenpeace launches LEGO Campaign

Post by Bricksky »

chump wrote:Official response from LEGO:

http://aboutus.lego.com/en-us/news-room ... artnership

Jørgen Vig Knudstorp, CEO of the LEGO Group, comments on the Greenpeace campaign using the LEGO® brand to target Shell.
....
I was gonna read Lego's article, but the Link seems to be broken...

Here is another response to the Green Peace article I thought was interesting to consider:
http://www.jangbricks.com/2014/07/a-jan ... .html#more
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Re: Greenpeace launches LEGO Campaign

Post by chump »

Bricksky wrote:
chump wrote:Official response from LEGO:

http://aboutus.lego.com/en-us/news-room ... artnership

Jørgen Vig Knudstorp, CEO of the LEGO Group, comments on the Greenpeace campaign using the LEGO® brand to target Shell.
....
I was gonna read Lego's article, but the Link seems to be broken...
It must be recently broken. I put the link in there for the source, but the text below it is from the link.
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Re: Greenpeace launches LEGO Campaign

Post by Hamslice »

From greenpeace sent to our club email.

I don't care about this whole thing. But to me these email is considered spam!

VIDEO: LEGO - Everything is NOT awesome

Greenpeace intensifies call for LEGO to ditch Shell with new video

8 July 2014 (Toronto) – Greenpeace released a short video online today, highlighting how LEGO is colluding in environmental malfeasance in the Arctic by promoting the controversial Shell brand on its toys. Shell is under pressure from regulators and NGOs for its plans to drill for extreme oil in the Arctic, which threatens the people and unique wildlife that live there.

The haunting and beautifully shot video, made by BAFTA Award-winning creative agency Don’t Panic, begins by revealing a magical and playful Arctic wonderland made of LEGO. But as the scene pans out, it’s revealed Shell has moved in to drill – and then something goes terribly wrong.

Watch the video, titled LEGO: Everything is NOT awesome

www.greenpeace.org/awesomevideo

After the launch, Greenpeace Canada Arctic Campaigner Farrah Khan said: “Responsible companies like LEGO have an undeniable moral obligation to choose equally responsible business partners. LEGO says it wants to leave a better world to our children. If they are to live up to this noble goal, they cannot partner with one of the biggest climate polluters on the planet that is threatening to destroy the fragile Arctic. If LEGO is to make good on its promise of contributing to a better world then it must drop Shell for good.”

The campaign targeting LEGO’s deal with Shell launched on Tuesday 1 July, and has already garnered more than 248,000 petition signatures. Thousands of fans have flooded LEGO’s Facebook and twitter pages and flooded their email inboxes urging them to stop lending support to oil major Shell.

LEGO responded to the campaign by posting a statement online from Jørgen Vig Knudstorp, President and Chief Executive Officer of the LEGO Group.

He justified LEGO’s partnership with Shell as a way of putting “LEGO bricks into the hands of more children” and said LEGO “expect[s] that Shell lives up to their responsibilities wherever they operate.” He said LEGO “intend[s] to live up to the long term contract with Shell.”

Greenpeace responded with a statement on its website shortly after. It asked, “does the world’s most profitable toy company have to put aside its stated values in order to increase its sales? Would LEGO partner with a cigarette company to help bring its bricks to the masses?”

It explained LEGO’s deal with Shell generates acceptance and tacit support from millions of people for Shell’s operations. It goes on to present a laundry list of Shell’s environmental wrongs, in the Arctic, and around the globe.

-30-

For more information:

Diego Creimer, Media Relations, 514-999-6743

See the petition page for the campaign for Lego to drop Shell at www.legoblockshell.org

Read more:

LEGO is keeping bad company: no more playdates with Shell
Media briefing on Shell’s threat to the Arctic
--

Diego Creimer
Conseiller en communications / Communications Officer
Arctic Campaign - Campagne Arctique
Greenpeace Canada, Montréal
Bureau: 514-933-0021 poste 38
Portable: 514-999-6743
Skype: diego.creimer
Twitter: @DiegoCreimer / @GreenpeaceQC / @GreenpeaceCA
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Re: Greenpeace launches LEGO Campaign

Post by Andrew »

plastic is made out of oil,no way around that.But wasnt their an article somewhere this year that lego was trying to make a brick out of something more enviromentaly sound.

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Re: Greenpeace launches LEGO Campaign

Post by chump »

Andrew wrote:plastic is made out of oil,no way around that.But wasnt their an article somewhere this year that lego was trying to make a brick out of something more enviromentaly sound.

Andrew
The goal of LEGO is to replace ABS with a sustainable resin by 2030.

Not sure if there is any correlation to the 2014 Arctic sets.
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Re: Greenpeace launches LEGO Campaign

Post by Hamslice »

Just so every one knows if they are asked,
Lego doesn't buy from shell directly. All plastic is an oil by product, there are three company's in line making the abs pellets before it gets to lego. The petroleum and natural gas that makes abs may have came from shell's drilling
But a company that manufactures abs would have bought it off of shell then sold it lego.

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Re: Greenpeace launches LEGO Campaign

Post by JayKay »

Didn't they switch to Octan in the 90's? They had some shell logos in the Ferrari sets in the late 90's. I need to dig out some of those sets.

Ahhh I see the partnership. Looks like the collection is available in Brazil, India and South Africa.

http://www.shell.com/global/products-se ... ction.html
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Re: Greenpeace launches LEGO Campaign

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Iris Worldwide, the advertising agency behind the 2012-14 partnership between Lego, Shell and Ferrari, estimated the deal’s PR value at $116m (£68m). A Shell spokesman said it had been “a very successful and productive relationship”. Lego and Shell would not comment on whether a new post-2014 deal was under discussion.
http://vimeo.com/78805320. It looks like the deal might end anyway, whether were was action on Greenpeace's part or not.
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Re: Greenpeace launches LEGO Campaign

Post by timtosino »

http://torrentfreak.com/warner-bros-cen ... es-140711/

Well luckily on LEGO's part Greenpeace didn't think to do this back when the movie came out (maybe they were too busy gambling money on Forex :P)
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Re: Greenpeace launches LEGO Campaign

Post by Platypus »

weird that they launched in Brazil, South Africa and India first. Maybe those are three of LEGO's weakest markets that they want to develop…

Regardless of LEGO position on this, I think it's great to Greenpeace is using LEGO to bring the issue of arctic drilling to the dinner table. The fact that WB got the video pulled and Youtube went along with it after 3,000,000 views is further publicity for GP and the bigger issues of whether or not it's worth it for humanity to drill for oil in the arctic.
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Re: Greenpeace launches LEGO Campaign

Post by timtosino »

Image

Greenpeace is now defacing LEGO product in stores.
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Re: Greenpeace launches LEGO Campaign

Post by chump »

I'm assuming this was seen online and not in person? I have posted it to the relevant thread on the Ambassador Forums, although the source would be useful.
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Re: Greenpeace launches LEGO Campaign

Post by timtosino »

Got it from Eurobricks, thought I was assume this was in Canada since MSRP for that set is $29.99 US and the sticker says $35.00
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Re: Greenpeace launches LEGO Campaign

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timtosino wrote:Got it from Eurobricks, thought I was assume this was in Canada since MSRP for that set is $29.99 US and the sticker says $35.00
Deductive reasoning.... I lack that. I didn't notice it on Eurobricks although I didn't look or search very hard either.

I was going by the Greenpeace Canada activist sheet didn't contain that sticker.

http://www.greenpeace.org/canada/en/cam ... go-lution/

Although another quick search shows Australia as being one of the culprits. It's on their website.

http://www.greenpeace.org.au/blog/some- ... with-lego/
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Re: Greenpeace's NEW "Arctic Oil Spill Play Set"

Post by Bricksky »

NEW: Arctic Oil Spill Play Set by LEGO & Shell!

Image

Greenpeace recently impersonated Lego Store Employees in Toronto, and presented a new "OIL SPILL" Lego set to bring attention to Lego's Partnership with Shell...

They took it to the streets to get the public's reaction.

Check out the article and video at this link:
http://www.greenpeace.org/canada/en/Blo ... log/50135/
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Re: Greenpeace launches LEGO Campaign

Post by Hamslice »

WOW!!!, Greenpeace what a piece of shit group you are.

How about going out there and protesting, instead of hiding behind your computers and phones all day, which are made of plastic by the way. And plastic is made from what kids?
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Re: Greenpeace launches LEGO Campaign

Post by timtosino »

I think Greenpeace is going no where fast with this now, hope LEGO has several C&D orders for improper use of a Trademarked Logo soon.
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Re: Greenpeace launches LEGO Campaign

Post by Gumby »

Wow they really went too far by impersonating employees and whatnot. LEGO's lawyers must be lining up to get a crack at this one!
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Re: Greenpeace launches LEGO Campaign

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Dear LUG Ambassadors,

Please keep the below information confidential until you see the public statement in the newsroom on LEGO.com tomorrow, Thursday October 9.

As you know the LEGO Group have been targeted by Greenpeace as part of their campaign against Shell. We have appreciated having a dialogue with you during the Summer, when the campaign was at its peak, and as promised, we also want to keep you in the loop as the situation progresses.

The long-term co-promotion contract we entered with Shell in 2011 delivers on the objective of bringing LEGO bricks into the hands of many children, and we will honor it – as we would with any contract we enter.

We want to clarify, with the below statement which has just been shared internally with LEGO employees, that as things currently stand we will not renew the co-promotion contract with Shell when the present contract ends.

The public statement will be posted on LEGO.com tomorrow and as we do not want to be part of Greenpeace’s campaign going forward we will not comment any further on the campaign or this statement, and now consider the matter closed.

Thanks again for your support and input.

Tormod



New external statement on the Greenpeace campaign

Since the end of June Greenpeace has run a campaign using the LEGO® brand to target Shell.

The background for the campaign is Shell’s plans for operations in the Arctic and thereby – according to Greenpeace – the potential threat to the environment and wild life.

The LEGO Group entered a long term co-promotion contract with Shell in 2011 and the co-promotion has so far been running in more than 20 markets. When buying fuel at a Shell station it is possible to receive a small LEGO® product for free. A co-promotion like the one with Shell is one of many ways we are able to bring LEGO® bricks into the hands of more children and deliver on our promise of creative play.

We have from the outset stated that we do not agree with the campaign tactics used by Greenpeace, tactics that we know have upset many LEGO colleagues. And we also believe that these tactics may have created misunderstandings among our stakeholders about the way we operate.

Since we want to ensure that our attention is on delivering creative and inspiring play experiences, and not on being part of Greenpeace’s issue with Shell, we will issue a statement in our online newsroom on LEGO.com tomorrow that hopefully clarifies possible misunderstandings.

The statement reiterates that we don’t want our brand to be held hostage in this dispute and that our focus is on delivering creative play experiences to as many children as possible.

It further states that we will live up to the contract we have entered with Shell – as with any contract we enter. And as things currently stand we will not sign a new co-promotion contract with Shell when the present contract ends.

As of Thursday October 9 you will be able to read the full public statement in the newsroom on LEGO.com.

In order to stop our involvement in the dispute we have decided not to comment any further in external media. As has been the case so far, however, we answer all consumers who contact us personally via Consumer Services.

Robbert Stecher
Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs
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Re: Greenpeace launches LEGO Campaign

Post by AC »

That is a good play. Hopefully Greenpeace does not push things and campaign any harder than they have.
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