This is such an important analysis of how oil companies use culture to normalise their presence as "good guys" and as part of thriving communities. I recently saw a presentation by environmental communication researcher, Libby Lester, about how Tasmanian salmon farming companies get their logo on local kids' sporting uniforms to achieve similar goals - of them being a core part of the local, regional communities. (I can share that work with you when I see it published.) Salmon farming is having a big impact on local ecologies, seeing once species close to extinction due to the deoxygenation of the sea bed.
Oil and mining companies also fund sport in Australia, but I was so impressed by the rejection of the proposed sponsorship of the Australian women's netball team by one particularly reviled sponsor, Hancock mining, whose founder had once said Indigenous Australians should be exterminated. He said this in the 1980s. One First Nations player, Donnell Wallam, said she would not wear a jersey with that logo, and the team backed her to reject the $15 million in funding. So impressive. Hancock is an example of how mining, imperialism, capitalism, and violence are closely intertwined (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-31/netball-australia-finds-new-sponsor-after-rinehart-withdrawal/101598888)
The lack of funding for arts and culture and for women's and kids sport means it's hard for those organisations to reject the offer of funds from mining sponsors, and it also means that groups and individuals who are already vulnerable to losing what they have are tasked with speaking up. They're tricky politics, and I'm always impressed when people turn down these kinds of funding that have such insidious alternative motives.
Thanks Rebecca :) wow interesting examples from Australia and Tasmania. I had seen the story about the Netball team refusing the sponsorship, that was such an important act of resistance. Unfortunately there are still so many sports stars (especially in Norway) who simply don't seem to understand the problems with wearing the logo of an oil or salmon company. We need more to step up.
It's the same problem as in Tasmania here in Scotland. I was at a shinty game in my local town the other day and that's sponsored by a big salmon farming company. I really feel for the teams though cos they need to take all the money they can get - its a small sport with few resources. It's just hard to see when you know there's most likely alteriour motives for the companies behind, more than just providing for the local community.
Would be really interested to see the research from Libby Lester if you get it at some point!
Thanks! Yes the same playbook. It shows that you can push up against it though as they did with the Tate and the British Museum. It's so frustrating to see Equinor put more and more resources into influencing young people in the UK nowadays though...
This is such an important analysis of how oil companies use culture to normalise their presence as "good guys" and as part of thriving communities. I recently saw a presentation by environmental communication researcher, Libby Lester, about how Tasmanian salmon farming companies get their logo on local kids' sporting uniforms to achieve similar goals - of them being a core part of the local, regional communities. (I can share that work with you when I see it published.) Salmon farming is having a big impact on local ecologies, seeing once species close to extinction due to the deoxygenation of the sea bed.
Oil and mining companies also fund sport in Australia, but I was so impressed by the rejection of the proposed sponsorship of the Australian women's netball team by one particularly reviled sponsor, Hancock mining, whose founder had once said Indigenous Australians should be exterminated. He said this in the 1980s. One First Nations player, Donnell Wallam, said she would not wear a jersey with that logo, and the team backed her to reject the $15 million in funding. So impressive. Hancock is an example of how mining, imperialism, capitalism, and violence are closely intertwined (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-31/netball-australia-finds-new-sponsor-after-rinehart-withdrawal/101598888)
The lack of funding for arts and culture and for women's and kids sport means it's hard for those organisations to reject the offer of funds from mining sponsors, and it also means that groups and individuals who are already vulnerable to losing what they have are tasked with speaking up. They're tricky politics, and I'm always impressed when people turn down these kinds of funding that have such insidious alternative motives.
Great post - thanks for this work.
Thanks Rebecca :) wow interesting examples from Australia and Tasmania. I had seen the story about the Netball team refusing the sponsorship, that was such an important act of resistance. Unfortunately there are still so many sports stars (especially in Norway) who simply don't seem to understand the problems with wearing the logo of an oil or salmon company. We need more to step up.
It's the same problem as in Tasmania here in Scotland. I was at a shinty game in my local town the other day and that's sponsored by a big salmon farming company. I really feel for the teams though cos they need to take all the money they can get - its a small sport with few resources. It's just hard to see when you know there's most likely alteriour motives for the companies behind, more than just providing for the local community.
Would be really interested to see the research from Libby Lester if you get it at some point!
Super interesting post, thanks Callum & get well soon x
Thanks Sam! Glad you enjoyed it :)
Very good post, Calum! At least three weeks’ value!!
Same issues with BP sponsoring the arts in the UK. The Tate and The British Museum eventually, after much protest, ended their association with BP.
Thanks! Yes the same playbook. It shows that you can push up against it though as they did with the Tate and the British Museum. It's so frustrating to see Equinor put more and more resources into influencing young people in the UK nowadays though...