Creating social impact through design thinking.
Sustaine is a multidisciplinary communications studio focused on mission driven projects.
With over ten years of experience in
different sectors (journalism, foreign affairs, fashion, architecture, energy, mobility and NGOs) founder Thea Hoekstra is driven by a deep desire to create long-lasting activations and impactful brands and campaigns.
Sustaine has worked for and with renowned brands such as UN Women, Lynk & Co, The North Sea Foundation and Cape Town World Design Capital.
Raising awareness on the importance of sustainability and driving community building are a core part of our DNA.
Current projects
Landgoed de Zwanenhoeve
Sustaine is developing Friesland’s first energy neutral holiday estate, where design and sustainability join forces. The Zwanenhoeve is a place to truly experience nature, and learn more about biodiversity and the importance of nature preservation. With a high-end spa concept, farmers markets and a variety of kitchen gardens, the Zwanenhoeve offers an unforgettable stay.
Swannehof
As our demographics change, so do our living circumstances. Sustaine is therefore developing a unique, co-living neighborhood in Friesland to offer people from different backgrounds more affordable and sustainable housing options. Through communal gardens, ponds and greenhouses we create a stronger social fabric.
Portfolio
UN Women Netherlands
Sustaine helped UN Women redefine their overall communications strategy and communications team set-up.
For their annual campaign Orange the World, to raise awareness on violence against women, Sustaine created a viral campaign in collaboration with ACE PR and the Dutch jewelry brand A Beautiful Story.
With over three times prime news visibility (NOS) and top tier media attention (LINDA., Parool, Volkskrant, NRC, nu.nl) we have been able to make the topic of femicide more urgent within both the media and political landscape.
Lynk & Co
Sustaine supported the Lynk & Co PR team during the launch and scale up of the brand in 7 pan-European markets. By means of disruptive PR and marketing activations, Lynk & Co quickly pierced through a highly competitive and saturated mobility market.
Through unique media collaborations with renowned brands such as Forbes, ELLE and Vogue, we have quickly gained a high share of voice and impactful media visibility resulting in high traction and conversion rates. Within just one year we created a top three sales position within Europe, a one of a kind performance, redefining mobility in the urban landscapes of cities like Amsterdam, Milan, Berlin and Paris.
MoMu Fashion Museum
During the launch of the Dries van Noten exhibition, Sustaine helped MoMu to create awareness, targeting new types of audiences and diversify MoMu’s regular visitors.
Afterwards, Sustaine has regularly supported the MoMu communications team during the launches of new exhibitions, from event management to the coordination of the MoMu+Friends foundation.
The North Sea Foundation
Sustaine has been asked to create a new campaign for the Beach Cleanup, an activation where citizens voluntarily clean up the complete North Sea coast of the Netherlands.
In collaboration with art direction studio Raza, we came up with a new communication flow and digital campaign to activate the public to join the beach cleanup, and raise awareness on the importance of coast and ocean preservation. During the campaign we highlighted the partnership with mobility brand BYD, local governments and policymakers.
Paul de Ruiter Architects
Sustaine has pushed visibility for Paul de Ruiter Architects, a true sustainability pioneer in the Netherlands.
With projects such as the Unilever Foods Innovation Centre, and the visual plan for the famous Dutch ‘Afsluitdijk’, we have created media buzz from Dezeen to Dutch newspapers such as Volkskrant and fd.
One of our most innovative narratives was the launch of the B’Mine Tower, a unique co-living building tapping into the current housing issues in Amsterdam.
Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs
In the light of Cape Town World Design Capital, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs commissioned Dutch design studio ‘Droog Design’ to create an innovative venue in Cape Town, combining both Dutch and South African design: Department of Design.
Sustaine helped create the unique diplomatic campaign #cocreateSA, to combine local viewing points with a Western take on problem solving through design solutions. The project, combined with a trade mission, highlighted unique events in collaboration with designers, engineers, and even a once in a lifetime exchange with Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
Other Clients
Fair Resource Foundation. SHWAY. Marley Spoon. Bureau Informatiediensten Nederland. New Energy Coalition.