Otto Group publishes sustainability magazine "NOW" in cooperation with GEO

With corporate activities coming increasingly under the public spotlight, fairness and responsibility are gaining in importance. Reason enough then for the Otto Group to present its commitment to sustainability – part of its corporate strategy for more than 30 years now – in a compact, compelling format and with the unerring eye of a neutral observer. This is how the unusual collaboration between the Otto Group and GEO magazine from the Hamburg publishing house of Gruner + Jahr came about.

The sustainability magazine "NOW” brings together experienced journalists from the GEO world who, in 16 articles, reports and interviews describe the challenges companies face when they take on responsibility in a socio-political context. Together, the project partners selected sustainable solutions and projects from the world of the Otto Group and its foundations, with the journalists having a free hand in how they translated these into words. In addition, fundamental questions of sustainable development are also addressed: in a discussion, for example, between science journalist Ranga Yogeshwar and Otto Group Supervisory Board Chairman Prof Dr Michael Otto who debate matters concerning climate change, consumption, digitalisation and the tension between ecology and economics. Or in an interview with Michael Braungart, a feisty advocate of the circular economy.

“The collaboration is so unique because the GEO colleagues, under the aegis of editor-in-chief Jens Schröder, had a free hand in the topics. This yielded stories from the perspective of inquisitive journalists, which themselves attract a great deal of public interest,” explains Thomas Voigt, Group Vice President Corporate Communications.

Questions such as the feasibility of humane textile production in Bangladesh and the socio-political impact of sustainable initiatives such as "Cotton made in Africa" or the F.R.A.N.Z. project of the foundations set up by Prof Dr Michael Otto are discussed in a detailed, differentiated manner. Articles on sustainable timber management, packaging of the future, a more climate-friendly delivery of goods, more conscious shopping as well as an introduction to Tobias Wollermann as the new head of sustainability of the Otto Group, round off the content.

Is this at all compatible with the sort of independent journalism GEO has been proudly doing for decades? “Sure,” says GEO editor-in-chief Jens Schröder. “As journalists, it is our job to present all the facets of a story in a balanced way. Whether this could be achieved in collaboration with a commercial partner? – this was a question that initially intrigued us, and we can now answer with a clear 'yes'. Ultimately, we are united by a common goal: the sustainable development of our society and our planet. Journalism also has a part to play in this: giving seriously committed players from other fields the tools of its trade and its professional eye.”

The sustainability magazine "NOW" can be ordered as a printed copy at www.ottogroup.com/en/NOW2021, read as an ePaper or downloaded as a PDF file.