Courtesy / TideSmart Global
Stephen Woods.
June 2, 2025
Falmouth-based TideSmart earns renewal of B Corp certification
COURTESY / TIDESMART GLOBAL
TideSmart’s campus includes its Viridescent Building, one of the first net-positive structures in New England, generating more power than it uses. The building houses the company’s creative team.
Falmouth marketing firm TideSmart Global has new sustainability initiatives underway with the renewal of its B Corp certification.
“B Corp certification is aligned with our purpose,” said Stephen Woods, the company’s CEO. “It ensures we remain transparent, accountable, and committed to improving — not just for our clients, but for our team, our community, and the planet.”
Originally certified in 2022, TideSmart is one of 22 certified B Corporations in Maine, according to a news release.
The B Corp certification process, carried out by B Lab, a Berwyn, Pa.-based nonprofit, requires applicants to reach benchmarks while providing evidence of socially and environmentally responsible practices relating to energy supplies, waste and water use, staff compensation, diversity and corporate transparency. B Corps must recertify every three years.
Founded in 2003, TideSmart services include audience engagement, sponsorship activation and digital marketing.
Its original certification included sustainable practices such as solar power, water reclamation, electric-car charging stations, motion-sensitive lighting and radiant heat.
Reusable assets
TideSmart’s recent efforts include reducing material waste in experiential marketing programs, sourcing more sustainable giveaways and premiums and incorporating recycled and reusable assets in annual campaigns.
For example, rather than simply handing out flyers or giveaway items to everyone who passes by, events are designed for deeper engagement such as spin-to-win prize wheels or photobooths to share digital photos, Christine Campbell, vice president of media services, told Mainebiz.
To market the Boston Marathon, there were caricature artists. Hands-on art activities such as custom stamp designs and personalized wine charms (using glass beads, rather than plastic) were used to market Kobrand Wines.
COURTESY / TIDESMART GLOBAL
Rather than simply handing out flyers or giveaway items to everyone who passes by, events are designed for deeper engagement such as spin-to-win prize wheels.
“These experiences not only enhance brand recall and favorability, but they're also better for the environment,” Campbell said. “By prioritizing quality interactions over disposable giveaways, we reduce waste and make a more lasting impression.”
Compostable cups
An example of reducing waste is the use of modular walls, flooring and signage systems that are rebranded and reconfigured for multiple clients or campaign years, rather than building new sets from scratch for each campaign.
“For instance, the Restore Hyper Wellness reused over 70% of its physical footprint from the previous year, cutting landfill-bound material waste significantly,” Campbell said. “Additionally, TideSmart often replaces paper-based waivers, surveys, sweepstakes, coupons and signups with tablet-based digital platforms and QR codes, reducing the need for single-use print materials.”
Rather than traditional plastic-based giveaways, TideSmart partners with suppliers to source branded items made from recycled plastic, organic cotton, bamboo and biodegradable materials. Recent tours have included corrugated cardboard signage that can be recycled rather than foam core, compostable cups and recycled paper.
Sustainable giveaway items have included organic reusable cotton tote bags, drawstring bags using recycled plastic and aluminum water bottles.
All items came with sustainability sourcing details, giving attendees transparency and reinforcing brand alignment with responsible values.
Cost savings
For long-term marketing programs, TideSmart has rewrapped existing vehicles and retrofitted interiors instead of producing new ones annually. Custom cabinetry and counters were designed to be easily refitted or removed for different formats (screenings vs. product demos). Dates have been removed from annual tours so that materials can be used year over year and do not need to be reproduced. For example, Kobrand’s wine labels and Poland Springs rally signs were all designed to be evergreen.
The company has an inventory of key assets like flag banner hardware, spin wheels, folding tables, fencing and A-frame that are reused from program to program. It chooses manufacturers that use eco practices and give back to eco causes. Whenever possible, the company sources from local suppliers to reduce carbon footprint.
Minimizing single-use materials and focusing on modular, reusable assets provides clients with measurable cost savings and improves operational efficiency, the company said.
Internally, the company has strengthened its commitment to employee wellness through on-campus health and mindfulness events and expanded its involvement in community-based volunteer efforts that advance social equity and local engagement.
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