FiveFold: Australia’s First ESG Creative Agency
- Simmone Sache
- Feb 11
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 11
Consumers are demanding the truth. With new sustainability regulations taking effect and trust in corporate Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) claims at an all-time low, businesses must prove they are making a real impact, not just talking about it.
More than 50 percent of consumers believe brands exaggerate their sustainability efforts, making transparency more critical than ever.
Recognising this need, Steve Elston founded FiveFold, Australia’s first creative agency for ESG, to help businesses back their claims with verifiable action.
"People expect proof, and they expect it to be presented in a way that resonates"
"We’re at a point where companies can no longer rely on empty promises," he says. He is turning ESG data into meaningful stories that build credibility, engage audiences, and demonstrate real impact.
With scepticism at an all-time high, companies that fail to communicate their efforts clearly, risk losing consumer trust and investment. "Sustainability claims should be verifiable, not vague," Steve emphasises. "Honest progress builds credibility and inspires others to follow." FiveFold works to prevent greenwashing, ensuring that every campaign is backed by facts and meaningful storytelling.
Collaboration is at the heart of his success. "The best stories come from the right people working together," he notes. FiveFold’s project-based approach brings together top experts to ensure each initiative is executed with precision and impact.
As ESG becomes a business necessity, organisations must go beyond compliance and focus on genuine connection.
"People don’t just want to read about sustainability; they want to see it in action"
FiveFold helps businesses meet this challenge by ensuring their sustainability efforts are communicated with clarity, impact, and, most importantly, truth.
Looking ahead, Steve is refining FiveFold’s approach to align with evolving consumer expectations and regulatory demands. By ensuring sustainability stories are rooted in truth, backed by real data, and communicated with clarity and creativity, he is helping businesses turn ESG commitments into lasting influence.
“Facts alone don’t drive change, stories do. The message resonates when people see the impact of a company’s ESG initiatives rather than just reading about it in a report. That’s what we do best, we turn stats into stories.”
