Paradise is pleased to announce it has enlisted Zero km Consulting LLC to help provide planning, resources, and training for the agency and its clients. The powerful collaboration will support Paradise helping destinations and tourism businesses measure and improve their sustainability efforts. Importantly, Paradise and Zero km ultimately aim to improve social, cultural, environmental, and economic performances among destinations and communities through tourism.

In September 2022, Paradise made news as the first agency in the United States to sign the United Nations Sustainable Tourism 2030 Pledge, professing their commitment to improve the sustainability performance of tourism business or destination between now and 2030. Over the past year, the national ad agency has made significant strides to becoming a sustainability steward with the goal of acting as a catalyst for clients and partners, as well as exceeding its own sustainability goals.

“Sustainability is one of the top priorities for me as a CEO, business leader, entrepreneur, and steward for our planet,” said Barbara Karasek, Paradise CEO, Co-owner & Chairwoman of the Board. “This partnership brings added expertise to Paradise to further implement sustainable tourism strategies that creates jobs, enhances economies, encourages circular economies, and promotes local culture and products. Signing the Sustainable Tourism 2030 Pledge and aligning with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals the United Nations is near and dear to my heart. I try to lead by example and hope to inspire industry colleagues to double down on sustainability and because it is core to future success of tourism.”

There is a strong connection between Paradise and Zero km Consulting. The Founder of the Milwaukee-based consultancy, Jessica Mackey, worked at Paradise years ago while living in Florida, and always distinguished herself by her unparalleled fervor to change the world for better. “Those who know Jessica from before know she is a triple threat with a passion for big ideas, an unwavering stance on making everything fair and equitable, and being a steward for our planet,” Karasek said.

Mackey brings over sixteen years of account management, brand and digital strategy, and social impact experience. She has worked with Fortune 500 brands like Intel, Verizon, Diageo, and Delta, many environmental groups such as Boston Consulting Group X, and Forest Stewardship Council, and a few of our favorite tourist destinations.

In between advertising roles, she created and ran her own nonprofit, was a Startingbloc Fellow for Social Entrepreneurship, and is finalizing her master’s degree in Natural Resources and Global Business Sustainability. She is passionate about agriculture and our food system, is on the Board of her local Slow Food MKE chapter, and is leading the organization of Climate Week Milwaukee. The intersection of social impact, business, and communications has always been her sweet spot. Now she helps agencies and clients alike create and communicate a more resilient future. She’s also a mom of two, avid cook, novice gardener, and regular Burn Boot Camper.

“I am very excited to collaborate with my former agency and colleagues, and help develop Paradise’s leadership in the sustainability area,” Mackey said. “I am thrilled that the agency and its leadership are making this a priority and I am excited to make an impact through clients and the communities we work with!”

About Zero km Consulting

Zero km is a boutique consultancy firm specializing in marketing, sustainability, and ESG consulting, and the interception of those disciplines. Founded in 2023, the mission is to drive awareness and education for a resilient future. Zero km works with B Corps, mission-driven organizations, and triple-bottom-line corporations to grow impact alongside profit. The Zero km team is based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but operates all over the United States. For more information, visit ZeroKmConsulting.com or @zerokmconsulting on Instagram.