SK Innovation's ad on eco-friendly biz well-received by viewers

A screen capture from SK Innovation's corporate ad, titled “Innovation is in our nature,” running on YouTube, Facebook and other platforms / Courtesy of SK Innovation

By Jun Ji-hye

SK Innovation's corporate ad promoting its eco-friendly businesses has been well-received by viewers, achieving 14 million hits on YouTube and Facebook in the 10 days since its launch, the company said Wednesday.

The oil refiner and battery maker said it had created the ad, titled “Innovation is in our nature,” in a bid to give wider publicity to its “green balance” initiative, which calls for minimizing its existing businesses' negative impact on the environment and developing new eco-friendly business models.

In the ad, the company introduces new businesses it has pushed for, such as a a gas station running on solar power, a high-performance electric car battery, next-generation mobility lubricant and lightweight automotive material.

The ad, which was released in both Korean and English versions, has attracted a number of viewers on the back of its fun elements utilizing cute animals.

“So addictive! Lovely animal friends and the funny BGM (background music),” one viewer wrote on YouTube.

Kim Byoung-hee, a professor of the department of advertising and public relations at Seowon University, said the ad delivered an effective message though it dealt with a difficult subject ― the environment.

“It is also notable that the company's inclusion of animals in the ad has successfully appealed to viewers' senses and emotions,” he said.

Lim Su-kil, who heads the PR office at SK Innovation, said his company tried to create the corporate ad containing both meanings and fun elements in a bid to explain the firm's business strategy more easily and effectively.

“We will continue to push for innovation and create eco-friendly future businesses,” he said.

In May, SK Innovation CEO Kim Jun announced a plan to apply the green balance strategy to the growth of the company.