PURPOSE-DRIVEN, SUSTAINABLE PR – Chimere Cisse

A fervent arts advocate and serial founder, Chimere Cisse has established a portfolio of businesses that work to create bridges between the commercial and creative worlds. Linking foundations, investors and brands to artists, creatives, galleries and cultural institutions around the world through innovative activations and collaborations.

She is firstly the founder of CISSÉ, a global communications consultancy launched after she left fashion mega-brand Burberry before going on to co-found contemporary arts consultancy Art Kōrero during lockdown, after a conversation about a shared love of art with an art-advisor inLondon. Chimere is also a founding partner in the Metaverse platform Throne, alongside legendary music producers Gee Roberson and Nellee Hooper. Ensuring web3 is very much part of her play kit.

Based between London and Dubai, Chimere has worked with internationally renowned talent and thought leaders throughout her career. Her production work appearing in titles ranging from Architectural Digest to Vogue. She recently hosted the well-received Web3 Awards for the UAE’s leading newspaper, Gulf News.

But today we wanted to dig into her experience as a publicist for founders who work on the “frontline” of cultural innovation and sustainable solutions. Chimere carefully selects clients, principals and founders to work with each year. She looks for those that genuinely aspire to the goal of betterment for their consumers, and seeks out visionaries that push the benchmark in innovation, culture and sustainability.

One such client is BLANK (abtblank.com), an experiential platform showcasing the most innovative solutions in sustainability, recently hosting exhibitions in London, LA and San Francisco. BLANK seeks to create platforms that enable corporations and their staff to fully engage, participate and communicate ways in which they are producing real and meaningful sustainable solutions.

CISSÉ aims to bring exciting new talent to the fore also. One such creator is Studio Lloyd (studiolloyd.com) from South Africa, who create interior art utilizing traditional arts and crafts, creating items such as “light sculptures” made from knitted rope. Chimere is also closely involved with XO Atelier, the Middle East’s leading interior architecture consultancy led by Vera Dieckmann, an award winning German designer whose futuristic, light filled interiors have been making waves around the world.

We first met Chimere at our Dubai edition launch where we caught up with the communications pro to update us on the latest PR developments and how we can incorporate a more holistic approach to our communication strategies:

When looking at how far you’ve come with your companies, what is your main drive to
push forward?

My work has always been driven with the purpose of elevating the human experience – through culture, wellness and a conscious approach to capitalism. The world is adapting to our climate crisis and also changing ideas around culture and language. Society expects greater thought leadership from organisations, and robust communication strategies that match pace with emerging trends can support that.

The agency is often approached by prospective clients hoping to work with you, but you
only select a small handful of founders to work with every year, why is this?

It allows us to deliver a tailored and committed service to our clients. Our partners appreciate that personalised approach. It also means we’re available and able to react quickly to our clients needs. Over half of our work is philanthropic, supporting organizations such as Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation amongst others, so we really respect our time and the ethos of our work comes before profit.

I see! Speaking of PR, we would love to get your thoughts on some new, prominent and
emerging trends in PR—some expert insight if you will.

I think some strong themes that have been emerging as of late are the most important and difficult to cover, such as nuances around cancel culture. There is more focus on diversity and inclusivity which is amazing, as well as brand transparency. People gravitate toward brands which hold the same purpose or values as them. So being able to showcase these as part of a sustained PR strategy is critical.

What is your goal with CISSÉ?

We aim to showcase the raison d’être of our clients; their values and what they’re doing to make the world a better place. We don’t just make noise, we want to direct meaningful traffic. Ultimately we want to leave a legacy of having had a positive impact on our planet and its people.

Chimere has made major moves in PR, sustainability and the art world –– and this just touches the surface. Visit her website to read more about her work and what she and her clients are up to: www.chimerecisse.com  and www.ArtKorero.com

@Cisse_PR @ArtKorero