In February…Oxfam released a briefing paper titled “Behind the Brands” assessing the social and environmental impacts of the world’s 10 largest food and beverage companies. The report acknowledged where progress was being made and also accused companies of failing to “ensure the wellbeing of those working to produce their products”. The Oxfam paper reflects a new era in the relationship between companies and campaigners…“It’s not just naming and shaming – it’s a combination of praising and shaming,” says Frances Buckingham, manager in the London office of SustainAbility, a think tank and consultancy. The approach might be described as the third stage in what has been a gradual evolution of the relationship between companies and campaign groups…However, any company predicting the demise of corporate activism would be mistaken. The continued willingness of organisations such as Oxfam and Greenpeace to hold companies to account is evidence that activism and advocacy are alive and well...New civic organisations are gaining ground. These include six-year-old Avaaz.…“Activism has moved a online,” says Solitaire Townsend, co-founder of Futerra, a sustainability communications company. “It’s death by a thousand tweets.”[refers to BP, Gap, Nestlé, Nike, Reebok]