NEWS: Actor John Slattery Joins Ocean Conservancy’s “Protect Where We Play” at Climate Week

Mad Men Star is Newest Team Ocean Captain, Announced at New York Event Featuring Exclusive Preview of New Ocean Plastics Documentary Kuleana

WASHINGTON — Ocean Conservancy announced Emmy-nominated actor John Slattery as the newest Team Ocean Captain in its Protect Where We Play initiative at a NYC Climate Week event on September 24. 

Slattery, who is best known for his role as Roger Sterling in Mad Men, is the first actor to join the campaign, which brings together athletes, artists and entertainers to rally millions of fans in support of ocean conservation.

“The ocean has been a source of great joy and peace for me when I’m not behind or in front of the camera, and I’m delighted to be part of Protect Where We Play,” said Slattery. “My favorite thing about surfing may be the knowledge that the wave I’m riding has traveled a great distance to reach me. The ocean connects us all.”

Slattery joins a growing roster of Team Ocean Captains including WNBA’s Napheesa Collier, NFL’s Kelvin Beachum, MLB’s Brent Suter, Paralympian Ezra Frech, American ballerina Katherine Barkman and world champion surfer John John Florence. His involvement will bring a powerful new voice to the campaign and expand its reach to entertainment audiences.

The announcement builds on a rapidly expanding roster of supporters, including the Seattle Seahawks (NFL), Cleveland Monsters (AHL), United States SailGP Team and Team USA Artistic Swimming, as well as champion surfer John John Florence, all of whom joined earlier this month.

The Climate Week event, held at the Helen Mills Event Space, also featured an exclusive preview of Kuleana, a new documentary narrated by Woody Harrelson and produced by Georgia Scott and GroundTruth Productions in partnership with Ocean Conservancy. The film explores the ocean plastics crisis in Hawaiʻi through the eyes of elite athletes and shines a light on the connection between sport, culture and the ocean. In addition to executive-producing the film, Ocean Conservancy is the exclusive impact partner, and will work with the filmmakers and audiences alike to catalyze action for our ocean. 

“Plastic pollution is undoubtedly one of the most visible threats facing our ocean today, and often the first issue that ocean lovers encounter on their journey to becoming advocates,” said Nicholas Mallos, Ocean Conservancy’s vice president of ocean plastics. “I know this film will resonate deeply with anyone who has been out on the water, seen plastic floating on the surface, and thought to themselves, ‘We can do better.’” 

“Sport and entertainment have always been connected by their ability to captivate audiences and create moments of collective joy,” said Jenna DiPaolo, Ocean Conservancy’s chief brand and communications officer. “By linking that cultural influence to the health of our ocean, Protect Where We Play taps into a powerful force for change, uniting fans, athletes, and artists to protect the places and experiences we all love.” 

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ABOUT PROTECT WHERE WE PLAY

Protect Where We Play is Ocean Conservancy’s bold, new initiative that aims to inspire a new wave of fan engagement and action by leveraging the sports and entertainment industries as a first entry point to activate a broader and more diverse array of “Team Ocean” advocates. You can watch the sizzle reel here, read Forbes’ coverage of the launch here, and Pollstar’s Earth Day coverage on the origin story of this initiative here. For more information, visit protectwhereweplay.com.

ABOUT OCEAN CONSERVANCY  

Ocean Conservancy has been working to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges. Together, we create evidence-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it. For more information, visit oceanconservancy.org, or follow us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram.  

MEDIA CONTACT

Jordana Lewis
jlewis@oceanconservancy.org
301.873.4484