For nearly two decades, we’ve partnered with energy companies to deliver integrated programs that bolster everything from global initiatives to employer branding to local community engagement. Highlights of that experience include partnerships with clients who are boldly trying to cut the Gordian knot known as the energy transition. From development and infrastructure to storage and other distributed energy resources, we’ve picked up a thing or two about the narrative around energy through our years spent working in the space.
The energy story is a national interest story.
Energy became front and center in the 2020 election cycle and climate, security, and sustainability are themes that will continue to dominate on both sides of the campaign trail in 2024. What is clearer now more than ever, is that energy is a national interest story. Your vision must resonate at a local, national, and industry level to ensure it endures beyond fickle administrations and election year politics. This takes a communications partner that “gets” this landscape.
The energy story is an economic story.
We learned this long ago while working on ACCIONA, KiOR, Enel, and others over the years. Of course, more recently we’ve witnessed macro-economic conditions shift with the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act. The bottom line is simple — sustainable energy technologies are fantastic for the environment but will go nowhere if not also commercially viable and a benefit for the economy. Luckily for all of us, renewables have proven their place in our economy alongside traditional fuels and are paving the way for other innovative technologies, so we can afford the energy mix we need while providing jobs and ensuring domestic energy security.
The energy story is a technology story.
And it’s going to continue to get even more technical as the field advances to solve the myriad of energy problems the world faces as we race towards an estimated 10 billion people on this planet in 2050. On top of the technicalities of the technology (you see what I did there), the buyer make-up is complex. From the CEOs of the world’s largest companies to first-time homeowners, and everyone — and every company — in between, energy companies need to tell their stories in compelling ways for all. This isn’t easy, particularly when it comes to technology.
The energy story is a personal story.
Everyone has a connection to energy. People need safe, reliable, and affordable energy to power their lives. This has become more evident than ever, with one in seven U.S. households living in energy poverty, which is then exacerbated by climate-fueled natural disasters causing more frequent and extended power outages. Energy companies that can tie their value back to the human impact will have a stronger story to tell.
The energy story – our energy story – doesn’t end.
The energy transition is a continuous evolution. Technologies will mature, demand will rise as society advances, combatting climate change will become more and more critical, and our archaic infrastructure will (hopefully) become fit for modern times. When INK began working in the energy space in 2008, we had an exclusive focus on renewables. The story has evolved, as have our capabilities, experiences, and viewpoints along with it.
Want to know how we think it should be done? Give me a shout at starr@ink-co.com and follow what we’re up to.
