Energy Conservation
The Smiling Face of Savings
For a second straight year, a Kentucky co-op is teaming up with a local television station to help its consumer-members save money. Blue Grass Energy has just completed production on the first three of 12 new commercials offering tips on budget-minded energy efficiency and conservation projects.
Blue Grass Energy communications advisor Magen Howard takes readings during a blower door test as part of the co-op’s Green Begins with Me campaign. (Photo By: Blue Grass Energy)
“The ‘Green Begins with Me’ campaign is a great opportunity for us to show our members small, simple things they can do to help lower their electricity use,” said Cathryn W. Gibson, the Nicholasville-based co-op’s vice president of member services and economic development.
The bright, upbeat messages are delivered in 30-second segments produced by WTVQ–TV, the ABC affiliate in Lexington, Ky. They are scheduled to complement “Together We Save” advertising run by Blue Grass Energy as a Touchstone Energy ® Cooperative. The conservation messages, featured in the ads, also run in the co-op’s magazine and on its Web site.
“The ‘Green Begins with Me’ ads are a way to for us to reinforce our brand among our consumer-members,” said Gibson, noting that the ads are hosted by Magen Howard, the co-op’s communication’s advisor.
“Magen puts a human face on the messages, and people recognize her as someone who really works for Blue Grass Energy,” said Gibson. “She lives right in the community along with the consumer-members we serve.”
In the spots, Howard cheerfully walks viewers through insulation projects, compact fluorescent lighting upgrades, and other small jobs.
“I spent some of my time crawling around attics and working in basements where it can get a bit chilly,” said Howard, who just recently completed shooting on three production projects. “When people see me go through the steps, many say, ‘hey, we can do that,’ and for a few dollars and a little time spent, they can reap the savings.”