Grimm & Grove - Work - A Public Gas Utility

Background

An energy provider serving more than 530,000 natural gas customers embarked on a reliability upgrade project that was unprecedented in scale and scope. The company required strategic communications to ensure its success—a labor-intensive effort that required a specialized communications team with deep experience in utilities and community engagement.

Grimm & Grove brought our PUC experience to bear and worked with the provider to develop an external affairs and communications plan to engage with residents, business owners and public officials through targeted, cohesive messaging. With positioning that emphasized the project's benefits and addressed constituent needs, our work helped pave the way for a smooth outcome—the project is moving forward with majority support.

Tactics

Key messages and integrated communications including internal and external talking points and staff toolkits, developed in close collaboration with internal communications, external affairs, legal and project teams
Virtual community events, in which we handled every detail from invitations to technical production to gathering feedback.
Outreach to the business community, local officials, nonprofit organizations and residents with targeted messages to connect with each recipient,
Ongoing consultation with the provider on public affairs strategy.
A bimonthly newsletter with regular updates for local residents to keep them informed.
Ongoing monitoring of public sentiment through social media and press mentions so that the provider can quickly respond to concerns.

Public engagement to build consensus and protect brand reputation