Blog

Blog

Inside the Magazine, Magazines, Pioneer News, Social Media

Meet Our Storytelling Students

Every story needs a strong start. Pioneer’s summer internship program provides a digital and print storytelling springboard for college students. Two new storytellers join our ranks in June: Franklin Thurlow and Erika Becerra Gutierrez. Read their stories, then learn how Pioneer’s program aims to strengthen co-op storytelling across rural America.

Sydney T. Turner

June 21, 2022

Blog

Community Engagement, Consumer Education, Pioneer News

Celebrate the International Day of Co-ops in July

As Americans prepare for Independence Day with fireworks, parades and all things red, white and blue, another event takes place around the world that we should also be celebrating with just as much gusto. Get resources to celebrate your co-op story in July and learn more about co-ops surrounding you!

Anne Harvey

June 7, 2022

Blog

Pioneer News

NewsData Marks 40 Years of Reporting Energy Stories

On May 26, 2022, NewsData celebrates 40 years of chronicling the electric and natural gas sectors in the Western U.S. and Canada. Editor-in-Chief Mark Ohrenschall takes us back in time with the first issue of Clearing Up, then shares how people, places and technology evolved over four decades to report industry stories.

Mark Ohrenschall

May 26, 2022

Blog

Pioneer News, Social Media, Staff Engagement

May Marks Five Years of Unique Co-op and Military Spouse Partnership

As we mark National Military Appreciation Month, we invited Pioneer employee Rachel Tringali Marston, a military spouse, to share her story.

Rachel Tringali Marston

May 25, 2022

Blog

Community Engagement, Crisis Communications, Inside the Magazine, Pioneer News

Social Storms eBook, HeART of Community Podcast in the Spotlight

Pioneer’s team of utility storytellers won two awards, Best Special Publication and Most Innovative Use of Digital Communication, in the national 2022 Spotlight on Excellence Awards program. Learn the story behind our winning work, and find ideas to help strengthen your next storytelling adventure!

Andy Johns

April 29, 2022

Blog

Member Meetings

Five Ways for Introverts to Thrive at Conferences

Introverts bring a different set of skills to classic networking events. By focusing our strengths in unique ways, we can build friendships that last a lifetime. Are you an introvert, too? Here are five ways to not only survive, but THRIVE at your next conference.

Megan McKoy-Noe, CCC

April 29, 2022

Blog

Digital Marketing, Member/Consumer Experience, Staff Engagement

How Utilities Can Boost Mobile App Engagement

Electric and broadband utilities often use mobile applications to help members easily manage an account anytime, anywhere, saving precious time and money in the process. NISC's Scott Wild shares three ways to convince late adopters to convert and how to lead with problems to catch consumer attention.

Scott Wild

April 19, 2022

Blog

Energy Efficiency, Marketing Campaigns

Five Ways to Energize Efficiency Marketing

Are your efficiency program messages effective? The pandemic cut off many direct install and community awareness efforts. Efficiency program marketing shifted, too. To meet efficiency goals, tailor your marketing messages. Offer choices, remove barriers, create relevant messages, focus on needs and keep complaints in context.

Miranda Boutelle

April 5, 2022

Blog

Consumer Education, Member/Consumer Experience, Staff Engagement

Three Ways REI Shapes Its Co-op Story

Couldn’t join us at StoryConnect? Here are three co-op storytelling lessons from REI, the nation’s largest consumer co-op, to spark inspiration for electric and telco utility communicators.

Megan McKoy-Noe, CCC

March 28, 2022

Blog

Marketing Campaigns, Pioneer News

Kerry Scott Champions Shared Utility Needs through Pioneer Studio Role 

Kerry Scott brings 17 years of experience to developing Pioneer Studio’s potential. She was promoted to Pioneer Studio lead in January, directing the development of campaign content and scope to ensure members find relevant marketing materials.

Lauren Davi Doucher

March 15, 2022

Blog

Crisis Communications, More Powerful Together, Staff Engagement

Build Your Network Before a Crisis

We can all use a little help sometimes. Get through the next crisis and maybe get a few hours of sleep at night by building a team now, before the crisis strikes. Use these tips to build a network inside your utility, around your community and across the public power family.

Sheila Corson

March 8, 2022

Blog

Member Meetings

Pioneer Survey Finds 60% of Co-ops Plan In-person Member Meetings in 2022

A 2022 survey of Pioneer Social subscribers found most utilities plan for in-person member meetings this year. Learn more about utility meeting trends and share your plans on our best practices blog.

Andy Johns

February 28, 2022