What You’ll Learn From cross-branding and tournaments to a local college team sporting the utility’s name on its arena, Michigan’s Midwest Energy & Communications plugs directly into a high-bandwidth internet subscriber audience. Candy Riem shares how Team Midwest turned an esports sponsorship into an effective broadband marketing story. Guest Speaker Candy Riem Show Notes Transcripts […]
Who helped you strengthen your voice and better understand the industry? Help us celebrate unsung heroes in our industry by nominating them for the 2026 Dave D’Avanzo Communications Leadership Award. Nominations are open through April 24.
What You’ll Learn KPIs, NPS, churn—oh my! Data doesn’t have to be daunting. Ty Houglum, CIO at ECE Fiber, shares how his team turns numbers into action, building a culture that makes data meaningful, not mysterious. Notes: Filmed at Calix ConneXions conference. Guest Speaker Ty Houglum Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity […]
We’re two months away from StoryConnect! Our agenda previews what you’ll learn this year, including concise writing, reframing your story for kids, an expanded idea exchange and so much more! Get our top seven learning moments on the blog, then dive into the full agenda for session descriptions. A few spots are left. Sign up to join us on the Puget Sound today!
What You’ll Learn A blank page can be scary—unless you already know what you’re writing. In this episode, Mt. Wheeler Power’s Christina Sawyer shares how using AI to brainstorm story ideas at the start of the year gave her more time to research, write with confidence and even inspire other utilities through the Ruralite share […]
What You’ll Learn From teaching 95-year-olds to stream their favorite shows to connecting the 5,000th home to fiber, Beacon Broadband proves inclusion and innovation go hand in hand. Bill Gerski shares how their Connected Senior Program bridges generations and the ways other Utility Pioneers can replicate the success in their own communities. Notes: Filmed at […]
To help you kick off 2026, we asked our industry partners and Pioneer storytellers to share their storytelling predictions for 2026. How will the way we share stories shift? Is this the year AI reigns or will digitally overloaded consumers rely more on tactile storytelling? Use their insights to guide your story tactics this year!
What You’ll Learn What if every staff member at your utility felt confident answering energy questions? In this episode, Benton PUD’s Jodi Henderson shares how its Empowered program turns staff into energy pros through training built on employee needs. Find out more about the program at bentonpud.org/empowered. Notes: Filmed at NWPPA’s Northwest Innovations in Communications […]
What You’ll Learn When you walk into a legislator’s office, will your story stick or slip away? In this episode, Inland Power & Light’s Andy Barth shares how utilities can move beyond numbers to craft stories lawmakers care about. Notes: Filmed at NWPPA’s Northwest Innovations in Communications conference. Guest Speaker Andy Barth Show Notes Transcripts […]
What You’ll Learn Getting lineworkers to relax and share stories isn’t easy—unless you’ve got a mic and a clever idea. In this episode, Mason PUD 3’s Asia Cline shares how her award-winning staff podcast, “Over the Line,” opens conversations, builds trust and keeps internal communications fresh. Notes: Filmed at NWPPA’s Northwest Innovations in Communications conference. […]
A content planner brings all of your communication channel planning into one place (website, social media, magazine, newsletter, on-hold message, bill insert, etc.). We packed our 2026 guide with important industry dates (both broadband and electric topics) and handy tips for finding and sharing your story next year. Enter your email and we’ll send you […]
Artificial intelligence can feel like magic one moment, madness the next. That was the theme of last week's Madness & Magic: Peer Ideas for Marketing with AI session at NWPPA’s Northwest Innovations in Communications Conference. The conversation was lively, practical and occasionally hilarious as Utility Pioneers swapped stories of wins, worries and lessons learned. Get our top five takeaways.
