Cool Keeper is an example of a tool Rocky Mountain Power is deploying to be wattsmart.

Jeff Hymas of Rocky Mountain Power is making the media rounds in Utah to spread the wattsmart message. This week Jeff appeared on Salt Lake’s NBC affiliate to discuss energy saving tips.

This post from STAND FOR LESS gives an overview of the power grid and discusses issues affecting the grid as we look forward to a future with cleaner energy. Thank you Rocky Mountain Power for implementing Cool Keeper in Utah! It’s an important innovation as we move to smarten our power grid.

PacifiCorp is the parent company to Pacific Power and Rocky Mountain Power.

An important goal of our client Rocky Mountain Power is to encourage efficient energy use. In order to increase awareness of ways to reduce energy consumption, Rocky Mountain Power recently created its wattsmart campaign and RIESTER helped launch this with an event that effectively blended old and new marketing tactics.

Rocky Mountain Power is in the business of delivering reliable power while working to ensure the long-term sustainability and affordability of electrical service to its customers. RIESTER is in the business of marketing—sticking to simple strategies while using the latest tools. The wattsmart launch last week is an excellent example of all of these elements coming together.

We held the launch event at the home arena of the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City. The Jazz are the only NBA team in the Rocky Mountain Power service area and they garner significant local attention. The launch was on April 6 during “Green Week,” an annual event held by the NBA and the National Resources Defense Council.

Arena events are an old tool for marketers and they are rich with opportunity. Large arena events are covered on television and maintain healthy audiences at a time when television audiences are increasingly fractured. Because of the high-energy atmosphere and the attention garnered by the sports event, local media tend to already be present providing coverage.

Some key elements for Rocky Mountain Power’s participation in the NBA’s Green Week and wattsmart launch:

A utility truck was parked at the main entrance with a lineman talking to Jazz fans about how they can reduce their energy use. This was a simple but potent way to get people’s attention as they filed into the arena and it was an irresistible visual for print and TV reporters.

A T-shirt giveaway provided additional information to fans as they filed in. Fans were asked to answer simple questions related to energy efficiency, giving them small, but powerful reminders of how to reduce their energy use – as well as a tangible take-away with a wattsmart t-shirt.

A text messaging component during the first part of the game engaged fans and served as a way to select contestants for the main event of the evening for Rocky Mountain Power.

The main event: The wattsmart Challenge. Ten obstacles were placed on the court. The winners of the texting contest came down to the court, maneuvered through the obstacles (7-foot tall  cut-outs with energy efficiency tips that were designed to be read from anywhere in the arena as well as easily read by home viewers).  The first contestant to sink a basket after maneuvering the course received a package of energy-efficient prizes.

Collateral to drive traffic to Rocky Mountain Power’s wattsmart website, Facebook page and Twitter account.

The wattsmart launch was a success. It took advantage of a high-profile sporting event, included a new media texting component and attained a level of attention that helped Rocky Mountain Power achieve its goals of encouraging customers to become more wattsmart.

You can become a fan and view photos from the event at the wattsmart Facebook page.

Visit www.wattsmart.com to learn more about conserving energy.

Rocky Mountain Power, a division of Pacificorp, is on Twitter @RMP_Utah.

A Rocky Mountain Power lineman welcomed Utah Jazz fans to the stadium.

One thousand lucky Jazz fans got new T-shirts and joined the Green Team.

The media covered the event, both outside and on the court.

RIESTER is honored to work with Pacific Power, and we especially enjoyed helping to create this video to celebrate their first 100 years.

How we generate the power that is vital to our lives is one of the top green issues of our times, an issue where Pacific Power is leading the way.

As you sit back and enjoy, keep in mind all of the people behind the scenes that bring power to you.

Pacific Power, is a division of PacifiCorp and part of MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company.

The reliability of electricity from utilities is a marvel of the modern world. Our client, Pacificorp parent company of Rocky Mountain Power and Pacific Power, is running a campaign focused on providing helpful tips to customers to save energy, money and be safe. The spots are short, only 15-seconds. This format was perfect for dramatizing a message in a clear and simple way. Simple acts of conservation repeated by millions of consumers of electricity will help us all save money and lower our impact on the environment.

Pacificorp provides an important and vital public service.