Between the coronavirus, election season chaos and the ongoing climate crisis, there’s a lot to worry about in the news. In spite of this we find ourselves feeling sobered, yes, but also still cautiously optimistic. A huge part of that feeling is the fact that as a certified B Corporation, we are surrounded every day by businesses fighting back against impending doom and gloom, choosing to make a positive difference in the world and in local communities.

Topics: Customer-Centric Marketing, B Corporation, Climate Change, Branding and Brand Value, Sustainability Marketing, Company Culture, In the News, Climate and Social Justice

We’ve done the research, dotted the i’s, crossed the t’s and are delighted to share our latest whitepaper on the homeowner’s perspective on home batteries. The whitepaper includes proprietary research that uncovers average homeowners' thoughts on residential energy storage, opportunities to generate interest in residential battery systems and actionable steps to increase home battery installations. Access it for free here!

Topics: Customer-Centric Marketing, Utility Communications, Innovation, B Corporation, Industry Expert Interviews, Research, Clean Energy, Branding and Brand Value, Energy Storage, Climate and Social Justice

Communicating your company’s commitment to a polarizing topic can bring on paralyzing fear. The idea of taking a firm stance on a cause your brand believes in, especially when your competitors are not vocalizing their own beliefs or making their own commitments—whether it is climate change; gender equality; diversity and inclusion; fair labor practices; sexual assault; or LGTBQ issues—can feel risky. This is especially true in 2020, with the way that information is consumed and spread at such a rapid pace with one small, vocal commitment having the potential to go viral. 

Topics: Utility Communications, Climate Change, Content Marketing, Inspiration, Branding and Brand Value, Sustainability Marketing, Creative, B2B marketing, In the News, Climate and Social Justice

Happy almost Thanksgiving! As we inch another day closer to pumpkin pie, turkey and green bean casserole (dessert first, always), the team at KSV certainly has plenty to be thankful for—inspiring clients, innovative colleagues and a community dedicated to creating a better future. We could go on, but we’d be here until New Year’s Eve.

Topics: Climate Change, Sustainability Marketing, In the News, Climate and Social Justice

The Global Climate Strike. The United Nations Climate Action Summit. Greta Thunberg. And KSV. Like everyone else who felt compelled to rise up, we knew we had to do something. Protests and demonstrations are powerful things, but they only create change in the long-term when people refuse to let go of the conversation. To get people to hang on to their hopes for a better future, we created the KSV climate capsule. A collection of messages from concerned citizens inspired by hope for a better tomorrow.

Topics: Innovation, Clean Energy, Climate Change, Content Marketing, Branding and Brand Value, Sustainability Marketing, Climate and Social Justice

We’ve been thinking a lot recently about what things will be like in a hundred years. 

It’s a strange but thought-provoking item to consider.

And while thinking about the next 100 years has started conversations and given us a sense of optimism about the opportunities in front of current and future generations, we cannot help but simultaneously wonder: What about the next 10 years? Five years?

Topics: Innovation, Clean Energy, Climate Change, Content Marketing, Branding and Brand Value, Sustainability Marketing, Climate and Social Justice

A few months back, we talked about how awesome plastic is.

Yes, it is actually terrible. But its terribleness is what makes it so awesome (still with us?) in that it pushes brands up against a wall, forcing immediate change and innovative ideas.

This week, we thought it would be interesting to dive into some of the most recent ways in which brands across the globe are fast-tracking innovation to address the plastic crisis.

Image Credit: Carlsberg

Carlsberg introduces paper beer bottle. In our initial plastics EnergyWire we highlighted the Danish beer brand’s efforts to reduce their own plastic waste with the introduction of the Snap Back, which eliminated the plastic wrapping used to hold six-packs together. The move resulted in a 76 percent reduction in plastic usage compared to previous multipacks.

Now the brand has gone a step further, introducing the first-ever paper beer bottle, made with sustainable and recyclable wood fibers. The unveiling is part of Carlsberg’s Together Toward Zero initiative and, as opposed to a one-and-done effort, showcases their long-term commitment to reducing plastic waste and cutting carbon emissions.

The takeaway: A multi-pronged sustainability strategy that is evident in both the operations of the company and the product itself shows customers that a brand is genuinely committed to solving the problem, versus hopping on the bandwagon of an “of-the-moment” trend.

Los Angeles looks to pave its road with recycled plastic. The people of Los Angeles are no strangers to the problem of pollution and carbon emissions, with residents of Los Angeles County being exposed to 60 percent more vehicle pollution than the average state.

A sobering statistic, especially when one considers that the city faces a plastic waste crisis of its own (on top of the larger, global plastic problem). These obstacles make the announcement of a pilot to pave the city’s roads with recycled plastic that much more significant. The city of Los Angeles has been working with a company called TechniSoil to test out a new method for paving roads using repurposed plastic as a binder. The first pilot site of the project is on track to be constructed in downtown LA later in 2019.

The plastic asphalt will not only reduce production emissions and the cost of materials; it will also be quicker to install, and tests have shown that the plastic paving is six to seven times stronger than regular asphalt. That increased durability means less time being spent re-paving the roads in the future.

The takeaway: Tackling a global crisis in a way that helps solve everyday frustrations for residents and business owners is a win-win for everyone. Yes, consumers care about the plastic crisis. But they are also deeply and frustratingly affected by day-to-day urban infrastructure issues that have a significant effect on their quality of life. Using recycled plastic to solve day-to-day issues like poor road conditions brings the focus back home, while simultaneously showing the city’s larger commitment to the big picture.

What are some other recent initiatives brands have unveiled as a way to address the plastic crisis? We’d love to hear which ones have caught your eye.

Topics: Innovation, Climate Change, Sustainability Marketing, Climate and Social Justice

Drowning would suck. Freezing to death would also suck. But burning alive as the entire planet watches? Now that's hands-down the suckiest way to die. 

Topics: Innovation, Clean Energy, Climate Change, Inspiration, Sustainability Marketing, Climate and Social Justice

You get to use it once and throw it away.

Topics: Customer-Centric Marketing, Innovation, Clean Energy, Climate Change, Inspiration, Sustainability Marketing, Climate and Social Justice

Earlier this week, a few KSV staffers were fortunate enough to attend BLD New England, a day-long conference that brought together B Corps from all over the New England region to connect, collaborate and inspire one another to expand the practice of using business as a force for good. In the lead up to this year’s event, we were honored to be able to put together BLD New England’s promotional video.

Topics: Customer-Centric Marketing, B Corporation, Clean Energy, Climate Change, Inspiration, Branding and Brand Value, Sustainability Marketing, Company Culture, In the News, Climate and Social Justice