Walk into any coffee shop in Vermont or visit any ski hill, and you’ll see heads covered in patterns of brightly colored flowers, butterflies, or tiny foxes, paired with neck warmers clad in similarly cheerful patterns pulled up over chilled rosy cheeks.  In 2008, when Corinne Prevot, a crafty high schooler, started making hats for herself and her ski teammates, this explosion of colored patterns on slopes and in towns began. Sixteen years later, Prevot is now the founder behind the growing, beloved Vermont brand Skida. Many things have changed since her first hats, but the delightful patterns remain her signature.

Topics: Innovation, Industry Expert Interviews, Inspiration, Branding and Brand Value, Sustainability Marketing, Vermont, Marketing Strategy and Best Practices, Sustainable Brands, Branding

Edited for content and clarity by Chris H. Hadgis

In 1987, Stan Day’s invention of the Grip Shift, or the bike gear twist, “changed the world.” Since then, the company now known as SRAM has grown, adapted, and acquired 14 additional brands along the way. 

Soon-to-be former VP of Marketing at SRAM, David Zimberoff (DZ), earned a highly-unique departure gift: he got to select the replacement for his role at SRAM to pursue his dream of designing a low-cost, sustainable, mobility solution for rural communities.

Topics: Customer-Centric Marketing, Innovation, Industry Expert Interviews, Climate Change, Inspiration, Branding and Brand Value, Company Culture, In the News, Marketing Strategy and Best Practices, Sustainable Brands

As part of our Industry Expert Interview series, we had the pleasure of speaking with Jenny Kalanges, Vice President of Membership at 1% for the Planet. 1% For the Planet is a global organization whose members contribute at least one percent of their annual revenue to environmental causes to protect the planet. The aim of the certification is to offer accountability, prevent greenwashing, and "certify reputable giving."

Topics: B Corporation, Industry Expert Interviews, Climate Change, Inspiration, Branding and Brand Value, Sustainability Marketing, Company Culture, In the News, Climate and Social Justice, Sustainable Brands

Climate change, if you haven’t heard, is real¹.

As advertisers and brands, it falls on us to do what we can to tell the story of a realistic, more sustainable future. We have a duty to do so responsibly and in a way that not only resonates, but drives people to actually change. And yet, one major hurdle still stands in the way: the continued political polarization of the topic. 

Responsible advertising related to climate change must break through this polarization to reach a wide audience, make sustainability a priority for brands, and continue to shift public opinion.

Topics: Clean Energy, Climate Change, Branding and Brand Value, Sustainability Marketing, Climate and Social Justice, Sustainable Brands

“Ours is a banal sort of apocalypse,” Amanda Hess wrote recently in her New York Times essay “Apocalypse When? Global Warming’s Endless Scroll.”

“From Don’t Look Up to Greta Thunberg videos to doomsaying memes, we are awash in warnings that we are almost out of time. But the climate crisis is outpacing our emotional capacity to describe it.”

Topics: Innovation, B Corporation, Climate Change, Inspiration, Branding and Brand Value, Sustainability Marketing, Marketing Strategy and Best Practices, Climate and Social Justice, Sustainable Brands

The American Forest Foundation wins donors. The planet wins trees. KSV wins three shiny new friends: Gold. Gold. And Silver.

Topics: B Corporation, Climate Change, Inspiration, Branding and Brand Value, Creative, In the News, Climate and Social Justice, Creative Showcase, Sustainable Brands

In our previous EnergyWire, we revisited a few Industry Expert Interviews that we’ve had over the past two years. As we wind down yet another year of unexpected twists and turns, we find ourselves reflective and looking at the year ahead, gleaning inspiration and gearing up for whatever comes next in 2022. 

There’s no better way to do that than to revisit a few more interviews with some of the best and brightest leaders at purpose-driven companies in the US and Canada. Check out our final round up of Industry Expert Interviews and let us know: as your organization heads into 2022, what are some of the thoughts, ideas and conversations inspiring you the most? We’d love to hear from you!

Topics: B Corporation, Industry Expert Interviews, Branding and Brand Value, Sustainable Brands

At the start of 2020, KSV kicked off Industry Expert Interviews, a new content marketing series we implemented as a way to hear more from purpose-driven organizations around the country, get inspired and have great conversations with innovative and talented individuals.

Topics: Customer-Centric Marketing, B Corporation, Industry Expert Interviews, Branding and Brand Value, Sustainable Brands

The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed a marked shift in the average consumer, highlighting health and well-being as a top consideration for consumer purchasing decisions while simultaneously creating a shift in how consumers made those purchases. The growing urgency of the call to act on climate change, coupled with awareness around environmental justice and true commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion, also meant that consumers significantly changed how and where they were spending their money. 

Topics: B Corporation, Climate Change, Branding and Brand Value, Marketing Strategy and Best Practices, Climate and Social Justice, Sustainable Brands

At very first glance, Sunsoil, a Vermont-based organic CBD company, may seem like “one of many” when it comes to the increasingly saturated CBD supplement market. But a look through their website, their branding and even a cursory second glance at their story will leave you happily surprised.

Topics: Innovation, Branding and Brand Value, Company Culture, Creative, Vermont, Creative Showcase, Sustainable Brands