Control Energy Costs

Breathing life into the energy sector

Control Energy Costs provides businesses with tailor-made utility management and procurement solutions to ensure their customers secure the best possible price for their energy and water supplies.

Overview

In 2019, Scaramanga was awarded the commission by Control Energy Costs to be their full-service agency. Our goal was simple: to help them meet their business growth targets by repositioning their brand and implementing the marketing plan we devised to support these aims.

Outcomes

Clearly attracted by our bold approach and love of facing challenges head on, we got to work immediately.

First with a multi-day branding workshop to flesh out their key brand characteristics and ascertain what does/will differentiate them in their sector. This was closely followed by an intense period of collaboration to develop a full marketing strategy and define the deliverables. The first being a new identity to reflect the adjustment to the name. This was closely followed by a website and many other deliverables to support Control Energy Costs on their journey.

Client

Control Energy Costs

Sector

Business (B2B)
Energy

Services

Advertising
Animation
Brand development
Content marketing
Copywriting
Design
Exhibition materials
Marketing
Social media
Strategy
Website

Control Energy Costs’ previous identity was unconfident and contained graphics of silhouetted figures which felt obfuscating and unapproachable – the complete opposite of how they wanted to be perceived. Overall, their visual language did not match the messaging required for today’s audience who are attracted to a more green, socially responsible agenda.

The new visual identity Scaramanga has created for Control Energy Costs is unashamedly confident; utilitarian enough for modern usage across multiple digital platforms and print; distinctive enough to differentiate them from their competitors; flexible enough to expand as their business expands into other markets. In short, it possesses all the hallmarks of a quality brand.

A breath of fresh air

We developed their narrative by focusing on the words ‘and breathe’ that is now embedded in their brand. We want everything about interacting with the Control Energy Costs to be as simple and calm as possible – whilst subtly promoting their green credentials.

This concept is imbued within the copy and imagery used to promote Control Energy Costs.

A mockup of three square brochures, each containing a scenic image with a gradient line dividing the image from the brochure title.

Energy isn't something that we see, it's something we use. And for that reason, many of Control Energy Costs' competitors use 'businessmen in boardroom' style stock imagery. We wanted to avoid this completely as it is an approach that is dated and overused — meaning there is little brand recognition as these images could belong to anyone. Consumers attitudes are shifting especially in regards to energy consumption and being more environmentally responsible so this played a key part in our decision making about the imagery used to represent the business.

Mockup of a laptop, computer, iPad and iPhone showing different pages from the Control Energy Costs website

Marketing Control Energy Costs

Once the makreitng strategy we developed was signed off, the Scaramanga marketing team started working on the implementation. The fundamental goal was to raise awareness of the business and the very strong reasons for choosing the company over and above other energy providers.

Content and social media marketing have been a key part of this to create thought leadership, build recongition and generate new business opportunities. We have built the database and run email regular marketing campaigns.

The web and social media engagement metrics have risen significantly, resulting in numerous new business opportunities. We have also worked with Control Energy Costs to bring new services to market.

We have also worked with their numberous partners, such as Made in the Midlands, to develop advertorial and advertising programmes, both within their member magazines and the microsites they provide for Control Energy Costs.

Control Energy Costs youtube cover image

Ongoing marketing during lockdown

When the lockdown necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic got underway, Control Energy Costs asked us if we could create an animated video to explain what they were doing to help and support clients during the pandemic. Rising to the challenge, our team created an amazing animated video and it was so well received we have been commissioned to create a series of animated videos.

Our increased professional image has generated lots of new interest for the business. This has already allowed us to approach prospective new clients that we would previously have been unlikely to be able to engage with. A year on and what a great decision we made to appoint Scaramanga Agency as our marketing partner. A energetic team full of ideas that are a delight to work with. Their knowledge, passion and enthusiasm, and the fact that they are easy to work with are impressive. It really is that simple
Phil Ager, Managing Director