Winds of change: A cleantech PR case study - We Change Minds

Winds of change: A cleantech PR case study

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In a world increasingly focused on decarbonisation, innovations in renewable energy technology can shape the future of energy generation. Against this background, Katrick Technologies set out with a clear set of objectives aimed at raising its profile in the renewable energy sector. The primary goal was to communicate the technical potential of the company’s Wind Panel technology, targeting 100 pieces of media coverage in the energy sector and generating 25 backlinks, with a focus on cost-effectiveness.

In addition, the campaign aimed to position Katrick as a disruptive force in greentech by securing three pieces of national or prestige media coverage.

CROWDFUNDING WITH RENEWABLES PR

To support its crowdfunding efforts, the plan included generating five pieces of media coverage intended to drive investment. On the digital front, the strategy aimed to increase LinkedIn followers by 20 per cent, targeting senior and director-level professionals in the renewable energy and industrial machinery sectors and launch a LinkedIn newsletter, Energy Through Innovation, to gain 500 subscribers. Finally, the campaign sought to enhance credibility by securing a shortlist placement for a national energy or green tech award.

CLEANTECH PR STRATEGY

As a new technology, Katrick Technologies’ Wind Panel initially had little digital presence, with the company receiving just 50 global searches per month. To address this, a strategic, three-pronged cleantech PR approach was developed. The first objective was to inform audiences about the potential of alternative wind technologies, particularly the Wind Panel’s innovative use of oscillating aerofoils. Secondly, the campaign aimed to position Katrick Technologies as a disruptive force in the greentech sector, raising its profile. The third prong focused on using these efforts to attract investment.

Three key milestones structured the campaign: the company’s partnership with the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), its system testing at the Silverstone Sports Engineering Hub (SSEH) and the Wind Panel reaching Technology Readiness Level (TRL5) in Alpha testing. To maximise coverage, these announcements were supplemented with video content, including interviews and testing footage shared on multiple platforms such as YouTube and LinkedIn.

SUSTAINABLE PR STRATEGY

A core part of the strategy involved meticulous media outreach, targeting journalists in trade and national outlets with an interest in greentech and innovation. Thought leadership content, such as articles on energy resilience and small-scale energy generation for manufacturers, helped maintain media momentum between major updates. Through Stone Junction, Katrick Technologies’ CEO responded to national news stories with letters to the editor, reinforcing the company’s leadership in renewable energy.

All content was shared across multiple channels, including the company’s website and the newly launched LinkedIn newsletter. Award entries and business feature submissions further supported the campaign’s visibility and credibility. The final element was driving investment, culminating in the launch of a crowdfunding campaign, which was announced via a trade press release, repurposed for wider media and LinkedIn distribution.

BANGING RESULTS

The campaign resulted in 211 pieces of trade media coverage, featuring 171 backlinks, surpassing the target by 111 per cent . In addition, six national and prestige media features were secured, including a BBC Click segment that led to key meetings with machine builders and investors. Other notable publications included Yahoo and TechRound, while related YouTube features accumulated 109,000 views.

The crowdfunding campaign exceeded its target by 116 per cent, thanks in part to five investment-related media pieces. Katrick Technologies also saw a 69 per cent increase in LinkedIn followers, with a significant portion of new followers being from the target audience specified in the strategy. The company’s LinkedIn newsletter, gained 822 subscribers, while its articles received 3,772 views on the platform.

Katrick Technologies’ achievements were further recognised by winning the Energy Innovation Award at the National Sustainability Awards 2023 and earning a spot on Business Insider’s 24 for 24: Scottish Companies to Watch. As a result of the media coverage, he company’s CEO was invited to 10 Downing Street, reflecting the impact of the campaign.

“Stone Junction have been instrumental in the outreach and inbound marketing results for Katrick Technologies,” said Alexandra Basso, marketing manager at Katrick Technologies. “Its team of innovative creatives have enabled our company to gain global notoriety and position ourselves as industry thought experts and leaders. Their expertise in effective communication enables us to expand our audience beyond a technical audience to maximise exposure which has helped us raise funding and grow contacts as a burgeoning greentech start up. Without Stone Junction we would not be where we are today.”

To supercharge your sustainable PR, renewables PR or cleantech PR and marketing call Stone Junction today, on +44 (0) 1785 225416, for a free no-obligation initial chat or email us now on cleantechPR@stonejunction.co.uk before you forget. At the very least it will be an interesting chat!

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