lady sitting on counter in laundry room

Santee Cooper

The Specs
Client
Santee Cooper
Industry
Energy & Utilities
Services
Media Research & Analysis
Email Marketing
Marketing Intelligence
Video & Production
Media & Digital Strategy
Social Media
Brand Strategy
Interactive & Analytics
Creative & Content
Santees and Coopers Mailboxes
A Face-Off to Defeat the Peak

Santee Cooper had a challenge: explain to 2 million South Carolinians that using appliances at the wrong time of day could cost them. But “energy education” isn’t exactly must-see TV—unless you make it one. Enter: The Santees vs. The Coopers—a suburban showdown where bragging rights (and smaller power bills) were on the line.

Family in living room
Approach
From Energy Talk to Family Feud
Instead of lectures and charts, we gave people characters to root for. The Santees and the Coopers—two friendly, high-energy families—went head-to-head in a series of lighthearted videos packed with practical tips and inside-joke relatability. Because let’s face it: you’re way more likely to shift your laundry routine if a fictional dad in khakis makes you laugh first.
Couple Cheersing cups
Integrated Campaign
Meet the Santees and Coopers
We brought the energy (pun intended) with broadcast-quality spots covering everything from summer peaks to toaster timing. Each video focused on one simple behavior change—explained in plain speak, acted out with a wink, and delivered with enough charm to make viewers smile and switch off the dishwasher.
santee cooper outdoor boards
santee cooper outdoor board
mom with arms crossed doing laundry
Social
Scroll-Stopping Energy Tips
We didn’t just post content—we pulled customers into each character’s world. Through playful short-form videos, we let the Santees and Coopers show off their quirks and their energy-saving tricks, turning every scroll into a teachable moment. Using an AI-powered workflow, we transformed behind-the-scenes photography into an endless stream of vibrant, eye-catching social content that kept the story fresh—and peak hours top of mind.
santee cooper social post in phone
man loading washing machine
dad and daughter at dishwasher
Programmatic
Smarter Targeting, Broader Reach
To make sure no household missed the memo, we deployed precision-targeted media across Santee Cooper’s service area. Paid social and programmatic ads served the campaign straight to local screens—right when customers were planning dinner or Googling energy-saving tips. Smart habits, meet smart targeting.
person holding tablet with santee cooper banner ads
santee cooper banner ads
Results
The Showdown That Sparked a Shift
In just one month, customers tuned in, clicked through, and started learning how to “Defeat the Peak.” Proof that even utility campaigns can become crowd-pleasers when you add a little rivalry and a lot of heart.
3.73M+ ↑
total impressions across channels
1.29M+ ↑
completed video views (79% view-through rate)
32K+ ↑
website sessions with a 40% engagement rate
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