CLEVELAND — At a time of increasing focus on energy policy and global growth in the energy sector – especially alternative energy – Dix & Eaton announced today that it has harnessed its decades of experience serving the industry by creating an energy practice. The practice helps organizations in the energy and alternative energy markets – as well as companies that serve those markets – establish or enhance brand and product positions among critical stakeholders.
The practice builds on the firm’s depth of experience in serving clients in the energy services, utility, mining, oil and gas, and environmental industries and manufacturers serving those markets. It is led by Gregg LaBar, senior vice president, who has managed a variety of energy- and environment-related client engagements and projects during his 12 years at Dix & Eaton, and has written more than 300 articles, press releases and other documents on energy, sustainability, environmental matters, safety management and other issues.
“Although Dix & Eaton has been serving energy clients for many years, we are seeing increased demand for specialized communications expertise within this sector, both regionally and nationally,” said Scott Chaikin, Dix & Eaton chairman and chief executive officer. “Formalizing our energy practice under Gregg’s strong leadership enables us to better leverage our industry expertise as well as our broad capabilities to employ sound communications strategies to address energy-specific challenges.”
Drawing upon the firm’s strengths in national media relations, customer communications and crisis communications, notable recent energy projects include introducing ReStore Energy Systems, the new renewable energy/lithium ion battery division of Atlanta-based Exide Technologies; launching the brand and website for NorTech Energy Enterprise, which serves as the focal point for Northeast Ohio’s advanced energy cluster; and, at the request of Massey Energy’s insurance carrier, helping shape communications strategy and outreach to families and the news media in the aftermath of the April explosion at Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia.
The firm’s energy clients also include Energizer, International Coal Group, The Timken Company’s wind energy solutions business, LVI Services’ Power Services Division, and GLWN. Dix & Eaton is a member of Northeast Ohio’s Advanced Energy Industry Cluster (coordinated by NorTech Energy Enterprise), and a Gigawatt member of GLWN, an international wind energy supply chain advisory group based in Cleveland.
Other recent work for energy clients has included providing trade, national and international media relations support; building tools to empower employees and sales forces to be effective “brand ambassadors”; supporting companies and organizations at industry trade shows; providing investor relations and corporate communications support in telling a company’s “energy story”; and developing an organization’s thought leadership profile through speaking opportunities, expert articles and social media postings.
LaBar is involved in content development, project management and communications strategy for clients in energy and other industries. LaBar also regularly publishes the ThreePs sustainability communications blog and is on Twitter (@ThreePs).
Before joining Dix & Eaton in 1998, LaBar spent 12 years in the local and trade press as an editor for EHS Today magazine (formerly known as Occupational Hazards), which serves the occupational safety and health and environmental management fields, and as sports editor of The Punxsutawney Spirit, a daily newspaper in Punxsutawney, Pa. He holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, Pa.
For more information about the Dix & Eaton energy practice, including client case studies, visit the energy section of the Dix & Eaton website, or visit Booth 3423 (GLWN member) at WINDPOWER 2010.
Dix & Eaton is an integrated communications consultancy specializing in public relations, investor relations, crisis communications and customer communications. Working as partners, we bring deep experience, foresight and creativity to every relationship and help clients realize the full power of communication to drive results. Founded in 1952, Dix & Eaton has twice been named the nation’s best midsized firm. For more information, visit www.dix-eaton.com.