Marketing Your Marathon Program

Here are some ideas that Marathon utility customers have been very successful with.  If you have a success story, please share by sending us an email.  We can also put you in touch with the contact persons for the ideas listed below.

Marketing Collaterals

Displays

This attractive display graces the lobby of Habersham EMC in Clarkesville, GA.  The Marathon program has proven very successful and most members when given the features of the Marathon opted for the Marathon instead of the steel heater Habersham also offered.  In August of 2002, Habersham discontinued their steel program to focus all their efforts on promoting the Marathon.  For more information contact Kenneth McEntire, Director of Member Services at kennethm@hemc.net

Shows

The four electric cooperatives of New York decided to jointly sponsor a Marathon booth at the 2002 Central NY Farm Progress Show.  The utilities decided to offer a special "Show Price" that will be honored through December and good at any one of the cooperatives.  This is also a great venue to give your utility visibility in the region. For more information, contact Bob Murdock, CEO of Otsego Electric at rmurdock@otsegoec.coop

Strategy

West River Electric Association in Rapid City, SD had a lot of success when they erected this sign directly outside the window of their local IOU competitor.  According to Dave Holt of member services, the phone rang off the wall for months.   Unfortunately, after a year of losing sales, the offended utility fired back with their own billboard.  For more information, contact Dave Holte, West River Electric Association at dholte@westriver.com