Co-op Means More: Driving Membership Growth for NEC Co-op Energy
Situation
NEC Co-op Energy competes in a crowded, price-driven Texas market where most consumers see electricity as a commodity. As a member-owned co-op, NEC needed to boost visibility, grow enrollments, and clearly communicate why its community-first model is different. Schaefer was engaged to build an integrated campaign that would drive 3–5% annual member growth and reframe energy in human terms—showing the real value of choosing a co-op.
Goals
- Increase awareness of NEC Co-op Energy in key growth markets through full-funnel marketing
- Drive new member sign-ups with a target of 3% annual growth (stretch goal: 4–5%)
- Deliver audience-specific messaging to address key needs and decision drivers
- Differentiate NEC through co-op benefits like PowerPerks, Capital Credits, and community impact

Strategy
Schaefer developed a comprehensive go-to-market strategy centered around the idea that “Co-op Means More.” The campaign leveraged the inherent value of co-ops — shared ownership, community reinvestment, and financial benefits — and brought those to life through bold creative and human-centered storytelling.
At the core of this strategy was the defining insight that energy is invisible, providers feel identical, and rate-shopping can be transactional. NEC Co-Op Energy had the opportunity to make electricity feel human by elevating the emotional and financial value of belonging to a co-op community.
Through full-funnel tactics, we engaged audiences across the entire customer journey. Audience segmentation enabled tailored messaging by audience persona. And each persona received a tailored value proposition. For example, Retirees saw messaging about stability and Capital Credit payouts; Young Professionals received PowerPerks and savings-forward messaging; and Small Business Owners saw messaging about reliability and predictable budgeting benefits.
Schaefer implemented a responsive media mix that allowed for real-time optimizations and platform-specific creative enhancements to maximize performance and drive conversion.

Solution
Schaefer repositioned NEC Co-op Energy from a rate-based alternative to a true community partner, highlighting the real value of co-op membership. We launched an integrated campaign that reached consumers at every stage of the funnel with a unified, people-first message.
The campaign activated across paid search, direct response, connected TV, streaming audio, programmatic display, and social platforms to capture both high-intent shoppers and broader awareness audiences in key Texas markets. Email nurture and targeted media ensured each segment—from young professionals to retirees—received relevant, timely messaging.
All channels drove to a streamlined landing page that anchored conversions and supported continuous optimization throughout the campaign.

Creative Execution
The creative platform — “Co-op Means More” — used a flexible message architecture that made the complex co-op story feel immediate and personal. Built around words that begin with “co,” the campaign highlighted emotional and economic benefits alike: community, connection, collaboration, cost savings, and more.
As a linguistic device, the “co-” was more than a creative flourish; it served as a mnemonic system that reinforced shared ownership, grounded the brand in values of cooperation, and allowed messages to flex by audience while remaining unmistakably tied to the brand’s ethos.
From broadcast-quality CTV spots to thumb-stopping paid social, every asset aimed to make people feel the human side of energy. Visuals featured video and photos of real community members in everyday moments — families, neighbors, teammates — paired with bold headlines like:
- “Power that pays you back”
- “Perks that power passion”
- “Wallet wins, funded by fun”
- “Co-op means more for you and your community”
Video and static executions were adapted for every channel, ensuring consistency in voice while optimizing for performance. The design system leaned into vibrant colors, co-op iconography, and a warm, friendly tone that stood apart from traditional providers.

Outcome
By Q3, the campaign had delivered NEC Co-op Energy’s strongest performance to date — reaching new audiences at scale, increasing engagement across platforms, and driving measurable growth in membership.
From July to September 2025 alone:
- The campaign generated 16.3 million impressions and 184,000 clicks — a +143% lift in impressions and +588% increase in clicks quarter-over-quarter
- Paid media drove over 9,100 “Become a Member” CTA clicks via the NEC website
- 3,570 new member accounts were added in Q3 — the highest performing quarter on record
Performance by channel:
- Paid Search led all conversion sources, accounting for nearly 20% of total activations
- Meta campaigns delivered 17K+ clicks, a 29% increase QoQ, with cost-efficient performance across both B2B and B2C targets
- OTT video achieved a 99.46% completion rate, while streaming audio maintained a 98% completion rate, reflecting high engagement in awareness channels
Since campaign inception in November 2024, NEC Co-op Energy has grown from 59,842 to 62,822 total accounts — reaching 5% annual growth and fulfilling the stretch goal months ahead of schedule.
More importantly, the campaign reframed NEC Co-op Energy’s role in the market, from a utility provider to a community partner, strengthening long-term loyalty and reinforcing the value of the co-op model for modern consumers.








































