The McDonnell Group

“The McDonnell Group’s knowledge-based public relations have accelerated the visibility of UISOL in the marketplace.”

Ali Vojdani, CEO
UISOL

Overview

Electrical utilities from the largest regional grid operators to rural co-operatives look to Utility Integration Solutions (UISOL) for leadership in systems integration and standards compliance for utility applications and business process transformation. Serving the industry since its inception in 2002, UISOL also has developed a growing portfolio of integration software licensed to more than 50 companies in over 20 countries.  Its signature DRBizNet® software system is establishing itself as a tool of choice among market operators, utilities and other service providers for implementing demand response management (DRM) and market integration.

UISOL first sought the utility-focused public relations services of the McDonnell Group in 2007, retaining the firm to construct a strategic and aggressive public relations campaign that increased visibility and positioned UISOL as the leader in the field. Three years later, UISOL is a thriving business with The McDonnell Group as a partner to effectively protect and project their brand and foster long-term company growth.

Objective

UISOL sought the services of the McDonnell Group in 2007 to refine and establish company brand awareness to support aggressive growth objectives while building UISOL’s position as the leader in utility business transformation and smart integration services.  With many of their original objectives already achieved, such as opening a subsidiary software business, their current objective is to maintain rapid growth and protect their brand awareness, visibility and perception of leadership.

Strategy

The McDonnell Group provides UISOL with a research-based marketing strategy, program advisory services and media relations. TMG helps propel UISOL’s messaging into target markets, emphasizing the information that decision-makers find necessary in selecting software solutions and systems integration services. In 2007, TMG helped define the UISOL company strategic message platform to support market repositioning and its new corporate website.  Through retained agency of record engagement, TMG continually takes stock of the market to refine and refresh messages to appeal to the ever-changing smart grid market.

TMG continues to emphasize brand positioning around smart integration programs for the utility industry, pairing UISOL with the top analysts and journalists to communicate the value of their software solutions and services to target markets. Additionally, TMG works in an advisory capacity with executive leadership to support internal communications and marketing programs.

Results

The McDonnell Group successfully built a sustainable, highly cost-effective and growth-driven public relations program through trade article placements, news releases, speaking engagements, and inclusion in key national media outlets both print and online.  These efforts helped land UISOL in the Inc. 500 for 2009, being one of the fastest growing companies in America, with 744% growth between 2005 and 2008. POWERGRID International honored UISOL’s program with PJM as the Demand Response Project of the Year for 2010 and UISOL's work in support of CalISO was a runner up for this same award for 2011. From the time of TMG's engagement to 2010, UISOL's revenue more than quadrupled to $11 million, and on March 21, 2011 ALSTOM announced that it had acquired UISOL for an undisclosed amount. UISOL continues to operate as an Alstom Grid company.

Previous < Case Studies Main > Next