Who Is PACO Collective?

PACO Collective is a culture-first marketing agency headquartered in Chicago. The agency focuses on helping brands connect with audiences through real human insight, creativity, and emerging technologies.

The agency describes itself as future-ready, blending cultural intelligence, creative storytelling, and data-driven marketing strategies to help organizations grow and engage audiences more authentically. In addition, their approach goes beyond traditional multicultural marketing by looking deeper at the cultural motivations and behaviors that influence how people interact with brands and programs.

PACO has built a strong reputation in the Midwest marketing landscape. For example, the agency has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing agencies in the region and has been named a Great Place to Work for seven consecutive years. Their leadership, including CEO Ozzie Godinez—recognized as 2023 Entrepreneur of the Year by CLN—continues to push the agency forward with an emphasis on creativity, cultural understanding, and innovation.

PACO Collective Services at a Glance

PACO Collective offers a range of integrated marketing capabilities that can be deployed individually or combined to support larger campaigns and initiatives.

Cultural Strategy & Insights

Understanding audiences is the foundation of PACO’s work. Their team identifies cultural insights, behavioral trends, and market opportunities that guide smarter marketing decisions.

Creative & Content Development

From campaign platforms to social-first storytelling, PACO develops creative work designed to resonate with audiences and capture attention in today’s digital environment.

Full-Funnel Media Strategy & Performance

PACO plans and optimizes media strategies across channels to ensure messages reach the right audiences at the right moment while maintaining measurable performance.

Experiential & Community Engagement

Through partnerships, events, and community-driven initiatives, PACO helps brands build trust and relevance where audiences live and interact.

Together, these capabilities help organizations build campaigns that are culturally relevant, strategically targeted, and designed to inspire action.

An Award-Winning Collaboration

Equinox Creative has collaborated with PACO Collective on multiple energy efficiency marketing campaigns. Together, we combine our expertise in energy program communications with PACO’s cultural insight and audience engagement strategies.

Our teams work together to ensure campaign messaging reflects the real communities energy programs aim to serve. As a result, campaigns can reach audiences more effectively and create stronger engagement.

One notable example of this collaboration is the Inspire to Save campaign, which received the 2025 MEEA Inspiring Efficiency Award for Marketing. In particular, the campaign demonstrated how culturally informed messaging and thoughtful creative execution can help energy efficiency programs connect with audiences in meaningful ways.

You can learn more about the campaign in our previous article.

Ultimately, collaborations like this highlight how partnerships between agencies with complementary expertise can elevate campaign performance and deliver measurable results for energy programs.

As energy efficiency and clean energy initiatives continue to expand, culturally informed marketing will remain essential. By working alongside PACO Collective, we combine deep industry knowledge with cultural insight to develop campaigns that resonate with the audiences programs are designed to serve.

If you’d like to learn more about other organizations we collaborate with, explore our Partner Organizations page and discover how shared expertise drives success across the industry.

Who Is Liberty Creative Solutions?

Founded in 1964, Liberty Creative Solutions (Liberty) has grown from a small print shop into a nationally recognized provider of print, promotional products, fulfillment, creative, and data-driven communication services. Now led by its third generation of family leadership, Liberty blends decades of experience with modern technology and innovation.

What sets Liberty apart is their ability to integrate traditional print and direct mail with data technologies, security protocols, and logistics management. They help organizations create omni-channel brand experiences that combine physical materials with modern customer expectations.

Liberty’s distinction goes even further. As a WBENC-certified Women’s Business Enterprise and a HITRUST-certified organization, Liberty operates in a rare space where supplier diversity and rigorous data security standards intersect. This combination places them among a select group of providers who can deliver both compliance-driven security and certified diverse supplier value—an increasingly important consideration for enterprise organizations and regulated industries.

Their mission is clear: provide a personalized approach to executing communication goals while delivering high-quality materials with precision, creativity, and on-time reliability.

Liberty Creative Solutions Services at a Glance

Liberty offers a comprehensive suite of services designed to support marketing execution, brand consistency, and operational efficiency.

Print Solutions

Liberty translates communication goals into high-quality printed collateral, from direct mail and marketing materials to personalized, variable one-to-one communications. Their reinvestment in state-of-the-art print technologies allows for targeted messaging and efficient production.

For clean energy programs, this capability is especially valuable when personalization and compliance matter.

Promotional Products

Liberty’s curated promotional product offerings extend brand engagement beyond traditional marketing channels. From classic branded merchandise to targeted incentive items, their solutions help organizations create lasting connections with customers, partners, and trade allies.

Promotional items often serve as high-visibility touchpoints within campaigns, workforce initiatives, and event activations.

Kitting & Fulfillment

With fully in-house storage, packaging, and distribution services, Liberty streamlines logistics from ideation to delivery. Their centrally located fulfillment center enables coast-to-coast distribution while maintaining tight quality control.

Data Technologies & Security Services

Liberty integrates data management and automation tools that power variable communications and streamline campaign execution. Their scalable technology solutions centralize processes and support consistent implementation.

Equally important, Liberty maintains strict security protocols and industry-standard compliance practices to safeguard sensitive information. Their secure facilities and risk management processes provide peace of mind when handling customer and program data.

A Trusted Midwest Partner

EQX values Liberty not only for their comprehensive capabilities, but also for their responsiveness and partnership mindset. Being local to the Chicago area has allowed Liberty to step in quickly during urgent production moments, helping us meet tight deadlines without sacrificing quality.

As EQX develops brand strategies, creative campaigns, and program materials for clean energy clients, Liberty ensures those ideas are produced, packaged, and delivered with precision. Their family-oriented culture, adaptability, and commitment to service align closely with our own approach.

Together, EQX and Liberty help organizations move from strategy to tangible execution—ensuring that every printed piece, promotional item, and shipped package reflects the strength of the brand behind it.

If you’d like to learn more about other organizations we collaborate with, explore our Partner Organizations page and discover how shared expertise drives success across the industry.

Who Is Revolve Promotions?

Revolve Promotions is a Madison, Wisconsin–based company providing custom sustainable branded merchandise, apparel, and promotional products for organizations and events. Founded in 2010 as a division of I’m Organic, LLC, Revolve brings deep expertise in eco-friendly sourcing, design, and fulfillment to the advertising specialty industry.

Revolve was created to address a growing need for sustainable options in branded merchandise—without sacrificing quality, creativity, or reliability. Rather than focusing on disposable swag, their approach emphasizes useful products made from responsible materials that reflect an organization’s long-term values.

What sets Revolve Promotions apart is their consultative, hands-on process. They work closely with clients to understand brand goals, budgets, and audiences, then identify merchandise solutions that align with sustainability commitments and real-world constraints.

Their philosophy is straightforward: branded merchandise should be meaningful, responsibly produced, and designed to keep the conversation going long after an event ends.

Revolve Promotions Services at a Glance

Revolve Promotions offers a full suite of sustainable merchandise and promotional services designed to support brand visibility, engagement, and environmental responsibility, including:

Sustainable Branded Merchandise & Promotional Products

Revolve sources and produces a wide range of eco-friendly promotional items, including products made from recycled materials, organic fibers, bamboo, FSC-certified materials, and other responsible alternatives. Each item is selected to balance usefulness, durability, and sustainability.

They also help clients communicate why a product is sustainable, turning merchandise into a brand-aligned conversation piece rather than a giveaway.

Sustainable Apparel

Revolve provides custom apparel options that allow organizations to wear their values. Offerings include organic cotton t-shirts, recycled cotton hats, bamboo polos, and recycled water-bottle fleece jackets.

All apparel sourcing prioritizes fair labor practices, with U.S.-made options available whenever possible.

Custom Screen Printing & Embroidery

Custom decoration services use inks free from harmful chemicals such as PVC, phthalates, and heavy metals. This ensures apparel and merchandise are safer for both people and the environment, without compromising visual quality or durability.

Design & Promotion Support

Revolve offers design support for logos, apparel graphics, and promotional materials tied to merchandise campaigns. Their team helps brands visually connect sustainability choices back to broader messaging and brand identity.

This support ensures sustainable products don’t stand alone, but instead reinforce the organization’s story.

Collaboration That Supports Sustainable Brand Experiences

EQX works with Revolve Promotions because sustainability is built into every decision they make—not added as an afterthought.

Last year, Revolve partnered with EQX to support our rebranded presence at the AESP conference, which we considered our official launch as Equinox Creative. From the beginning, the goal was to create branded promotional items that aligned with our values—useful, thoughtfully sourced, and intentionally designed to reflect our commitment to sustainability.

Revolve worked closely with our team to identify and produce rebranded swag that supported that vision while staying on budget and on schedule. The result was merchandise that felt like a natural extension of our brand, not just another conference giveaway.

As EQX supports clean energy programs, organizations, and partners, Revolve helps ensure that branded materials reflect the same care, responsibility, and long-term thinking that define our work. Together, we help organizations create brand experiences that are consistent, intentional, and aligned with sustainability goals.

If you’d like to learn more about other organizations we collaborate with, explore our Partner Organizations page and discover how shared expertise drives success across the industry.

Who Is Source4?

Source4 is a national company providing Integrated Business and Marketing Solutions for organizations across industries. For more than four decades, they’ve built their reputation on innovation, flexibility, and the ability to tailor solutions to evolving client needs.

What sets Source4 apart is their ability to combine print, fulfillment, technology, and logistics into a single, cohesive solution. From creative services and digital or offset printing to distribution, e-procurement portals, and event support, Source4 helps organizations manage complexity while maintaining brand consistency and operational efficiency.

Their philosophy is simple: think outside the box, embrace new technologies, and deliver cost-effective solutions that make it easier for clients to manage their business and marketing efforts.

Source4 Services at a Glance

Source4 offers a comprehensive range of services designed to support both marketing execution and operational needs, including:

Print & Marketing Communications

Source4 provides digital and offset printing, wide-format signage, direct mail, and promotional products. With print centers located in Virginia, Illinois, and North Carolina, they support short-run, personalized, and high-volume production.

Digital print technology allows organizations to deliver targeted, relevant messaging. It also supports faster turnaround times and reduced print waste.

Fulfillment & Distribution

Source4 delivers flexible B2B and B2C fulfillment through inventory-synced U.S. distribution centers. Services include kitting, labeling, inventory management, returns processing, and same-day shipping for orders received before designated cutoff times.

These capabilities help ensure materials arrive on time and in the correct format, regardless of scale.

Technology & Marketing Portals

Source4’s proprietary platforms, including IMAGE™, Content on Demand, and E-DocuPortal, streamline ordering, fulfillment, and reporting. These tools help organizations reduce costs, maintain brand standards, and gain real-time visibility into usage and inventory.

Technology plays a key role in supporting consistent execution across distributed teams and locations.

Production-Focused Creative Support

Source4 offers in-house design support focused on preparing and adapting materials for production, print, and distribution. Their team works within established brand guidelines. This ensures layouts, formats, and specifications are optimized for efficient execution across print, fulfillment, and marketing channels.

This production-focused approach supports scalable rollouts and maintains consistency. It is especially valuable for programs and campaigns developed by EQX.

Event & Trade Show Support

Source4 provides end-to-end event support, including booth design, storage, logistics, promotional items, apparel, and asset management software. These services reduce the need to coordinate multiple vendors and simplify event execution.

Collaboration That Elevates Voices

EQX works with Source4 because they understand what it takes to execute complex programs at scale. As EQX develops brands, campaigns, and creative strategies for clean energy programs, Source4 ensures those ideas are carried through every printed piece, shipment, and touchpoint.

From campaign collateral and workforce development materials to event signage and ongoing program fulfillment, Source4 helps maintain consistency, quality, and efficiency across deliverables. Their ability to integrate print, technology, and logistics supports smooth execution behind the scenes.

Together, EQX and Source4 help organizations move from concept to delivery without losing momentum, accuracy, or brand integrity.

If you’d like to learn more about other organizations we collaborate with, explore our Partner Organizations page and discover how shared expertise drives success across the industry.

Who Is Hawks Peak Strategies?

Founded in 2024 by Dr. Courtney Henderson, Hawks Peak Strategies helps utilities, consumer advocates, and clean energy stakeholders better understand and serve their customers. The firm specializes in market strategy, customer-centric research, policy and regulatory solutioning, and thought leadership. Each service is designed to create a more equitable energy future.

Dr. Henderson brings more than two decades of experience across decarbonization, sustainability, public health, and energy program strategy. Her expertise spans utility policy, market development, stakeholder engagement, and communications. As a result, Hawks Peak Strategies offers a unique perspective that connects strategy, policy, empathy, and implementation.

In addition to her consulting work, Dr. Henderson serves as a Council Member and former Mayor of Truckee, California. She applies her public service experience to advance workforce housing, diversity and inclusion, transportation electrification, and local decarbonization initiatives. Her ability to connect policy – from the local to national level – and people continues to shape how communities and utilities move toward a cleaner, more equitable future.

Hawks Peak Strategies Services at a Glance

Hawks Peak Strategies provides a range of services that bridge the gap between policy, program design, and customer experience, including:

• Market & Policy Strategy. Helping utilities, advocates, and agencies develop actionable strategies that align with policy and regulatory goals and community needs.
• Customer-Centric Research. Conducting qualitative and quantitative studies that elevate the voice of consumers and inform fair, human-centered solutions.
• Stakeholder Engagement. Building connections between policymakers, implementers, and communities to create collaboration and consensus.
• Communications & Outreach. Designing messaging frameworks that make complex energy and policy topics clear and relatable.
• Thought Leadership & Facilitation. Leading national conversations on decarbonization, affordability, and customer empathy through speaking, writing, and collaboration.

Collaboration That Elevates Voices

Equinox Creative’s connection with Dr. Henderson and Hawks Peak Strategies runs deep. Founder and CEO Kelly Mulder previously worked alongside Courtney early in her career. They developed a shared appreciation for collaboration built on data, empathy, and communication.

While Hawks Peak Strategies is a newer addition to the Equinox Creative partner network, its mission strongly aligns with our own. Both organizations believe that authentic storytelling, research, and design can transform how the clean energy industry connects with people.

For example, Dr. Henderson’s research on energy affordability and consumer engagement—such as her work with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office—demonstrates how understanding lived experiences drives effective and fair policy solutions and programs. Furthermore, her leadership in both the energy and public sectors continues to influence how we think about accessibility, representation, and collaboration.

Together, Hawks Peak Strategies and Equinox Creative represent two sides of the same vision. By connecting people, programs, and policy, we can accelerate progress toward a cleaner, more just energy future.

If you’d like to learn more about other organizations we collaborate with, explore our Partner Organizations page and discover how shared expertise drives success across the industry.

Who Is Green Home Experts?

Founded in 2007, Green Home Experts has evolved from a green building supplier into a trusted fulfillment and logistics partner for utility energy efficiency programs. Today, the WBE-certified company operates from Oak Park, Illinois, and supports utilities nationwide. It provides product distribution, pick and pack, and kitting services that keep programs running efficiently across the country.

What makes GHE stand out is their commitment to integrity, versatility, and excellence. They understand that program success depends on getting high-quality products into customers’ hands—on time, every time. As a result, their team focuses on accuracy, accountability, and speed at every stage of fulfillment. With transparent inventory tracking, responsive service, and meticulous attention to detail, GHE is known for “shipping your success.”

Green Home Experts Services at a Glance

Green Home Experts supports utility and implementer programs with a range of fulfillment and workforce solutions, including:

• Product Distribution. Supplying high-quality, energy- and water-saving measures for direct install programs in residential, multifamily, and income-eligible markets.
• Pick & Pack. Providing seamless third-party logistics services for marketplaces and e-commerce platforms, with real-time inventory management and shipment transparency.
• Kitting. Designing and assembling customized energy efficiency kits. Each year, the team ships hundreds of thousands of kits while creating local employment opportunities through community workforce partnerships.
• Workforce Development. Partnering with local organizations and schools to provide meaningful job training and career opportunities for individuals with special needs and young adults entering the workforce.
• Green Home Experts Hub. A new digital portal that gives trade allies a centralized location for program materials, ordering tools, and resources to stay connected and informed.

Collaboration That Delivers

Our partnership with Green Home Experts goes beyond creative support—it’s a shared commitment to making clean energy programs more efficient, inclusive, and effective. In addition, our teams work closely to ensure every project reflects shared values of trust and innovation.

The recent development of the Green Home Experts Hub demonstrates how thoughtful digital tools can elevate customer experience and operational success. Furthermore, this collaboration highlights how design and strategy come together to improve accessibility and streamline program delivery. Explore the full story behind this collaboration in last week’s article.

Together, we’re redefining how partners in the clean energy ecosystem collaborate to deliver measurable results—from warehouse to web. As we continue to grow these partnerships, we remain focused on helping utilities and implementers reach their goals efficiently.

If you’d like to learn more about other organizations we collaborate with, explore our Partner Organizations page and discover how shared expertise drives success across the industry.

Founded in 2018, Keen Eye Media has quickly established itself as a trusted partner for businesses looking to elevate their brand presence through video. With a focus on creativity, technical excellence, and storytelling, their small but mighty team of professionals offers a comprehensive range of services that meet the needs of modern marketing campaigns.

What They Do Best

• Commercial Production. Keen Eye produces attention-grabbing commercials that communicate brand messages clearly and effectively, helping businesses drive awareness and customer engagement.
• Social Content Creation. In the fast-paced world of social media, standing out requires content that is both strategic and visually compelling. Keen Eye develops short-form videos designed to boost online presence and foster audience connection.
• Event Coverage. From conferences and corporate events to live performances, their team captures the energy and emotion of in-person moments, transforming them into content that extends the impact long after the event ends.
• Animation, VFX & Post. Keen Eye’s expertise extends into animation, visual effects, and post-production, where every detail—sound, visuals, and effects—comes together for a polished final product.

Why We Work With Them

Equinox Creative has partnered with Keen Eye Media on several projects over the years, and their ability to deliver both creativity and technical precision makes them a valuable collaborator. Their team understands how to translate complex messages into visually engaging stories—whether for broadcast, digital campaigns, or live event recaps.

Together, we’ve helped clients amplify their reach and leave lasting impressions in competitive markets. Their Chicago roots and versatile skill set make them a natural fit for businesses nationwide seeking high-quality video storytelling. You can see how Keen Eye’s expertise aligns with our own Video & Visual Storytelling services, where we focus on crafting creative campaigns that bring brands to life.

Who Is Erthe Energy Solutions?

Founded in 2018, Erthe Energy Solutions has become a trusted problem-solver in the clean energy sector. As a Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration, ERTHE brings deep industry expertise in program management, operations, and business strategy. Their mission is simple but powerful: solve the toughest clean energy challenges to start and sustain lasting change.

With a team that values communication, diversity, innovation, partnership, quality, and trust, ERTHE creates lasting influence for utilities, businesses, and mission-driven organizations alike. Their services range from utility clean energy portfolio support—including workforce development, supplier diversity, and trade ally optimization—to training and operational efficiency for businesses of all sizes.

Our Shared Path

Our collaboration with ERTHE is built on trust and shared history. Many of our team members have worked alongside the ERTHE team for years, building upon these prior partnerships and evolving into today’s thriving independent firms. Together, we’ve helped shape clean energy programs by combining technical expertise, strategic communication, and a commitment to community-focused solutions.

This kind of collaboration shows how partnerships extend beyond individual projects. In fact, a recent client campaign, Inspire to Save, demonstrates how working with other diverse marketing and outreach professionals can drive measurable results while creating inclusive opportunities.

ERTHE Services at a Glance

ERTHE delivers a comprehensive suite of clean energy and business services, including:

• Utility clean energy portfolio support. Administration, workforce development, diverse supplier development, data tracking and reporting, trade ally network optimization, and strategic planning to strengthen program outcomes.
• Small business services. Certification guidance, project management training, budget training, and strategic planning to help businesses grow and thrive.
• Operational efficiency solutions. Streamlined operations, start-up and integration support, and financial guidance for organizations of all sizes.
• Collaborative program design. Customized services to address complex challenges where goals are less defined and innovation is required.
• Mission-driven partnerships. Building networks with other small and diverse businesses to deliver community-focused solutions that create lasting change.

Why Partnerships Matter

For us, being a connector in the clean energy industry is part of our DNA. By working with ERTHE, we’re able to deliver stronger, more holistic solutions that help utilities, contractors, and mission-driven organizations succeed. ERTHE’s expertise in program design and operations complements our focus on branding, creative campaigns, and storytelling—together, we amplify results.

If you’d like to see more of the companies we collaborate with, explore our Partner Organizations. Each connection tells a story of shared expertise, mutual trust, and a commitment to advancing clean energy goals.

Who Is i3 Energy?

i3 Energy is a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) led by founder Sandra Blackwood, built on a core belief in Inclusion, Integration, and Innovation (the “i3” in their name). Their team offers decades of experience designing and delivering energy efficiency programs—from on-the-ground inspections to trade ally development, incentive processing, and proprietary software .
With field advisors who come from HVAC, refrigeration, and electrical backgrounds, i3 brings unmatched technical fluency to program delivery and training. They don’t just manage programs—they work side by side with contractors, equipping them to expand their offerings and maximize program success.

How We Work Together

Our partnership with i3 Energy is built on trust, transparency, and showing up for each other in ways that make us stronger. Sometimes that means passing along an RFP better suited to the other, sometimes it’s a quick call to compare notes on the less glamorous parts of running a business—like payroll systems or insurance—and sometimes it’s simply standing side by side at a conference when neither of us feels like “working the room.” Those small moments have built a foundation of candor and reliability, we can share ideas openly, get an honest reaction, and celebrate each other’s wins. It’s a partnership rooted in authenticity, where supporting one another naturally creates opportunities for both.

i3 Energy Services at a Glance

i3 Energy supports a wide range of energy efficiency initiatives, including:

• Small business direct install programs. On-site energy assessments, customer support, and installation of lighting, HVAC, refrigeration, and controls upgrades.
• Trade ally development & energy advisor services. Recruitment, onboarding, and training for contractors in both lighting and non-lighting measures (e.g. refrigeration, HVAC, EMS).
• Mobile home energy initiatives. Diagnostic testing, air sealing, ductwork, and full electrification retrofits for manufactured homes.
• Trademarked energy snapshot software. A secure, cloud-based software platform that streamlines enrollment, assessments, reporting, and EM&V across commercial and residential programs.
• Incentive & rebate processing. End-to-end rebate administration, application verification, payment processing, and compliance tracking for energy efficiency programs.

Why i3 Energy Matters

The clean energy space needs partners who are flexible, fast-moving, and grounded in real-world experience. i3 Energy brings that and more. Their team works with contractors—not just as program liaisons, but as mentors, technicians, and collaborators. Their impact shows up not only in energy savings, but in trade ally growth and stronger delivery networks.

That’s why we’re proud to have them listed among our Partner Organizations—and even prouder to work with them on clean energy solutions that truly deliver.