SSE brings in Iris to fuel strategy for net zero energy

Energy company SSE has appointed Iris to a two-year contract to evolve the “We Power Change” brand platform and align multiple business units, following a competitive pitch.

The the move is part of the plans by the company, formerly Scottish & Southern Energy, to push its commitment to a net zero future.

SSE’s customer base was acquired by independent supplier OVO Energy in January 2020. It aims to provide clean gas and electricity to the almost 5 million UK households it currently serves, making it the second-biggest energy company after British Gas.

The business came joint-eighth out of 18 energy companies, rated by 8,390 members of the public, in the annual Which? customer survey 2022. With an overall customer score of 55%, it tied with Sainsbury’s Energy, Eon, and Scottish Power.

Iris will be tasked with evolving the SSE brand campaign, which initially launched in the run up to the UN climate change summit, COP26 in Glasgow last November.

SSE was a principal partner at that event and the original campaign was created to communicate its green credentials, by promoting how the SSE Group is powering the change needed today, to build a better world of energy for tomorrow.

Iris’ work will aim to reinforce SSE’s commitment to accelerate progress towards net zero and provide tangible solutions that help deliver on the promises made at the COP26 summit.

SSE head of group brand and design Suzie Rook said: “It’s great to be partnering with an agency who shares our ambitions to bring to life the incredible stories of the people powering change across our industry every day, to help accelerate progress towards net zero.

“We’re confident Iris more than meets these requirements and are looking forward to evolving our creative platform ‘We Power Change’ further with them.”

Iris managing partner and CMO Amy Bryson added: “SSE is the UK and Ireland’s clean energy champion, leading the charge to net zero, so we’re looking forward to working together to help the business power the real and authentic change that the world needs right now.”