Rural Computer Consultants, Vivid Image win Summit Emerging Media Leader Award

Rural‬‭ Computer‬‭ Consultants‬‭ (RCC)‬‭ and‬‭ Vivid‬‭ Image‬‭ have‬‭ jointly‬ been‬‭ honored‬‭ with‬‭ the‬‭ Summit‬‭ Emerging‬‭ Media‬‭ Leader‬‭ Award‬‭ for‬‭ the “Making‬‭ Propane‬‭ Sexy” marketing‬‭ initiative.‬‭

Freddie Ridler, head of business growth at RCC, started the “Making Propane Sexy” campaign at the 2022 NPGA Southeastern Expo. According to the company, Ridler had been brainstorming ways to shake up the industry’s image, wanting something bold, memorable and fun.

“The phrase was unexpected, but it resonated because it challenged everyone to think differently about propane’s possibilities,” says Ridler.

At the RCC Customer Seminar in 2023, Ridler enlisted the help of the Vivid Image team. Vivid Image designed the logo and artwork, including stickers, socks and other promotional items to share at trade shows and meetings across the country.

For over three decades, the Summit Emerging Media Award has celebrated innovation in the evolving field of communications technology.

“The submission process required us to present our work anonymously, letting the campaign’s impact speak for itself,” says Beth Gasser, owner of Vivid Image. “We took careful precaution not to reveal our identity in the award submission process, but instead show many examples of individuals and propane marketers outside of Vivid Image and RCC sharing on social media, talking about ‘Making Propane Sexy,’ and other captivating examples for the judges to make their careful decision-making it a true grassroots movement.”

The campaign has sparked podcasts, news stories, hashtags and demand for branded merchandise.

“This award validates what we’ve seen happening throughout the propane community,” Ridler says. “People are ready to break from convention, have some fun and promote propane with pride and creativity. The revolution is just getting started.”