Behind The Scenes

How do you rebrand a company that has been vilified? Venables, Bell & Partners in San Francisco had that unforgiving task when it took on Pacific Gas and Electric Co., which Erin Brockovich fought against, as portrayed in the movie Erin Brockovich. Venables, Bell & Partners created “magical, mystical stories,” according to Paul Venables, to emphasize the clean energy sources PG&E uses, including wind and solar power. A school grows up from the ground like a plant in one; in another, wind starts blowing whenever people use electrical appliances as a voiceover states 32 percent of PG&E’s power comes from clean energy sources.