Glow the firefly is a new mascot that appears in the gas authority’s latest customer communications as an inspiration to light the way with bright ideas, warm reminders and glowing recommendations for customers.
ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – What began as a bright idea from Winthrop University students has come to life at York County Natural Gas Authority (YCNGA) — Glow the firefly, a friendly character created to connect with customers.
The new mascot appears in the gas authority’s latest customer communications as an inspiration to light the way with bright ideas, warm reminders and glowing recommendations for customers.
Glow was the creation of four students in business instructor Erin Patel’s spring marketing class which competed in the Employer Provided Innovation Challenge (EPIC), a collaborative initiative designed to empower students to solve real-world business challenges. The students - Prema Van Deren ’25, Ne’Vaeh Walker, Joseph McGrath and Tylique Smith - won first place for their concept.
The challenge, which was sponsored by YCNGA in partnership with the York County Regional Chamber (YCRC) and Winthrop’s Center for Career Development and Internships, tasked students with answering a complex question: How can a natural gas company effectively promote its environmental benefits to their customers while addressing common misconceptions about natural gas?
Hannah Smith ’11, ’17, YCNGA’s marketing manager, said that Glow has been warmly received by their employees. “We’re excited to build up her presence with our customers and community,” Smith said. “She’s a fun and cheerful way to reinforce our commitment to energy that is reliable, efficient and environmentally conscious.”
YCNGA is telling its customers to keep an eye out for Glow. “She’s ready to share her spark with you!”
Real-life Projects
The marketing students enjoyed working on the real-life projects because it gave them the chance to make presentations and to use their finished product in their portfolios.
Walker, a junior marketing major, said the project helped strengthen her creative and strategic thinking skills, especially in developing a marketing campaign from concept to presentation. “Working on the campaign taught me how to connect messaging with audience engagement, manage team collaboration, and present ideas clearly and confidently, skills that I know will carry over into future professional projects,” said the Charleston, South Carolina, resident. “I also learned how to better connect with others in a marketing environment, as this project was a collaborative effort within my group.”
Another EPIC group project in Patel’s class inspired a collaboration between the gas authority and Knowledge Perk, connecting the themes of warmth and energy central to both organizations.
The challenge was such a success that YCNGA wants to continue to team up with Patel’s classes. Her fall class has been surveying customers in an effort to redesign the gas authority’s website. The students will present their ideas on Dec. 12 in Whitton Auditorium.
Patel said she has decided to change the way she teaches the marketing class to include real-life experiences. “I had never led a group project before as part of the Introduction to Marketing curriculum,” she said. “EPIC taught me that our students should never be underestimated. Watching them create two marketing campaigns for actual commercial publication makes me so proud.”
For more information, contact Hannah Smith at hannah.smith@ycnga.
