Celebrating 15 Years of Award-Winning Cleantech Public Relations
Here at Technica, we’re proud to celebrate 15 years of public relations and social media service to the cleantech, energy, and climate tech industries.
In 2009, our founder, Lisa Ann Pinkerton, embarked on a mission to fuse her passion for societal improvement, compelling storytelling, and environmental advocacy. Amid the global financial crisis, she turned adversity into opportunity by founding Technica Communications to focus on supporting cleantech startups in their public relations efforts.
“Ever since I was a theater kid, doing my homework backstage with a flashlight between scenes, I knew I wanted to help people see new ways of thinking and imagine new possibilities. Back in my early years, I thought entertainment was the storytelling medium I was destined to pursue,” recalls Lisa Ann. “While theater, film and television were noble avenues to effect change, I had a conversation with Geraldo Rivera that turned the tide of my career. Little did I know how dramatic that pivot would be.”
At the time, Lisa Ann was a PR intern on The West Wing in Los Angeles. Her conversation with Geraldo about the Bush/Gore Supreme Court action of December 2000 promoted him to say, “You ask good questions. Have you ever considered becoming a reporter?”
A few weeks later, an NBC broadcast reporter told her something similar. Lisa Ann left LA shortly thereafter and landed an opportunity to become an NPR environmental science reporter for the syndicated series, The Allegheny Front. After a 12-year nationwide tenure covering sustainability and clean technology, Lisa Ann wanted to do more to help the companies she covered. That’s when she took a job at the Antenna Group in 2008 as a Senior Account Executive, with Melody Haller as her mentor.
“Rarely is a career in a straight line, and passions may seem disjointed on the surface. Still, the theme is a drive to improve society, encourage human communication, and support a greater understanding of ourselves, has always been my North Star.”
After being laid off from Antenna Group amidst the Great Recession, Lisa Ann started Technica Communications. From its humble beginnings with Azuray Technologies as its first client in 2010 (referred to by Antenna Group’s Haller), Technica has become an influential force in the industries it represents and a bellwether for journalists covering its advancements. Lisa Ann’s vision to amplify ground-breaking news, build trust, and contribute to a sustainable future has been at the core of Technica’s success since its inception.
Over the years, Technica’s substantial impact has been recognized within the cleantech industry and by prestigious public relations organizations and awards bodies. Awards such as the PRNews Agency Elite Top 100 (2024), PRNEWS PR Platinum Campaign of the Year (2023), and others, testify to the agency’s dedication and excellence.
“I remember interviewing with Lisa Ann in 2019 after a nearly 20-year career in PR and thinking that I may have finally found mylanding place in Technica Communications,” explained Account Director Sarah Malpeli. “In an industry notorious for agency sweatshops, stepping into the Technica family was a breath of fresh air. We have a remarkable team of dedicated professionals who are truly there for each other as we navigate this remarkable journey with our clients.”
As we reflect on our journey, we witness a timeline of achievements, from GE’s successful acquisition of Albeo Technologies in 2012 and the eMotorWerks acquisition by Enel X in 2017 to ZeroAvia’s groundbreaking flight of the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell-powered flight in 2020 and Tritium’s SPAC and press briefing with President Joe Biden. These are just a few milestones highlighting Technica’s contribution to its clients and consistent commitment to promoting innovative and sustainable solutions, which can pave the way to a better tomorrow.
Looking forward, Technica Communications remains unwavering in its vision that society can and will build a more advantageous and sustainable future, without compromise. Even after 15 years, Technica continues to stay on the bleeding edge of technology as we expand our promotional support of startups working in blockchain and AI.
“Technica’s success over the past 15 years is a shared achievement. It celebrates our client’s innovations, journalist friends, colleagues, and partners. Technica’s achievements result from a collective effort of 100s of people playing their part to support this industry,” explained Lisa Ann. “I deeply appreciate all the people who have trusted us, collaborated with us, and shared our commitment with others. Our success is their success.”
Here’s to 15 years of innovation, collaboration, and breakthrough communications for climate tech PR. As we celebrate the past, we eagerly welcome the future and Technica’s continued expansion. Thank you for being a part of our journey and reflecting on its critical moments.
Lisa Ann is assigned to manage the Solaix account alongside Christine Bennett. Lisa Ann and Christine would go on to have a lasting friendship and collaborate on various clients, including Bidgely and SimpliPhi Power. (Pictured Christine and Lisa Ann in 2023)
Antenna Group Account Manager Edward Sullivan lends Lisa Ann his Cleantech Forum badge so that she can experience the conference for herself while he holds a lunch meeting with a prospect. There, she meets Shawn Lesser, someone she will collaborate with in the future.
Lisa Ann commits to the name Technica Communications during a conversation with a prospective client. Julien and Lisa Ann work over the weekend to create the first Technica logo and website. NanoLogix would eventually become Technica’s second client a year later.
Melody Haller refers Azuray Technologies to Technica, which becomes the agency's first client. Technica's launch of Azuray’s solar MPPT technology exceeds expectations, with over 200 articles and mentions.
Technica receives its Federal Tax ID number and opens its first bank account.
Impact investor Shawn Lesser taps Lisa Ann to help co-found and lead marketing for the Global Cleantech Cluster Association (GCCA). The launch event is hosted by Cleantech San Diego and covered by several local outlets, including KPBS. More than 50 clusters worldwide would eventually join the GCCA, representing roughly 10,000…
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Lisa Ann starts Women in Cleantech & Sustainability (WCS) to create a Bay Area community that gives women a sisterhood to thrive in and spotlights the remarkable women (and men) building the green economy. Today, WCS is home to over 10,000 community members internationally.
Technica attends the agency's first Solar Power International (SPI) 2011, (now known as RE+), in Dallas, Texas. Representing client Azuray Technologies, Technica collaborates with Liz (Oh) Wade of Solar Marketing Group to design and staff Azuray’s booth.
Technica attends the first Work Truck Show for the first time to manage press interactions for the launch of Motiv Power Systems in Indianapolis. Led by founder and CEO (now CTO) Jim Castalez and Vice President of Marketing (now a Senior Advisor) Shyam Nagrani, the Motiv team demonstrated the company's…
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Technica client Albeo Technologies is acquired by GE after 11 months of Technica's PR exposure. Albeo CEO Jeff Bisberg attributes 50% of the success of this acquisition to Technica's work building exposure for the brand. Of their work together, Bisberg says, "Lisa Ann has created a world-class PR and marketing…
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Motiv Power Systems and Technica launch and promote America's first all-electric school bus. The SST-e type A bus was developed in partnership with Trans Tech Bus for deployment in 2014 at Kings Canyon Unified School District.
Lisa Ann Pinkerton is named to Silicon Valley Business Journal's Women of Influence list. Nominees were evaluated on their influence in their industries as well as their communities.
Technica and Motiv unveil the first All-Electric Refuse Vehicle, or ERV. Also known as North America's first all-electric garbage truck, it's featured in Fast Company Magazine, in a piece by Adele Peters. At the time, the City of Chicago ran the Motiv ERV on different residential refuse and recycling routes…
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Christine Bennett, now President of Cleantech Communication, taps Technica to collaborate on public relations and social media support for SimpliPhi Power. The company had recently changed its name from Optimized Energy Storage and tapped the duo to launch its new brand. After two and a half years of working with…
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Lisa Ann and Christian Zdebel meet for breakfast at Solar Power International in Las Vegas to brainstorm ways to collaborate. Christain would support Technica clients first as an Account Manager, and then Account Supervisor.
Technica client eMotorWerks was acquired by EnelX and folded into the new Enel X brand. In the summer of 2017, the startup initiated its series A raise. Technica, CEO Val Miftakhov, and Chief Marketing & Operating Officer Preston Roper collaborate on a series of strategically aligned news announcements that caught…
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Technica supports Winnebago in unveiling the company's first production model accessibility-enhanced motorhome line at the RV Supershow in Tampa, FL. At the time, it was the best press reception for a new product Winnebago had ever experienced.
Lisa Ann gives a messaging workshop for startups at the Cleantech Forum in San Francisco, begininng a long-standing relationship between Technica, the Cleantech Group and Women in Cleantech & Sustainabilitiy. There she meets Jordan Ramer, then CEO of EV Connect, kicking off a long-term working relationship that would carry the…
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Technica client Winnebago, led by Ashis Bhattacharya and Jamie Sorenson, announces the development of the first all-electric Mobile Lung Unit (eMLU). Powered by a Ford F-53-based EPIC® 6 all-electric chassis, the specialty healthcare vehicle featured the state-of-the-art Samsung NeuroLogica BodyTom Elite ®, the world's first portable, full-body, 32-slice CT scanner.
Caitlan Caviness starts at Technica as an Account Coordinator. Caitlan will later work up the ranks at Technica to become an Account Manager and the company’s de facto party planner.
ABB hires Lisa Ann Pinkerton to MC its VIP gathering in New York City for the FIA Formula E Race, the world's first fully electric global motor racing series.
Sarah Malpeli starts at Technica as a Media Relations Specialist to facilitate connections between clients with the press. Sarah will later be promoted to Account Manager, Account Supervisor, and Account Director.
Val Miftakhov (formerly CEO of eMotorWerks) taps Lisa Ann and the Technica team to manage PR for his next company. Technica executes ZeroAvia's launch from stealth with press releases and overwhelming media attention, which put its name on the lips of investors, potential partners, and government regulators.
After a feature episode on the Suncast Podcast with Nico Johnson, Lisa Ann is invited to be a guest on a daily wrap-up of the Podcast Lounge at North American Smart Energy Week (aka Solar Power International, RE+).
Winnebago delivers the first all-electric mobile surgical instrument lab (eMSIL) to the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Health Center. Technica's campaign to promote the vehicle reaches an audience of over 5.9 million. (Photo credit, Winnebago)
Lisa Ann Pinkerton is tapped by ClimateLaunchPad Global Grand Final in Amsterdam, The Netherlands to give a talk about Climate Change Communication, judge the pitch competition, and present The Female Founders Award.
The 18th Annual American Business Awards honors Technica Communications in two categories. CEO Lisa Ann Pinkerton received a Silver Stevie in the PR Executive of the Year Category, and the agency also won a Bronze Stevie in the PR Campaign of the Year New Product or Service Launch Category for…
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Bulldog Reporter honors Technica Communications with a Silver Award in the Best Use of Influencers Category for the 2020 Bulldog PR Awards. The award was for Technica's Accessibility-Enhanced (AE) RV Influencer Trip Campaign executed for the Specialty Vehicles Division of Winnebago Industries.
Technica manages the reveal of the first all-electric mobile preschool in the world: the Winnebago Industries Specialty Vehicles' Magic Bus. The vehicle was designed to bring learning and clean air to young children throughout the Vail Valley, Colorado, area. (Photo credit, Winnebago)
Technica client ZeroAvia completes the world's first hydrogen fuel cell-powered flight of a commercial-grade aircraft in its Piper M-class six-seat plane. The flight took place at the company’s R&D facility in Cranfield, England, with the Piper M-class six-seat plane completing taxi, takeoff, a full pattern circuit, and landing.
Technica Communications holds its first-ever company retreat for its employees and freelancers in Cottonwood, AZ, with an adventure to the top of Mingus Mountain.
Technica client Tritium announces its intention to go public in a SPAC merger deal. Starting in 2020, Technica began laying the groundwork for the Australian company's US expansion with targeted messaging and media exposure matching reporter and customer interests. (Photo credit, Tritium)
Lisa Ann is named a 2021 Top Women in PR Distinction honoree by PRNEWS in the Industry Innovator category for her work in cleantech and sustainability. The award recognizes women innovating, leading, changing, and dominating the communications industry.
With Technica’s support, Winnebago debuts the Roam, a smaller Class B RV that still has room for a wheelchair user to move around inside. "From #VanLife to #VanLift:" Car and Driver says Winnebago opens up accessibility RV camping to a broader audience. (Photo credit, Winnebago)
Xponent tapped Technica Communications to launch its product Xpanse, the world's first retractable solar awning for RVs. The launch campaign was so successful that Xponent secured $1 million in customer pre-orders and interest from several RV OEMs and auto dealerships.
Technica Communications was named a winner in the 14th Annual 2021 Women in Business World Awards and recognized as a Gold Winner in the Small Advertising, Marketing, and Public Relations Company of the Year category.
After two years of PR support from Technica, AMPLY Power is acquired by BP and rebranded into BP Pulse Fleet.
Lisa Ann debuts the Earthlings Podcast, later rebranded to Earthlings 2.0, taking a look at the big issues facing humanity in the early 21st century and our relationship to our environment, technology, and each other. In each episode, Lisa Ann is joined by experts, scientists, and leaders working to solve…
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The Camp Technica annual retreat returns for a second year, twice as big as the first event. This time, the Technica team gathers in hosted in Desert Hot Springs, California for a company "on -site" and off-roading trip to Joshua Tree National Park.
One month after going public, Tritium announces its US manufacturing facility at a White House press briefing, where CEO Jane Hunter shares the stage with President Joe Biden. Technica's US brand awareness campaign for Tritium included the publication of 17 press releases and 4,076 article placements.
Technica Communications Wins 2022 PRNEWS Social Impact Award for its work Cory Lee Influencer Trip for its client Winnebago Industries, Specialty Vehicle Division. The effort increased Winnebago's social media following by 54 percent, with more than 47,000 impressions.
Technica manages press for the acquisition of EV Connect by Schneider Electric with over 20 original articles and over $7 million in advertising value equivalency. (Photo credit EV Connect/Schneider Electric)
Technica client ZeroAvia flies its 19-seat Dornier 228 testbed aircraft, the largest aircraft in the world to be powered by a hydrogen-electric engine at the time. Technica's six-month campaign leading up to the flight secured over ten media interviews and 50 original articles. (Photo credit ZeroAvia)
The Camp Technica annual retreat is hosted for its third straight year. This time in Gulf Shores, Alabama, the Technica team represents 10 employees.
Technica wins Gold in the 2022 Bulldog Awards in the Crisis Communications category. Organized by Agility PR Solutions, the award program acknowledges remarkable public relations (PR) and communications campaigns and individual and agency contributions to the PR industry.
After years of PR and marketing support from Technica, client Tigo Energy and Roth CH Acquisition IV Co. announce the signing of a definitive agreement for a business combination that results in Tigo becoming a public company. Trading begins on the NASDAQ.
Technica Account Director Sarah Malpeli is named a 2023 Golden Bridge Award recipient as Woman of the Year in Business & the Professions for her leadership in securing global media coverage for sustainable aviation and automotive clients.
Suncast Podcast host Nico Johnson invites Lisa Ann to join him as a co-host of the RE+ PowerUp LIVE Morning Show. PowerUp Live is the premier podcast stage at RE+ 2023 – featuring interviews with clean energy experts and conversations with podcasters around the industry.
Technica Communications Wins the PRNEWS Platinum Awards Campaign of the Year for Environment & Sustainability. The program recognized Technica's expertise in promoting the groundbreaking flight of a hydrogen-electric 19-seat aircraft test flight for zero-emission aviation startup ZeroAvia. The campaign won over other impressive campaigns, including one from the largest soft…
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The Camp Technica annual retreat is hosted for a fourth time. Sited in San Francisco, California, the annual "on-site" includes company team building and includes a hiking excursion to Muir Woods and Muir Beach. Team compliment now tops 13.
Technica Communications is honored as one of the 2024 PRNEWS Agency Elite Top 100 agencies nationwide for its climate tech public relations work. Technica’s honor reflects its breakthrough communications strategies specifically honed for the sectors of the energy transition, including renewable energy, electric vehicles, the decarbonization of heavy industry, and…
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