Beyond the Brief: A marketing conversation with Josh Levine, Chief Marketing Officer of EnergySage
How have your career experiences shaped your philosophy as a marketing leader?
Each step in my career has been a learning experience that built on the last. The Army taught me that mastery beats hierarchy and gave me the chance to develop leadership skills I use to this day—team building, vision setting, and motivating a group toward a common mission. At Procter & Gamble, I learned brand management at the highest level. Google challenged me to bring structure and rigor to a huge company’s underdeveloped marketing practice. Startups like Alumni Ventures showed me how to scale a marketing function. All of it taught me that great marketing starts with business objectives, centers the customer, and balances creativity with analysis.
What makes EnergySage distinct in the clean energy space?
Think of EnergySage as the Kayak of solar and electrification. We connect consumers with vetted providers for solar, heat pumps, EV chargers, and more. Our platform is built for transparency—people get multiple quotes, compare options using our rating system, and get guidance online, or from in-house energy advisors. Our business model aligns incentives, saving consumers up to 20% while reducing installer acquisition costs.
Why do you say EnergySage “sells confidence and peace of mind”?
The biggest barrier isn’t cost—it’s fear. People don’t know who to trust, and the process is confusing. We help de-risk the decision. Our advisors even tell customers when solar isn’t right for them. Transparency builds trust and long-term brand value. Initiatives like our Consumer Protection Pledge and Editorial Guidelines reinforce that, along with our “Un-salesperson” video.
How does the “think, feel, do” framework apply to your work?
Marketing often focuses on “think” and “do,” but “feel” is what drives action. People might think solar is smart, but unless they feel confident and supported, they won’t act. Our strategy builds trust and emotional connection through content, design, and partnerships. We sell confidence, not just products.
How has volatility and AI changed your strategy?
Timeframes have compressed. Campaigns used to run for years; now it’s quarters. But fundamentals stay the same: build a great product and brand experience, and meet your audience where they are. We’re adapting to AI-powered search and other shifts by staying nimble and experimenting constantly.
Why is social proof so important right now?
People trust people, not brands. That’s why influencer marketing works when it’s authentic. We partner with trusted creators like Lauren Bash and Matt Ferrell, and groups like the Sierra Club. Our Plugged In YouTube show and Stay Current newsletter build trust and educate without selling. That connection pays off over time.
Tell us more about “Plugged In” and “Stay Current.”
“Plugged In” is our YouTube show that blends education with entertainment. We took inspiration from John Oliver and Rolling Stone to create something bold and engaging. “Stay Current” is a monthly newsletter with clean energy tips and news. Both are about building early trust and expanding our audience beyond immediate buyers.
How does Schneider Electric influence your strategy?
Being part of Schneider’s innovation portfolio has been hugely valuable. They support us while letting us maintain editorial independence, which is core to our value. We also collaborate with sister companies like Qmerit and WattBuy to create a seamless ecosystem for electrification—from discovery to installation.
What role do modularity and interoperability play in the future of energy?
Most people won’t electrify everything at once. The key is to build products that integrate over time—solar, smart panels, batteries, and heat pumps that work together. Our job is to reduce friction, lower risk, and give consumers confidence as they upgrade in stages.
What excites you most about EnergySage’s future?
We’re expanding our marketplaces and deepening integration with Schneider’s other teams. We’re also looking at how electrification impacts real estate. Ultimately, we’re here to empower people to feel confident in their energy choices—and that’s powerful.
Your best advice for marketers?
Always align your marketing with business objectives. It’s fun to build brand, but make sure it serves a purpose. Whether the goal is this quarter’s revenue or next year’s growth, focus on impact over awards.