why CEFF ditched traditional advertising — and how digital marketing led to record attendance
When Nicole Bickford joined the Colorado Environmental Film Festival (CEFF), she knew the festival had tremendous potential to inspire environmental stewardship and foster deeper community connections through film. Founded in 2006 by environmental educator Shauna Crocker and filmmaker Dave Steinke, CEFF had steadily grown from a small, local gathering into a widely recognized event attracting thousands from around the globe.
Yet, despite this growth, Nicole faced a major challenge: their traditional approach to advertising — primarily relying on print and posters — was delivering almost zero ROI. As Nicole puts it, "We knew we needed to increase our social media presence significantly. Marketing and advertising weren't my background, and traditional print media wasn't working."
A Digital Shift with Electric Fork Media
Nicole turned to Electric Fork Media (EFM) in 2019 after a recommendation from PBS12, a longstanding sponsor. Initially, Nicole worked directly with Tracy Sodd at EFM to explore online advertising solutions. Unlike other agencies that forced clients into rigid systems, EFM took a highly personalized and flexible approach.
"From the very beginning, Tracy and her team met us exactly where we were," says Nicole. "She didn't just throw us into a system that wasn't built for our needs. Instead, she sat down with me, taught me the basics, and always found answers—even if she didn't have them herself initially."
Over time, the relationship expanded. Nicole valued how EFM consistently tailored their solutions to fit CEFF’s unique needs, particularly the seasonal nature of their festival.
Leveraging the Power of Google Grants
A turning point came when Tracy introduced the concept of the Google Grant. Initially daunting, Nicole hesitated, questioning whether the effort was worthwhile for a once-a-year event. However, the EFM team crafted a customized strategy that made sense, implementing the Google Grant in a streamlined way to maximize CEFF’s visibility and stretch their limited ad budget.
"EFM made our modest ad spend go incredibly far," Nicole explains. "For a nonprofit with a limited budget, every dollar counts. EFM ensured we never once questioned whether we were spending too much."
Record-Breaking Results and Continued Growth
The results speak for themselves. Since transitioning to digital marketing with EFM, CEFF has consistently set new attendance records. In 2025 the festival was a major success:
Over 2,500 in-person attendees, setting a festival record.
Ticket sales increased significantly, staying consistently ahead throughout the promotional campaign.
Enhanced visibility and brand awareness across new demographics, helping CEFF reach younger, digitally-savvy audiences.
Nicole credits these results directly to their partnership with EFM, noting, "The only thing we've done differently is digital marketing with Electric Fork Media. Their expertise in both paid social media ads and the Google Grant completely transformed our approach and results."
Why Nonprofits Choose Electric Fork Media
Nonprofits often face rigid agency structures that don’t accommodate unique needs or smaller budgets. CEFF’s success demonstrates the profound difference a tailored, attentive partnership can make. Nicole sums it up best:
"I've been incredibly pleased working with Electric Fork Media. I love their flexibility and their genuine willingness to meet nonprofits' actual needs. The fact that they consistently support organizations like ours is incredibly inspiring. More businesses should have those types of values."
Need a Helping Hand?
Launching your first campaign doesn't have to feel daunting. Electric Fork Media is here to help if you're stuck or need guidance.