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Crafting A Sustainable Brand Narrative: Corduroy Media and the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability

Carl D. Brown

Updated: Jan 29

At Corduroy Media, we believe that great storytelling has the power to shape perspectives and foster meaningful connections. So when the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability approached us to collaborate on a series of videos that would capture their brand narrative, introduce their faculty and explain emergent solutions, we knew this was an opportunity to do what we do best: use authentic, compelling stories that resonate deeply with audiences to create a values based connection to a meaningful and iconic brand.



What is Natural Capital?

As the first new school at Stanford in 70 years, The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability is at the forefront of addressing some of the most critical challenges of our time, from climate change to environmental justice. For an emerging institution like this, creating a strong, cohesive brand narrative is essential to building awareness and inspiring action. This is where our expertise in narrative storytelling and brand-building became a critical asset.


What role do batteries play in clean engergy?

Our process always starts with discovery. We take the time to understand the organization—its mission, values, and vision for the future. With the Doerr School, this meant diving deep into their work, speaking with faculty and leadership, and understanding the heart of their aspirations. This collaborative approach allowed us to create a suite of videos that felt authentic to their identity while effectively engaging a broader audience.


Building Better Batteries

The resulting work includes a Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability Brand Film that serves as a bold introduction to the school's purpose, alongside explainers (about Batteries and Natural Capital) and faculty insights (with Will Chueh and Gretchen Daily ) that illuminate and explain concepts like Battery Tech and Natural Capital. Each piece is anchored by a thoughtful narrative structure, blending human stories with visually striking production.


Natural Capital

For us, this collaboration wasn’t just about producing videos—it was about helping a new institution define its voice and connect with the world through a compelling brand narrative. We are humbled to have played a role in amplifying the vital work of the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, and we hope these stories inspire others to join the effort toward a more sustainable future.


At the end of the day, the work we do isn’t about us—it’s about the stories we help bring to life and the impact they create. This project reminded us of the importance of listening deeply, crafting with intention, and staying true to the stories that need to be told.

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