PowerStream's 'Smart Kids' marketing campaign earns award
AESP 'Energy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Marketing & Communications -- Residential'

Globe Newswire
January 28, 2014

A unique and customer-appealing marketing campaign featuring its residential conservation programs has earned PowerStream recognition from the Association of Energy Services Professionals' (AESP) 'Energy Award for Marketing and Communications – Residential'.

PowerStream's 'Smart Kids' campaign landed the company the award, which was presented today at the AESP Energy Awards event held in conjunction with the organization's annual National Conference and Expo being held this year in San Diego, California. 

'Smart Kids' was launched in April 2013 by PowerStream's Conservation and Demand Management (CDM) department with funding from the Ontario Power Authority (OPA). The campaign was designed to help achieve energy and demand reduction targets by promoting the company's peaksaver PLUS program to customers. The campaign's print and video creative featured "Smart Kids" who explained how simple and easy it is for customers to benefit from, and participate in, some of the utility's conservation initiatives.

For over 15 years, the AESP Energy Awards have recognized individuals, teams or organizations that have contributed to advancement of the energy services field, raised awareness of an energy services program or need, represented "best in class" in the design, implementation or evaluation of an energy services program and/or have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the advancement of the energy services field. 

QUOTES
"The 'Smart Kids' campaign not only targets the environmental challenges of today, but also initiates real and measurable energy conservation strategies for the future," explained Frank Scarpitti, PowerStream's Board Chair and Mayor of the City of Markham. "This recognition we have received from AESP is a testament to our success in motivating our customers to conserve energy."

"We used this initiative to take a slightly different approach to how we market conservation to our residential customers," added Brian Bentz, PowerStream 's President and CEO. "By incorporating customer insights, we created a marketing campaign that not only sets us apart from other utilities, but also broadens our connection with our customers to promote energy efficiency in a simple and engaging way."

BACKGROUND
A "Smart Kids" direct mail campaign was named a finalist for E-Source's "Crowd Pleaser" Award.

PowerStream has been recognized on a number of occasions recently including being named "Achievers 50 Most Engaged Workplaces™ in Canada" and one of Greater Toronto's Top Employers.

ABOUT AESP
AESP provides professional development programs, a network of energy practitioners, and promotes the transfer of knowledge and experience. Members of AESP work in the energy services industry and represent electric and natural gas utilities, public benefits associations, regulatory and non-profit entities, vendors, manufacturers and consulting firms.

ABOUT POWERSTREAM
PowerStream is a community-owned energy company that provides power and related services to more than 365,000 customers residing or owning a business in communities located immediately north of Toronto and in Central Ontario. It is jointly owned by the Cities of Barrie, Markham and Vaughan.