Smart Kids(TM) educating PowerStream customers on

VAUGHAN, Ontario, Oct. 29, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PowerStream's Residential Conservation and Demand Management (CDM) department launched a fresh new advertising campaign this past Spring to market their saveONenergy programs to customers that showcases a group of spokespersons who measure about one metre high, wear thick-framed retro-glasses and appear to know more about conservation than the average child.

The campaign's creative features 'Smart Kids' who in both print materials and videos, explain how simple it is for customers to benefit and participate in some of the utility's conservation initiatives including peaksaver PLUS®, Fridge & Freezer Pickup, Heating & Cooling Incentive as well as annual discount coupons for energy-efficient products.

PowerStream is focusing their Fall promotion of the "Smart Kids" campaign to customers in its service territory through the use of bill inserts, direct mailers, door hangers, newspaper advertisements, banner ads on the Weather Network's website and television spots on Roger TV (York Region).

The campaign has resonated well with customers and has been recognized within the electrical utility industry. The direct mail creative used in the Spring was named as a finalist for E-Source's Crowd Pleaser Award. E-Source is a U.S.-based service provider for utilities and large energy users across North America.

This past Spring, the CDM department initiated an ad campaign titled 'Smart Kids' for peaksaver PLUS. The ad campaign was used to help achieve energy and demand reduction targets by offering free programmable thermostats and in-home energy displays to customers with central air conditioning. For more information on our Smart Kids videos , visit PowerStream's Youtube channel.

QUOTES

• "It's great to get children's perspective into this campaign. Not only are children early adopters of environmental programs, it's for future generations that we're making real change," explained Frank Scarpitti, PowerStream Board Chair and Mayor of the City of Markham. "Kids were key to our successful recycling program and can make a difference in energy conservation too."
   
• "The Smart Kids advertising campaign was well-received by our residential customers this past Spring," said John Sherin, PowerStream's Director, Conservation and Demand Management." "We look forward to it being even more successful through the remainder of this year and in 2014."

BACKGROUND

• The 'Smart Kids' advertising campaign concept developed by PowerStream's CDM department, is funded by the Ontario Power Authority (OPA). It was launched in the Spring of this year.
   
• For more information on energy efficiency and the saveONenergy conservation programs available to PowerStream's residential and business customers visit: www.powerstream.ca/conservation

ABOUT POWERSTREAM

PowerStream is a community-owned energy company providing power and related services to 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.

LET'S CONNECT!

eStream – Blog.PowerStream.ca

Facebook – PowerStreamPage

Twitter – @PowerStreamNews

YouTube – PowerStreamTV

LinkedIn – PowerStream

Eric Fagen, Vice President, Corporate Communications Media Line (24/7): 905-532-4400 Email: Website: www.PowerStream.ca