Ignite Approved for Membership in Direct Selling Association

Ignite, the marketing arm of Dallas-based Stream Energy, has been approved for membership in the Direct Selling Association, an organization which has established high standards for the direct marketing industry.

Ignite is the first energy marketer to become an active member of the national trade association. The Direct Selling Association requires applicants to undergo a one-year review to ensure compliance with all provisions of the DSA’s Code of Ethics.

“The members of the Direct Selling Association pride themselves in their commitment to the highest standards of business ethics,” said DSA President Neil Offen. “By applying for membership in the association and going through a rigorous approval process, these companies are saying they take their ethical obligations to their field sales force and customers seriously and are willing to make a public pledge to that effect.”

Stream Energy received a Retail Electric Provider permit from the Texas Public Utility Commission in January 2005, following deregulation of the state’s electric industry. Ignite was created in order to market electricity to customers on a one-on-one basis. More than 100,000 Independent Ignite Associates sign up friends, family members and other individuals as Stream Energy customers.

This personal approach to marketing has been highly successful in Texas. Earlier this year, Stream Energy received permission to expand operations into Georgia and Ignite Independent Associates are now marketing natural gas in Atlanta and most major cities in that state.

“We are very pleased that the Direct Selling Association has accepted our application for membership,” said Chris Domhoff, a founder of Stream Energy and Ignite. “The DSA truly sets the benchmark for business ethics in direct marketing. And that has been our goal from the very outset.”

The DSA Code of Ethics gives the direct selling industry one of the strongest self-regulatory codes in business today. The code requires truthful disclosure of product information and expressly prohibits deceptive or unlawful consumer or recruiting practices. An independent code administrator with Direct Selling Association investigates sales force and consumer complaints against members and prescribes remedies.

Ignite is one of 265 active and pending members of Direct Selling Association that have agreed to comply with the strict guidelines of the organization.

 Media contacts:  Paul Thies Stream Energy (214) 800-4409 pault@streamenergy.net  Kelly Lane For Levenson & Brinker Public Relations (214) 351-1586 kelly@klanepr.com

SOURCE: Stream Energy