Back to list Service & repair Jan 22, 2013 00:00 Direct Energy Unveils Upbeat Energy Market Intelligence Blog, Electric Avenue (And Gas Too!) Pittsburgh, PA (January 22, 2013) – With the goal of updating businesses about energy news and trends in an engaging and upbeat tone, Direct Energy unveiled their one-of-a-kind energy blog, Electric Avenue. Launched by four of Direct Energy's top energy analysts - Lars Cleath, Mike Krygowski, Joe Polka and Hans Rottman – the quartet will provide a timely source of expert reporting and analysis on a variety of energy topics that arise each week. To read more please visit the blog. "Many energy blogs fall short of making content interesting," said Mike Senff, vice president of sales and marketing, Direct Energy. "Electric Avenue is a new type of energy blog that gives our business customers access to the latest information impacting power and natural gas markets, and does it in a way that is entertaining and insightful." The blog was the brainchild of Direct Energy's market intelligence analysts in an attempt to further utilize social media outlets to broadcast their viewpoints about what is happening in the energy markets. The bloggers' upbeat and distinct personalities are apparent in all posts. About the Electric Avenue bloggers: Lars Cleath, senior market intel analyst, is responsible for supporting various areas of the business including wholesale trading, market analysis, online auctions and sales support. Cleath is an avid coffee drinker and chairman of the unofficial annual Festivus celebration at the Direct Energy Business office. Mike Krygowski, senior analyst for market intelligence, negotiates the varied landscape of trading and portfolio management to maintain industry relationships to spur hedging opportunities for Direct Energy's large and industrial customers. He had a lot of extra time for blogging because his Pittsburgh Penguins season tickets were useless, but that is about to change. Joe Polka, market intel analyst, provides market analysis on the electric and natural gas markets and purchases wholesale electricity on behalf of large corporations. He is as enthusiastic about Electric Avenue as he is for video games and pop nostalgia. Hans Rottman, senior manager of market intelligence, manages the team and also works directly with customers and sales to evaluate energy markets and the risks and opportunities for customers in order to ultimately develop buying strategies. Hans drinks more coffee than Lars and uses the extra boost for lunch time runs and to talk really fast on his weekly podcast that is posted on the Direct Energy Business website (under Energy Insights). The bloggers are available for interviews. Why use the name Electric Avenue? Direct Energy coordinated an internal contest to name the blog, and Electric Avenue was the clear winner. We love the name, but blog followers are still trying to get the song out of their heads. About Direct Energy Direct Energy is one of North America's largest energy and energy-related services providers with more than 6 million residential and commercial customer relationships. Direct Energy provides customers with choice and support in managing their energy costs through a portfolio of innovative products and services. A subsidiary of Centrica plc (LSE:CNA), one of the world's leading integrated energy companies, Direct Energy operates in 46 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia and 10 provinces in Canada. For further information, please contact: Andrea Romo Direct Energy Business 1-412-334-9510 Andrea.Romo@directenergy.com