OXFORD BUS COMPANY ‘BRAND THE BUS’ COMPETITION ATTRACTED RECORD NUMBER OF VOTES

The public vote for the latest Oxford Bus Company’s ‘Brand the Bus’ competition has now closed, and ten good causes have been selected for the grand finale that secured the most public votes.

Some 7,165 unique online votes were cast for 23 entries made by charities and good causes for a livery to be designed to feature on a bus. The competition attracted almost 1,000 more votes than in the previous year and the 'top ten' will now go before a judging panel to select the winner.

The finalists are: Abingdon Riding for the Disabled Group, Against Breast Cancer Blue Skye Thinking, Helen & Douglas House, Maggie’s Oxford, Oxfordshire Mind, Reducing the Risk, SeeSaw, Shine Oxford and Sobell House Hospice.

Phil Southall, Oxford Bus Company Managing Director said: “Thanks to all of the charities and good causes that entered and to everyone who took the time to vote. So many inspiring good causes made submissions, and it is a timely reminder there are many excellent organisations doing much vital work in our community.

“The competition has gained in popularity attracting more public votes and we hope it has provided some positivity and a well-deserved boost during COVID-19. As ever it will be a challenge to select the overall winner from such a strong short list.”

The judging panel, which includes BBC Radio Oxford presenter Kat Orman, will examine the final ten entries later this month and select the winner. On-board digital advertising and marketing support may be awarded to other competitors who have, in the panel’s opinion, fulfilled the brief to a high standard.

Kat Orman, of BBC Radio Oxford, said: “It’s been a real pleasure to hear how many amazing charities and organisations we have across our county and how Oxford Bus Company are giving them a helping hand through these turbulent times. I’m looking forward to joining the panel of judges and picking a winner and seeing their livery travel across Oxfordshire.”

The winning organisation will be invited to work with the Oxford Bus Company to design a bus livery featuring the brand colours, logo and messages of the charity. Girl Guiding Oxfordshire won the inaugural 2019 Brand the Bus competition and Home-Start Oxfordshire scooped first place last year. Both good causes now have their branding emblazoned on a double-decker on the streets of Oxford.