OXFORD BUS COMPANY LAUNCHES 2021 BRAND THE BUS COMPETITION

•Competition for a good cause to be decked out on a bus is back by popular demand for 2021

•This year attracted more than 6,000 public votes for 32 entrants

•Competition returns for third year running to help good causes at challenging time

The Oxford Bus Company has launched the new round of its annual Brand the Bus competition – for a good cause to have its branding on a double-decker bus.

It has pledged to continue the popular competition for the third year running to support good causes as they face increased challenges due to COVID-19. Entries are now open for good causes, or its supporters, to submit a short video or PDF presentation on why it should win the Brand the unique Bus competition. The winner will have its logo and messages proudly displayed all over an Oxford Bus Company bus which will operate on its City services.

Girl Guiding Oxfordshire won the inaugural 2019 Brand the Bus competition and Home-Start Oxford scooped first place this year. Both good causes now have a branded bus emblazoned on a double-decker.

The 10 entries for 2021 that are deemed best according to a public vote will be shortlisted and examined by a judging panel. This time the Brand the Bus competition is being supported by BBC Radio Oxford and one of its presenters will join the judging panel.

Prizes will be awarded to the competitors who have, in the panel’s opinion, fulfilled the brief to the highest standard. The winning organisation will be invited to work with the Oxford Bus Company to design a bus wrap featuring the brand colours, logo, and messages of the good cause. Runners-up will receive support via digital on-board bus advertising.

Phil Southall Oxford Bus Company Managing Director said: “Our Brand the Bus competition has become a popular part of Oxfordshire life and provides excellent support to deserving good causes.

“The transport industry is facing significant challenges due to COVID-19, but we felt it was important to continue the Brand the Bus competition this year, at a time when good causes need more support than ever before. One of our core values is being socially responsible and central to this is giving something back to the communities we serve, and this competition has proved to be a great way to do that.

“It is a great opportunity for good causes to get involved and raise their profile. Many of the previous entrants and winners have fed back that the Brand the Bus competition has helped them increase awareness of their good cause and engagement within the community. There are so many good causes that do such good work across the county and we’re looking forward to considering all the entries again this time.”

In addition to the Brand the Bus competition winning buses, the Oxford Bus Company have wrapped other buses to support good causes. It has previously wrapped a bus in Oxford Pride colours as part of its commitment to embracing diversity and the Oxfordshire Prostate Cancer Support Group bus. Oxford Bus Company selected the Oxfordshire Prostate Cancer Support Group as worthy of a branded bus, as some of its employees have been affected by the disease.

The Brand the Bus competition originated in 2018 after the Oxford Bus Company decided to invite public nominations for a bus to be branded in a good cause’s identity. It was introduced as an extension of the company’s policy of inviting colleagues to internally recommend organisations to support across the year, rather than have one chosen beneficiary.

The deadline for Brand the Bus entries is 29^th November 2020 and public voting closes on 13^th December 2020. The winner will be announced in the new year.