Haslimann Taylor hops on to Arriva UK Bus account

ARRIVA UK Bus has appointed Sutton Coldfield-based PR firm Haslimann Taylor (HT) to handle its six figure consumer and B2B account, following a four-way pitch.

The firm wants PR to support its commercial strategy, which is to recruit new users, encourage infrequent users to travel more often by bus and to retain frequent users.

HT will be running a programme that targets key customer groups, such as young workers and students, as well as having a significant focus on local authorities.

Arriva UK Bus marketing manager Nick Gordon said: “We are in the process of launching a number of industry firsts, such as our carbon neutral gas buses fuelled on household waste, and are also looking to increase our social media and B2B activity, so it was a sensible time to review our agency arrangements.

“HT impressed us with their fresh approach for 2013, their creativity and new look team and we are looking forward to a very productive partnership.”

Bron Eames, HT managing director, who will lead the account, said: “We were first appointed in 2003 and while we have been incredibly proud of the work we have done to date, we are really relishing the new challenge going forward with a new brief.”