McCann to steer National Express’s buses marketing campaign

SOLIHULL-based PR and marketing firm McCann Central has been appointed as strategic and creative agency partner for National Express West Midlands, the bus operating arm of National Express Group PLC.

Following a competitive pitch process at the end of 2015, the agency was officially awarded the account at the start of this year to help Birmingham-based National Express grow passenger numbers on its buses.

The appointment will see McCann Central provide planning, strategic and creative services. Campaign activity will kick-off later this month with the launch of the company’s new Off-Peak Day Saver offering, which will include outdoor, digital and social media as well as the company’s own travel centres.

Jon Marchant, managing director at McCann Central said: “We have an exciting and interesting challenge ahead of us to emphasise the value and convenience that bus travel offers and shout about the ways it is continuously improving.”

Guy Herrington, interim head of marketing at National Express, said: “We have been very impressed with McCann Central before, during and after our pitch process. They have excellent marketing capability and huge enthusiasm for our business. We are looking forward to working with them on our exciting opportunities.”