Oxford Bus Company ‘Brand the Bus’ finalists announced

Some 4,807 unique online votes were cast for 23 entries made by charities and good causes to be branded on a double decker bus. The top ten good causes nominated by the public votes will now go before a judging panel to select the winner. 

The finalists are: Restore, Read Easy Oxford, HFT, PACT, Kelly Jackson Memorial Fund, Helen & Douglas House, Maggie’s, Yellow Submarine, Borneo Nature Foundation and Be Free Young Carers.

Phil Southall Oxford Bus Company Managing Director said: “Thank to all of the good causes that entered and to everyone who took the time to vote. As ever we have been reminded there are so many inspiring good causes in our community doing a variety of vital work.

“We hope Brand the Bus has given a well-deserved boost to our community and it will be quite a challenge to select the overall winner from such a strong short list.”

The judging panel, which includes Grant Hayward director of Collaborent and Laura Price, CEO of Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action, will examine the final ten entries later this month and select the winners. Prizes will be awarded to the competitors who have, in the panel’s opinion, fulfilled the brief to the highest standard.

Laura Price said: “I’m delighted to join this year’s panel for Oxford Bus Company’s Brand the Bus competition. It will be fantastic to hear about the good causes that have been shortlisted and I’m sure that the opportunity to raise awareness and visibility of their work will have a big impact for the winner.”

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 charity. Runners up will receive on-board digital advertising and marketing support. Girlguiding Oxford, Home-Start Oxford and Blue Skye Thinking have all had double decker buses decked out in their branding after winning previous rounds of the competition.