Eight agencies secure slots on first TfL roster

Buses: iconic part of the capital's network

David Quainton 28-Feb-07

Transport for London (TfL) this week unveiled an eight-agency PR roster that will provide the body with external comms support over the next four years.

Five agencies were chosen for a consumer and corporate roster and another three for a public affairs (PA) brief, each supporting TfL’s overground travel network (see below).

Parts of London’s travel network are set for wholesale renovation in the lead-up to the 2012 Olympics, with the agencies set to promote the planned improvements.

The agencies will also aid comms surrounding transport for major events, such as New Year’s Eve and the annual FA Cup Final.

‘Agencies were selected across a broad spectrum of skills so we should not have to use any from outside the roster in coming years,’ said TfL campaigns unit manager Adi Frost, to whom agencies on the corporate and consumer roster report.

‘We wanted larger networks to deal with all the consumers who use London transport. Every background has to be catered for,’ he said.

The three PA agencies report to head of government and stakeholder relations William Parkes, TfL’s top lobbyist since director of PA Sandy Walkington left (PRWeek, 10 March 2006).

TfL last month hired Seventy Seven PR to promote a planned overhaul of its website (PRWeek, 14 Feb).

London Underground’s agency arrangements are unaffected.

TfL revealed plans to set up the agency roster almost a year ago (PRWeek, 30 March 2006).

AGENCY ROSTER

TFL’s consumer and corporate roster comprises Freud Communications, Fishburn Hedges, London Communications Agency, Porter Novelli and Weber Shandwick.

The PA roster will lobby government on spending reviews, and to get backing for transport plans. It comprises APCO, Bell Pottinger PA and LLM Communications.