5th November 2007

Four drives Radio Taxis to the top

Sustainable transport provider wins prestigious Green Award

Radio Taxis Group has reiterated its reputation as the UK’s most environmentally friendly transport provider, by winning the award for Best PR Campaign (Under £100,000) at the prestigious Green Awards 2007.

Nominated for the launch of their new 30% blend BioFuel in conjunction with leading London PR agency Four Communications, Radio Taxis beat-off competition from the Co-operative Group and Lush to take the award. Other winners on the night included Honda, Marks and Spencer, BSkyB and the Carbon Trust.

Commenting Geoffrey Riesel, Chairman of Radio Taxis said,

"We are delighted to have been recognised for the success of the event, which was the perfect platform to launch our new BioFuel from. Already we have seen a real growth in sales and this is in no small part due to the campaign."

Tim Lewis, Head of Four Communications’ Sustainable Business team said,

"In the ten years since we looked to introduce the concept of carbon to the world we have seen huge strides forward in embedding sustainability into business practice. Radio Taxis should be applauded for all of the work that they have done, and continue to do."

Held at the end of July, the launch publicised the unveiling of Radio Taxis’ new BioFuel, the first to be created specifically for taxis. Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, joined Managing Director Andrew Herbert and four specially branded ’BioFuel: Green is the new black’ cabs for a photo-call in front of Tower Bridge while the media were encouraged to attend through the offer of a ’Carbon Neutral Commute’ for journalists wishing to be present.

The panel of judges commended Radio Taxis and Four for the choice of location and ambassador which helped to drive coverage amongst key regional media and for the strategic approach of the campaign which saw different messages communicated to diverse target audiences, as a part of the wider integrated programme.

In the month following the launch, Radio Taxis received over £9 million of positive coverage with stories run across four networks in the US, Middle East and UK, as well as significant pick-up in strategically important London media.

Four Communications is a specialist in environmental communications. The first PR agency in the UK to become CarbonNeutral®, the company has worked with a variety of clients across the sector, including acclimatise, the Carbon Trust, Country Life, Greenergy, Vextrix and the Waste Recycling Group.

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Notes to Editors

  • Formed in 1953, Radio Taxis Group provides a single point solution for all business and private ground transport needs. It was de-mutualised in June 2004.
  • Based in North London, Radio Taxis Group’s fleet of over 3000 vehicles includes chauffeur driven executive cars, black taxis, private hire vehicles (including an in-house driver training school) and a motorbike and van courier service.
  • Radio Taxi Group subsidiary One Transport is the first UK company to offer a fully integrated booking and review system, allowing customers to book online and then quickly and accurately track their usage afterwards.
  • Radio Taxi Group has pioneered sustainable transport systems in the UK. It was the first CarbonNeutral® transport service provider, invests heavily in energy and emissions reductions programmes and has an in-house R&D facility dedicated to reviewing new technologies that target improving environmental performance
  • Radio Taxis Group has been recognised by a number of independent awards, including The Energy Savings Trust Best Practice Award, the Business in the Community Awards for Excellence, the Impact on Society Award, the CIMA Financial Management CSR Award, the Business Travel Weekly Award for Business Road Service, the ITM Icarus Ground Transport Award and the Green Award for Best PR Campaign (Under £100,000).

For further information about Radio Taxis Group, informed comment, interview or images please contact:

Paul Donlon / Oliver Williams (Four Communications Plc)
E: rtg@fourcommunications.com
T: + 0044 (0) 870 420 3268