18/05/2009

Transport giant Stagecoach is supporting a Government campaign to help teenagers make informed choices about relationships and sex by providing free advertising space for the initiative on its buses.

The thought-provoking advert -part of the Government’s RU Thinking? Campaign - is designed to reassure young people that when it comes to relationships they shouldn’t believe everything their friends tell them. It aims to help young people deal with the myths they hear about sex, which can increase peer pressure on them to have sex before they are ready.

By texting a free number on the poster they can download a mobile application, which features a lie detector game they can play with their friends as well as a myth buster, which addresses 10 of the most common misconceptions about sex.

By communicating its message on board public transport, the Government hopes to reach young people at times when they could potentially be experiencing peer pressure, for example when they are in large groups, often on their way to or from school.

The advertising will run in over 2,600 Stagecoach buses on routes throughout England during May and June this year. This is the second year in a row that Stagecoach has provided free advertising space for the campaign.

Steven Stewart, Director of Corporate Communications at Stagecoach, said: "We operate buses in more than 100 major towns and cities across the country and many young people spend a lot of time on our services both socially and to access education.

“A significant amount of our community support is focused on helping young people by giving them opportunities to build their skills, awareness and confidence for the future. We hope our backing for this important campaign will help many young people deal with their relationships at a crucial point in their lives."

If you would like to know more about partnering with the RU Thinking campaign, contact Jo Arden at iris on 020 7654 7900 or email jo.arden@iris-london.co.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS

• A pdf image of the poster is available on request by emailing lindsay.reid@stagecoachgroup.com

About Stagecoach:
Stagecoach Group is a leading international public transport group, with extensive operations in the UK, United States and Canada. The company employs around 30,000 people, and operates bus, coach, rail, and tram services. Stagecoach is one of the UK’s biggest bus operators, running around 7,000 buses in nearly 100 towns and cities across the country, from the Highlands of Scotland to south-west England.

About RU Thinking?
RU Thinking? Is part of the Government's Teenage Pregnancy Strategy, a coordinated attempt to tackle both the causes and the consequences of teenage pregnancy. RU Thinking? is aimed at younger teenagers, promoting messages on delaying early sex avoiding peer pressure and accurate information about sexual health, through a dedicated website (www.ruthinking.co.uk) and an advice and information phoneline open twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.

About iris:
Integrated marketing agency iris brokered the partnership and created the poster. iris is a global, independent, integrated marketing agency working across all media and all disciplines and is one of the fastest growing micro-networks in the world. Working with global clients which include Sony Ericsson, Sony, adidas, ING, Shell, Coca-Cola and Hertz, iris delivers award-winning creative work and truly integrated solutions across advertising, direct, digital, PR, retail, experiential and sponsorship, in addition to management consultancy.

Founded in 1999 by Ian Millner and Stewart Shanley, iris has 13 offices in 8 countries and over 550 employees worldwide. Offices are located in London, Manchester, Paris, Amsterdam, Munich, Delhi, Singapore, Sydney, LA, New York, Miami, Portland and Atlanta.

For further information contact:
Lindsay Reid
Corporate Communications Manager
Stagecoach Group
10 Dunkeld Road
Perth
PH1 5TW
Phone: 01738 442111
Fax: 01738 443076
Mobile: 07500 446896
email: lindsay.reid@stagecoachgroup.com

For more information on iris see www.irisnation.com or contact:
Julie Bowyer
020 7101 7824 / 07956513714
julie.bowyer@iris-worldwide.com