London Elects appoints London Communications Agency

London Elects – the body that runs the Mayor of London and London Assembly elections – has appointed London Communications Agency (LCA) to help its campaign to encourage Londoners to take part in the 2012 polls.

On 3^rd May, around 5.8 million voters in Greater London get to decide who will be the capital’s Mayor for the next four years. They will also vote on which 25 individuals will represent them in the London Assembly.

London Elects has appointed LCA to help them reach voters by securing coverage across London’s print, online, radio and television media. The contract will be worth up to £115,000 including fees and costs.

They will work alongside other agencies that will help deliver an advertising campaign and a redeveloped website to be launched later this month.  

John Bennett, Greater London Returning Officer, said: “Like other public sector bodies, we’re operating on a reduced communications budget. PR will play a vital part in helping voters in London understand why and how to vote in the upcoming elections, whilst delivering value for money to the tax payer.

“We’re delighted to appoint LCA as we were impressed by their in-depth understanding of London and Londoners. We are confident they can help our efforts to inspire Londoners to get out and vote on 3 May.”

Robert Gordon Clark, Executive Chairman of London Communications Agency, said: “Not surprisingly we had a queue of LCA colleagues keen to work on this project.  What could be better than helping to run the campaign to get Londoners out to vote?

“This is the first time we have tendered for this contract and now we have 12 years of delivery in the capital we like to think we have the knowledge, skills and contacts to help London Elects get people out to vote in May. It’s a tough challenge but one we are really looking forward to taking on.”

ENDS

For more information please contact the London Elects press office:
Press Officer: euan.holloway@london.gov.uk t.020 7983 4447
Communications Manager: sarah.garrett@london.gov.uk t.020 7983 4449
Follow us on Twitter @LondonElects

Or Robert Gordon Clark at LCA on 020 7612 8480 or rgc@londoncommunications.co.uk
www.londoncommunications.co.uk

Notes to editors

1. London Elects is the independent body responsible – under the direction of the Greater London Returning Officer (GLRO) – for delivering and encouraging participation in the Mayor of London and London Assembly elections.
2. London Elects is part of the Greater London Authority, but is operationally independent. It has a separate budget and reports directly to the GLRO.
3. The GLRO for this election - John Bennett - will work with Returning Officers in the 32 London Boroughs and the City of London to deliver the election.
4. Turnout for the 2008 Mayor of London election was 45.2%, for the Assembly constituency elections was 45.1% and for the Assembly list election was 45.2%.
5. More information on turnout, including on a constituency and borough level, can be found here: http://data.london.gov.uk/documents/GLA-mayoral-elections-2008.pdf
6. As of 1 December 2010, there were 5,715,418 registered voters in Greater London. The latest registration figures, including by borough, can be found here: www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_other/uk-electoral-statistics-2010.xls
7. Figures for 1 December 2011 will be available in the coming weeks
8. LCA was set up by Robert Gordon Clark and Jonny Popper in 1999 and the award winning team of 21 currently represents over 40 organisations in London delivering media, public affairs and corporate communications services.