PR and communications agency, Influential has been appointed to deliver PR and communications support to UK bus operator Stagecoach for its operations across Merseyside and South Lancashire.

Stagecoach is the second largest bus operator in the region and a major employer in the North West with depots based in Chester, Preston, Liverpool, Chorley, and Birkenhead. The company, which bought out the First Bus operations in the Chester and Wirral two years ago, is experiencing significant growth and is expanding and widening its services across the region.

The brief will see Influential work to deliver positive regional and trade sector PR for the business; engaging local communities and raising awareness of its activities locally and within the transport trade sector media – ensuring peer recognition and sector awareness at a national industry level.

Sara Wilde-McKeown, Influential managing director, said:

“We’re very pleased to have been appointed to deliver PR for Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire. Stagecoach is experiencing sustained growth and it’s great to be getting involved with the business at such an exciting time.

“Stagecoach is not only a fantastic brand, it’s also a business which is keenly aware of its ethical responsibilities as a public transport provider, and we’re thoroughly enjoying working with their team to deepen brand awareness and engagement across the region and beyond.”

Elisabeth Tasker, managing director for Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire, said:

“We’re a growing business and a key part of our future strategy is ensuring we have the structure in place to allow us to clearly and effectively communicate with and engage existing and potential passengers. Influential’s appointment will help us to continue to raise awareness of our brand across the region and ensure that we’re reaching our key stakeholders.”

Stagecoach Bus is one of the UK’s major employers, supporting around 24,000 thousand jobs across the UK and over 1,200 jobs in Merseyside and South Lancashire. Over 200 hundred people completed apprenticeships with Stagecoach since 2004 and the company currently employs 150 apprentices.

Influential, which is headquartered in Liverpool with offices in Manchester and London, is one of the North West’s leading independent agencies. The company is experiencing strong growth and has recruited a number of staff to its PR, marketing and digital teams, following key client wins this year including Liverpool ONE, The 20 Effect campaign, and the PR and marketing campaign for Liverpool City Region’s £1.8 billion SuperPort initiative to develop the region into a global logistics hub.