BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Dockless bike share company ofo has appointed Fusion Media to handle its consumer PR brief for the UK market.
“Getting people cycling is good for the environment, good for health and good for our business. We’re excited to partner with an agency that leads the way in communicating the benefits of cycling to a variety of different audiences,” commented operations director at ofo Joseph Seal-Driver. “We were impressed with Fusion’s deep-rooted and specialist knowledge and their agility and versatility as we continue on a path of rapid growth for ofo in the UK.”
ofo has become one of the world’s largest bike-sharing platforms in regard to both size and market share. With more than 32 million transactions daily, ofo connects over 10 million bikes to riders in over 250 cities. In total, more than 5 billion rides have been provided to over 100 million users globally. ofo is currently ramping up operations in 20 countries, including the UK.
The company first launched in the UK in April this year in Cambridge, and has since rolled out to Oxford, Hackney, Islington, City of London and Norwich.
Founded in 2008, London-based Fusion Media is a boutique agency focusing on PR and digital for cycling and endurance sports. Its portfolio of clients includes brands like Strava, Evans Cycles, Red Bull, Wahoo, Shimano, Telegraph Events, Ribble Cycles, Royal Dutch Gazelle and Madison.
The agency will focus on growing awareness of bike sharing in the UK, while also engaging specialist, consumer and lifestyle media with the brand and its push to grow cycling in the UK.
ofo’s bikes are hired through a smartphone app for 50p for 30 minutes, capped to a maximum of £5 a day, and can be picked up and dropped off anywhere that bike parking is allowed. ofo does not require riders to pay a deposit before use. To access a bike, riders can download the ofo app and unlock their nearest bike via Bluetooth connection.
Founder and director at Fusion Media Adam Tranter said: “Getting more people on bikes is a hugely inspiring task for us and one we’re very passionate to be working on with ofo. Cycling has gripped the UK and we’re delighted to be working with an innovative global technology company that can help tackle congestion and change mobility in our towns and cities for the better.”
Fusion Media will work alongside Instinctif Partners, who work with ofo on public affairs and policy.
