Trans-Action backs plan for 1150,000 pro-truck TV ads
Page 4
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
by Charles Young
A new campaign designed to bolster public Support for hauliers and lobby the Government to lower their tax burden has evoked mixed feelings with the industry.
A marketing company based in Cornwall is planning to raise funds for television advertisements throughout the UK which would urge members of the public to ring a campaign hotline to register their support.
The results would then be used as a lobbying tool to persuade the Government to reduce hauliers' tax burden.
The company, Mega Markets, believes it can raise around £750.000 by selling teeshirts which carry the Truck Relief UK logo (above right).
It is seeking endorsements from the Road Haulage Association, The Freight Transport Association and Trans-Action before it writes to manufacturers and others looking for sponsorship.
Trans-Action's Frank Stears says: "Transaction is backing it 100% and I'm going to ask the RHA if we can do a joint sponsorship. I've already bought five teeshirts." A spokesman for the FTA says: "This is an interesting and clearly well meaning attempt to put the issue in front of the general public, but we are not convinced spending that amount of money on
a telephone petition is the best possible investment for the cause."
The RHO. says it is behind the initiative but will not be a sponsor.
Peter Hyatt from Mega Markets says his company only plans to take a 10% profit from the scheme as he is more interested in getting a "good track record" for his company. He believes the fact that it is an independent survey will work in hauliers favour.
• Mega Markets plans to write to 35 comi panies asking for £6,500 (ex-VAT) which will buy a logo space on and fund 60,000 teeshirts. These will be sent free to hauliers and others in the industry who will be asked to buy at least another four teeshirts at £8 each, of which £4 will be used to fund a £750,000 TV campaign and telephone poll.
Hyatt and his business partner, David Earles, insist that most of the £75,000 they will make on the campaign will be spent on extra staff and distribution.
Contact: 01872 552275.