Sponsorship and Advertising

BT Vehicles
Sponsorship and Advertising

BT has a long history of advertising on vans which can be traced back to the GPO era. Earlier advertising was limited to marketing its own products, whereas today it also works in partnerships with other organisations.

Photo: BT 2012 Vauxhall Vivaro at a training centre © LSA April 2010

Introduction

BT has a long history of advertising on vans which can be traced back to the GPO era. Earlier advertising was limited to marketing its own products, whereas today it also works in partnerships with other organisations.

London Olympics 2012 Sponsor	In recent times, the artwork is lavish and bold...
	Since 2005, BT has sponsored the forthcoming London 2012 Olympics. BT is currently the 'official communications services partner.' Photo: BT 2012 Branded Vivaro Van © LSA April 2010
Tate Online	The 2000s, sponsorships strengthened the corporate brands...
	The turn of the new millennium (2000) saw BT in sponsorship with the Tate Art Gallery... Visit the Tate at www.tate.org.uk Photo: BT Ford Transit - Tate Online © David Cott
Thousands	The 1990s highlighted the brand and contact details...
	In the Nineties, competition between the Telecom Companies (Telcos) was more intense and with 'Number Portability' customers could swap between different providers without too much difficulty. Hence the BT slogan "Thousands are coming back every week". Vans have always been an ideal medium for advertising as long as the messages were in line with the corporate image. Note the website address (www.bt.com) which is now an essential part of any firm's identity. Photo: BT Ford Transit © Light Straw Archive 1999.
ChildLine	The 1980s saw both divisional branding and corporate sponsorship...
	This City Maestro (circa 1986) shows corporate branding "National Networks" (on the side) and a vinyl advert for 'ChildLine' (on the rear door). BT has supported ChildLine since its launch in 1986. Photo: BT Ford Escort © David Cott
Giro	The 1960s adverts promoted other services of the Post Office...
	Advertising of the Sixties and Seventies was displayed on boards which were affixed to the sides of the vans. "Be a Girofirst!" was to encourage customers to bank with the newly formed Girobank. Photo: Post Office Telephones Ford Anglia © Light Straw Oct 1999.
There's Only One Yellow Pages	'Let your fingers do the walking' was one of many iconic phrases...
	The distribution lorries operated on behalf of Yell are resplendent in the Yellow Pages livery, complete with the slogan "There's only one Yellow Pages". As a classified ads business, Yell takes advantage of every form of advertising to promote its services. The Yellow Pages logo has been used on many forms of transport including, mainline trains, London Buses, Tube trains and taxis.

Design, images and text compiled by © Light-Straw. Thanks to David Cott and Yell.
Page last updated June 2015 revision. Checked May 2021.

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