Ad Industry Backs #TimeToVote Intiative Ahead of 2017 General Election

Advertising sold on democracy Industry’s employers lead the way in supporting #TimeToVote initiative ahead of the General Election 

“Give staff time to vote” could be the advertising slogan of the week as the industry leads the way in helping employees make it to the polling booths on Thursday. Wieden & Kennedy, Brothers & Sisters and Creature of London are among the dozens of firms and companies signed up to the non-partisan #TimeToVote initiative ahead of the general election.

The simple premise is for bosses to make a pledge to flexible working arrangements on June 8th to help employees exercise their democratic right to vote. To help keep the campaign front of mind on election day, staff will also be encouraged to post a ‘selfie’ from the polling station on social media with the hashtag #TimeToVote.

A third of registered voters didn’t cast their ballot in the last general election and research shows that when people plan their trip to the polling booth in advance, they are significantly more likely to vote.

A similar campaign called Take Off Election Day proved successful ahead of last year’s US election where Spotify, SurveyMonkey, TaskRabbit and Western Union were among 340 companies that gave their employees time of to vote.

It is not just the advertising industry supporting the cause in the UK. Creative companies such as comedian Steve Coogan’s Big Cow and film star Colin Firth’s Raindog films are also on-board, along with leading technology firms Skimlinks and Quantum Black. Iain Tait, executive company director of advertising agency Wieden & Kennedy, said: “Time To Vote seemed like something we couldn’t not do. Getting people to turn out for these elections is more important than ever whatever your political leanings.”

Organisations can sign up to #TimeToVote at the website  http://timetovote.co.uk/