UTILITA ENERGY TO LAUNCH NATIONAL ‘PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT’ CAMPAIGN IN ABSENCE OF A GOVERNMENT ONE

From Monday 4th April, a new national advertising campaign will appear on television screens across Great Britain to help every household cut their energy costs by as much as £332 – cutting the average energy bill by nearly a fifth. The campaign has been launched after Utilita’s own research of 5,000 households revealed that any Government advice on cutting energy usage has failed to reach most households (84%).

With energy price rises hitting all households from 1st April, Utilita Energy has enlisted the support of The Fast Show’s iconic Dave Angel to show Britain’s households how to ‘Save Like Dave’. Eco Dave’s advice will direct viewers to five free and simple ways to cut home energy waste and save as much as £332 a year – a 17% saving, on the average household bill.

The month-long campaign expects to achieve 170 million impacts between 4th April – 1st May 2022 via TV, online and outdoor spaces.

Bill Bullen, Founder and CEO of Utilita shares his impetus for the ‘public service announcement’ campaign:

“We are facing a very serious problem in the UK. Fuel poverty is set to take hold of millions more households across Great Britain this coming winter, so we have a small window of opportunity to help households to get into the habit of making simple and free changes now, before the cold weather kicks in. If households do this, they will save hundreds of pounds.

“Last winter we helped approximately 2,000 customers each day with financial assistance – we expect this could double by next winter. Energy can and will go further with some sensible behaviour change at home, and if the Government isn’t telling people how to save, we will.”

Jem Maidment, Utilita’s Chief Marketing Officer comments on the campaign launch:

“Last winter we piloted the ‘Save Like Dave’ campaign and it was received extremely well, with 21% of people saying they remembered the advert, which is more than double the industry average.

“The fuel poverty that millions more households will face this winter would be far better avoided through improved, targeted Government support, but whilst the Treasury is trying to work that bit out, we’ve created an ad campaign that will help every household to use and pay for less energy.”

Dave Angel, Eco Warrior explains his reasons for getting behind the energy-saving public service announcement campaign:

“I said it many years ago, ‘The world’s still turning, but we’re not learning’ and, quite frankly, I’m gutted that here we are – 25 years later! – and still bleating on about changes we need to make.

“So, I’m talking to you brothers and sisters – and I’m asking YOU to make a change. If you’re still wasting energy around the house, remember, the cheapest, greenest energy is the energy we don’t use.

“I’m talking about looking after your pocket and this beautiful planet we call home. Follow this energy-saving, ’coz it’s a damned good place to start!”