Church is united: Christmas starts with Christ

20 May 2009

Today church representatives from across the UK attended the launch of ChurchAds.Net, at the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity (LICC).

They were shown plans for the UK’s first ever church-sponsored Christmas advertising campaign, which is planned to run over the next five years under the slogan: "Christmas Starts with Christ". Mike Elms, former CEO of advertising agency Ogilvy & Mather, and trustee of ChurchAds.Net, said: "For years churches across the UK have produced posters to promote Christmas, but no one has run a full campaign, with a long-lasting slogan that runs and builds year on year. This December, for the first time ever, churches will be able to gather under a united campaign with the slogan 'Christmas Starts with Christ'. Each year ChurchAds.Net will produce different posters, radio ads and downloadable church resources using the new slogan."

The ChurchAds.Net Christmas campaign for 2009 will have three elements: A bus stop poster, radio adverts and downloadable materials for use in local churches. The campaign has wide support from bishops and church leaders.

Churches will shortly be able to download, free of charge, resources including small posters, graphics for service sheets and web material, all designed to help churches grow their congregations.

ChurchAds.org, formally know as the Churches Advertising Network (CAN), has secured the services of some of the UK’s top award winning advertising executives and designers, who give their work to the church for free.

David Coleman, Church Army’s Communications Manager, and member of ChurchAds.Net commented: "This is a very strategic and positive response to the need for churches to pull together under a united campaign. This will help to promote the value of church and the Christian faith - and it has our support here at Church Army."

For more information on ChurchAds.Net, contact David Marshall: 07836 224 444.