Cox Enterprises Announces National Partnership with Ocean Conservancy

ATLANTA, April 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Cox Enterprises today announced a national partnership with Ocean Conservancy. The partnership is through Cox Conserves, the company's national sustainability program that focuses on reducing waste and energy consumption, as well as conserving water. The Cox Conserves program also seeks to inspire eco-friendly behavior in the communities it serves.

Cox Enterprises operates across the nation and has numerous properties along the Atlantic Coast, Gulf of Mexico and Pacific Coast. The company's main divisions are Cox Communications, Manheim, Cox Media Group and AutoTrader Group.

"I grew up in Hawaii where I spent more time in the ocean than on land, and I still enjoy the ocean wherever I can," said Cox Enterprises' Chairman Jim Kennedy.  "The oceans have become a dumping ground throughout the world, and we must do something to change that. I'm glad we're partnering with the Ocean Conservancy to make people aware of the problem and let them know how they can help."

Cox Enterprises will create public service announcements (PSAs) for Ocean Conservancy, which will be distributed across Cox's media assets. The partnership also will include beach cleanups at Cox's various coastal locations through the company's employee volunteer program.  Over the last 28 years, Ocean Conservancy has removed more than 175 million pounds of trash from beaches around the world during its International Coastal Cleanup.

"We believe a healthy ocean means healthy people and communities. This partnership with Cox Enterprises will enable us to reach new audiences on the important role the ocean plays in each of our lives," said Ocean Conservancy's President and CEO Andreas Merkl. "We're thrilled to work with a company that values the positive steps we can all take to keep the ocean and our beaches clean and healthy."

In addition to Ocean Conservancy, Cox Enterprises partners nationally with American Rivers and The Trust for Public Land to make a positive impact on rivers and land. Cox employees have removed more than 16 tons of trash at river cleanups. Cox created the Cox Conserves Heroes program in partnership with The Trust for Public Land and has honored more than 100 volunteers for creating or enhancing outdoor spaces.

Cox's properties across the nation also support local nonprofits. Since Cox Conserves launched in 2007, the company and its affiliated foundations have invested more than $100 million in sustainability and conservation through operations projects and grants to environmental nonprofits.

The company's sustainability goals are to send zero waste to landfill in the next 7-10 years and become carbon and water neutral in the next 25-30 years.

About Cox Enterprises:
Cox Enterprises is a leading communications, media and automotive services company. With revenues of nearly $16 billion and more than 50,000 employees, the company's major operating subsidiaries include Cox Communications (cable television distribution, high-speed Internet access, telephone, commercial telecommunications and advertising solutions); Manheim (vehicle auctions, repair and certification services and web-based technology products); Cox Media Group (television and radio stations, digital media, newspapers and advertising sales rep firms); and AutoTrader Group (automotive media and software solutions). The company's national consumer brands include AutoTrader.com, Kelley Blue Book, Savings.com and Valpak.

About Ocean Conservancy:
Ocean Conservancy educates and empowers citizens to take action on behalf of the ocean. From the Arctic to the Gulf of Mexico to the halls of Congress, Ocean Conservancy brings people together to find solutions for our water planet. Informed by science, our work guides policy and engages people in protecting the ocean and its wildlife for future generations.  www.oceanconservancy.org

SOURCE Cox Enterprises