JHG-Townsend is launching a green program “Virtual Fridays” that helps employees save on high gas prices and responds to the environmental challenges we all face. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, JHG-Townsend’s 35 employees will be working remotely on Fridays, utilizing the latest communication technologies, including Skype and Web conferencing, to connect and communicate instantly with each other, their clients and partners.

Retail gas prices are up nearly 10 percent from a month ago and have climbed more than 20 percent in the last 12 months. Using a Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies calculator, JHG-Townsend found that by implementing “Virtual Fridays,” the company’s employees will save:

• 30 gallons of gas each week
• 420 gallons of gas during the entire summer program
• And, if 23 gallons are refined from one barrel of oil, the company will save 18 barrels of oil
• 3.64 Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide

JHG-Townsend calculations were done averaging the most current prices at the pump, although analysts estimate that prices will rise to $6 per gallon in July.

“We know this is the right thing to do and now is the time to incorporate the power of technology and create a virtual workforce for the greater cause,” said JHG-Townsend’s chief strategy officer Elizabeth Estes-Cooper. “If 10 San Diego companies of our size followed suit, we will save 4,200 gallons of gas this summer.”

JHG-Townsend’s expertise in new technologies allows employees to use tools like WebEx, Skype, social networks, and more to connect seamlessly during “Virtual Fridays.”

Added Estes-Cooper, “Given that demographics have now caught up with technologies, as a new media agency we can practice what we preach, while making sure we continue to focus on excellent client service.”

JHG-Townsend urges other companies to join the movement and use the “Virtual Fridays” program as an example of how to save money and the environment by going green.