Transavia…
Now, my Dutch is somewhat rusty, but…
…I think the upshot is, come up with a new tagline for us, and we’ll let you travel free for a year on our very bright green budget airline (hopefully with a free pair of sunglasses, instead of an in-flight meal).
Clients usually get the quality of work / agency they deserve.
I’m not saying I disagree with crowd sourcing, far from it. But this does not feel remotely slick, strategic, or thought through in the slightest. Good luck Transavia. Something tells me you may need it after this…
Iain G. Morrison doesn’t think Transavia will be offering him any free flights in the near future…
KLM Surprise…
So, Spanair eased the painful wait on luggage at the end of the journey. And KLM hit the nail on the head with their random acts of kindness at another travel pressure point.
The loooooong wait in the departure lounge.
This video’s a tad lengthy, but it’s great to see a little of the behind the scenes effort, showcasing how the social team worked with the ground staff.
Nicely joined up effort and some very smilely passengers as a result.
Much more individual than the euphoric Spanair group effort, but it showcases how personal data can be used to maximum effect without feeling too big brothery. Good effort KLM, keep up the good work…
Iain G. Morrison is a senior marketer in the British Tourism Industry. And is ready for some random acts of kindness to come my way. Pretty please?
P.S. Sure it’s a coincidence many of the travellers late on were off to a social media conference. Those KLM’ers are a canny bunch…
Random acts of kindness… Spanair style
So, random acts of kindness? Tipped to be one of the top marketing trends for savvy marketers looking to generate some positive word of mouth about their brands in 2011.
It was somewhat heartwarming to see the sultry Spanish Senors & Señoritas over at Spanair get in on the act at the most festive time of year…
The eternal, sleepy painful wait for luggage by the conveyor belt has to be one of the hardest parts of any journey, short or long. Great work Spanair for giving weary travellers on their way home to see Santa a much needed boost…
Iain G. Morrison is a senior marketer in the British Tourism Industry. And was obviously a very, very good boy this year judging by what Santa left me…
Welcome to Britain…
The concept of ‘welcome’ can be rather hard to define in travel terms.
For me, the welcome that put the biggest smile on my face was Nadi International airport in Fiji. A tiny little airport, but every single traveller that flies into the country (night and day), is met with the sort of welcome that is guaranteed to put a smile on even the weariest travellers face.
Three happy, smiling men with guitars, welcoming you to Fiji in song. T-mobile’s latest ‘flashmob’ (term used in the loosest sense) that I spotted yesterday, picks up on that sing-song-style at the world-famous Heathrow Terminal 5.
If you’re watching the TV this weekend, you’re bound to see the ad at some stage. Next time your picking someone up at the airport remember.
Do it in song…
Iain G. Morrison is a senior marketer in the British Tourism Industry. And is warming my vocal chords before my next airport visit…
Staycation this summer? Or spraycation…
Firstly dear readers (well, Mum), apologies for having been a little quiet of late. Now that I’m settled in my new abode, normal service shall resume…
Easing in gently, I now share with you my favourite PR story of the year thus far. Our good friends over at Premier Inn were offering guests ‘spraycations’ for those canny stay at home holiday makers in August of 2010.
But what the devil is a ‘spraycation’ I hear you cry?
Just one more coat...
Head of Marketing Steve Conway said: “With our limited ‘spray-cation’ offer, there’s no excuse not to try a British break! With rooms from just £29, Premier Inn is all about offering guests great value and what could be better value than leaving us with a free instant Summer glow?
Britain has everything we need for a perfect break – everything that is, except guaranteed sunshine to give us a perfect tan when holidaying closer to home. As a result of the unpredictable British weather, the UK’s biggest hotel chain today announces it will be providing limited ‘spray-cations’ – free spray tans at selected Premier Inn sites across the country.
So, next time your friends claim their healthy glow is as the result of a cheeky weekend break in the Balearics, do check if Premier Inn are running their little offer again…
Iain G. Morrison is a senior marketer in the British Tourism industry. And would just like to remind you, that pale is beautiful…
Troll…
Was always my favourite insult of choice for my little sister growing up. It seems the savvy Swede’s are now using the infamous troll to market Skane…
They’ve opted for the happy troll (which is probably why few raised their heads on the streets of London). The live ‘troll spot’ camera link-ups on the site are a great way to showcase the raw, natural beauty of the destination whilst encouraging deeper engagement / repeat visits / noise across social networks, all of which no doubt tick the targets checklist.
Clearly not going to take on ‘best job’ epic proportions, but it’s a lovely campaign none the less. This handy troll spotting guide is clearly a must for anyone thinking about a visit to Sweden. Extra points if you spot a grumpy one.
See you soon sis…
Iain G. Morrison is a senior marketer in the British Tourism Industry. And is off troll spotting…
Welsh Wales…
Give us their Newport (not New York), state of mind…
Not sure this came the tourist board, but who cares. It’s a perfect slice of Friday afternoon joy. I think the China / twinning line be my favourite. What’s yours?
Iain G. Morrison is a senior marketer in the British Tourism Industry. And is loving the Welsh…
It’s like burning bras never happened…
I think it was Boney M in their Ra-Ra-Rasputin song, that finished with the line, ‘Oh those Russians’. And with this little effort from Avianova (a low-cost Russian airline), that sentiment seems somewhat appropriate…
Given most low-cost airlines adopt the ‘no news is bad news / as long as they are talking about you’ standpoint, I’m sure the flurry of sexist / sexy attention this will get them will do their awareness levels no harm at all
As an aside, if they decide to extend the brand (a la easyeverythingtosuityourneeds), to car-washes across mainland Europe; given the way they clean their planes, I think it’s safe to assume they will be rather popular…
Iain G. Morrison is a senior marketer in the British Tourism Industry. And would like to remind you all (as if you didn’t already know), sex sells…
Begbie, Rents, Sickboy, Spud and a couple of mascots…
Some brilliant news that should excite the whole of Blighty this fine summers day!
Danny Boyle, the rather talented director of Slumdog Millionaire, Trainspotting (and that crap one with Leo Dicaprio on a beach), has been named artistic director of the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic games.
The challenge ahead of Danny and his team? CGI assistance or not, Beijing stunned the world with their lavish opening in 2008.
Boris and Leona on a bus simply won’t cut it here and with an estimated audience of over a billion people worldwide, this will have to be a stunner start to finish. I for one can’t wait. Just don’t let Begbie get hammered?
Iain G. Morrison is a senior marketer in the British tourism industry. And is rather looking forward to 2012. End of the world or not…
Wenlock and Mandeville…
Well, well, well.
The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) just unveiled the mascots for the London 2012 Games. And shock, horror, there isn’t a fluffy animal in sight…
The two mascots, ‘Wenlock’ for the Olympics and ‘Mandeville’ for the Paralympics are one-eyed, metallic creatures of the tellytubby variety.
Cute back-story time; they were borne from the last two drops of steel poured for the final girder of the 2012 stadium, taken home by a loving retiring Grandfather who carves them into their one-eyed mascot form.
The animated video (although a tad long), sets them up perfectly.
Given the brief was to create mascots that would excite and inspire young people and encourage them to get involved in sport, I think all involved can give themselves a pat on the back. Mascots of the sporting variety are usually cheese-tastic furry Disney rejects. This offering will engage the little blighters, really think they’ve nailed this one…
Disappointing to see the talking heads on Newsnight moaning about these last night. Perhaps they didn’t read the brief before getting on their soap boxes?
Iain G. Morrison is a senior marketer in the British Tourism Industry. And a 2012 mascot lover. For the alternative take on it, gotta love the daily mash…
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