Air Canada takes on WestJet with holiday video of its own
Dec 3, 2014, 5:59 pm
#19
Formerly known as tireman77
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 5,536
Dec 3, 2014, 6:03 pm
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Thanks for the Memories !!!
Posts: 10,658
What about the FA were they good or bad actors, and were they real FA?
Dec 3, 2014, 6:28 pm
#23
Join Date: Jul 2005
Programs: SQ *Gold
Posts: 871
I'm not a marketing/PR/advertising expert (though Ms. JBB is), but my problem with this ad is that it is so obviously derivative of Westjet's campaign. And, what's worse is that it isn't even as good in terms of execution or production as Westjet's (either last year's or this year's).
As AC already has a brand image problem with many average Canadians, the risk with an ad like this, is that it furthers the cynicism people associate with the brand. ie. that AC is unoriginal (for copying Westjet), behind the times (this ad came out after WS already put out 2 similar ads), and not as competent or creative (production values on WS ads were much higher).
I don't consider myself an AC-hater, but I'm pretty disappointed with this ad. AC had an opportunity to try something fresh and original, but this just seems late, uncreative and not well executed which unfortunately does reflect back on the brand as a whole and management in specific.
Good on the patrons of the Maple Leaf for scoring free tickets though!
As AC already has a brand image problem with many average Canadians, the risk with an ad like this, is that it furthers the cynicism people associate with the brand. ie. that AC is unoriginal (for copying Westjet), behind the times (this ad came out after WS already put out 2 similar ads), and not as competent or creative (production values on WS ads were much higher).
I don't consider myself an AC-hater, but I'm pretty disappointed with this ad. AC had an opportunity to try something fresh and original, but this just seems late, uncreative and not well executed which unfortunately does reflect back on the brand as a whole and management in specific.
Good on the patrons of the Maple Leaf for scoring free tickets though!
Last edited by jbb; Dec 3, 2014 at 7:40 pm
Dec 3, 2014, 7:24 pm
#24
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: YYC
Programs: BA bronze, Aeroplan peon
Posts: 4,747
I've been past the Maple Leaf pub and looked at the menu and I didn't think that it offered anything particularly "Canadian" it looked much like the pub grub at many other pubs in the UK. Aside from a few flags for decoration it didn't feel Canadian to me. Wasn't enough to tempt me to have a meal there.
Dec 3, 2014, 7:30 pm
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Thanks for the Memories !!!
Posts: 10,658
From a marketing perspective, at Christmas, AC isn't looking to compare with Westjet on a who-is-more-deserving basis, but rather making a connection with a middle class audience - the bulk of its clientele - by associating them with the joys of a family reunion.
Both videos have merit in their own right.
Both videos have merit in their own right.
Dec 3, 2014, 7:39 pm
#27
Join Date: Jul 2005
Programs: SQ *Gold
Posts: 871
I've been past the Maple Leaf pub and looked at the menu and I didn't think that it offered anything particularly "Canadian" it looked much like the pub grub at many other pubs in the UK. Aside from a few flags for decoration it didn't feel Canadian to me. Wasn't enough to tempt me to have a meal there.
Dec 3, 2014, 7:52 pm
#28
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Calgary
Programs: Altitude E50K, WS Gold (status match)
Posts: 1,211
A nice video on AC's part and it's a wonderful gesture! It's too bad AC's video is not getting nearly the traffic and attention the WS videos have garnered. From a marketing perspective, it maybe did not attract enough eyeballs to justify the cost. Although it could yet go viral.
Dec 3, 2014, 11:28 pm
#30
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: YCD
Programs: AC2MM SE Fairmont Presidents club
Posts: 178
I disagree with you. When I first saw the video and how quickly it was done it was clear not much thought had gone into it. It was very lame. An embarrassment as far as I'm concerned, and as someone else posted, a derivative of the ws campaign. For the record, I'm not a hater