Don't forget the Virgin group only owns 25% of DJ.

And DJ has brought in ex-QF management in a big way (who seem to be intent in converting DJ from what it was to be what they wanted QF to be).

Plenty of rumours about that they are losing patience in getting a license to use the Virgin brand internationally (blocked by SQ, hence PB & VA), and may rebrand the entire group as VA or something similar. This would help signal a change from the old regime.

I really wanted JB to get the CEO gig at QF. I like what he is doing with DJ - they can't compete at the low end with Tiger/JQ, can't keep getting squeezed in the middle, so is going upmarket to pull QF traffic. Converting their Y+ (a stupid idea from the start) to a proper J is a good example.

I would not be surprised to see this happen.

Perhaps they can purchase the Ansett name off the administrators and re-brand the airline into what it fast appears to becoming. (the positive bits that is)

Why would you want to rebrand it Ansett.

Recognised brand and can be used both within and out of Australia. It also has an emotional attachment for many Australians. As it has been a while since the brand was around, most negative aspects of the brand have faded leaving most people aware of only the positive.

Most importantly it means that the company (DJ) can consolidate over 1 brand rather than 4 it currently uses which is bizarre since they are not really trying to segment their market in the QF/JQ kind of way.

Especially with the tie-up with Air NZ, it kinda makes sense. It also gets SQ off their back in terms of the whole naming thing, and allows them (being Ansett) to re-enter the Star Alliance.

I notice that Branson had something to say about this: Virgin name to stay � Branson

In a rash of DJ stories from that site:-

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Given they have dropped NZ domestic (from OCT), I presume the logical chice would be Virgin Australia and rebrand Pacific Blue, Virgin Blue and V Australia into the common name branding.

If oyu look at the Virgin Blue prospectus - there is nothing about SQ blocking the name. It is actually Virgin Group (which has no SQ ownership) that has the restrictions on the Virgin Blue brand licensing.

Somne key points from their prospectus

http://www.virginblue.com.au/cms/gro...t/u_000658.pdf Page 70

- Virgin Group own the "Virgin" and "Virgin Blue" names
- License agreement until 2015
- Name is licensed until 2015
- Can only be used for domestic and no other worldwide places (presumably to protect Virgin's chances of franchising the brand in other markets)

and the interesting bit

- 0.5% royalty on revenue patable to Virgin Group. Capped at 1.5 times the amount paid at end of 31 MArch 2004

So no mention of SQ blocking anything (wives tale)..... and it seems that Virgin Group have been losing out on commission due to the cap. So presumably any blocked roads over the "Virgin" name are about commission payable going forward as currently PAc Blue and V Aus would not be paying commission.

If it were true, I would still have been at least a bit surprised to see it mentioned in a prospectus.

The prospectus no doubt states the true legal position.

But SQ's clout through its part-ownership of VS would give it ample political power to persaude Virgin Enterprises to block any wider licensing of the Virgin name. You wouldn't expect that to get written up in a prospectus, would you?

All pretty interesting - the last few years when I have flown down to the Australian Open, the Umpires Information Sheet has said (something along the lines of) "Please indicate your flight preferences - note, we will use the best pricing between Qantas, Virgin Blue, Jetstar and Tiger Airways, as well as others, to get you to Melbourne as economically for Tennis Australia as possible."

This year, it says: ".........Please be aware that VirginBlue is a sponsor of Tennis Australia, accordingly flights will be booked on VirginBlue where practicable."

The last few years of umpiring, QF have been a major sponsor ot the Australian Open, and QF have got the majority of the flights as far as officials are concerned.

DJ seems to have spent some serious bucks here......

Dave

SQ blocking is not a wives tale. It was communicate to me by a mate who is quite senior management at V Australia.

As for the Australian Open, DJ realised their sponsorships weren't returning on their investment. With the tennis, and Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras they are contracting the organisations they sponsor to force sales through their attendees to DJ, such as Flight Centre's Mardi Gras packages.

I dare say SRB wants the Virgin name to continue so his group continues to receive royalties/licensing. SRB has a long history of shooting his mouth off in the media for self publicity and corporate manoeuvring.