Volkswagen’s UP Newspaper app

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Aug 25, 2013

Volkswagen (VW), the Premier German car company, has a legacy not only of producing exemplary automobiles, but awarding its viewers with advertisements that are epitome of creativity and innovation.

Yet again, the company played its strongest card and got us awestruck by developing an engaging newspaper application to promote the features of its new car ‘Up’.

Using the conventional newspaper gutter space to go the ‘unconventional’ way, the company used the QR code technology to let the users virtually drive on the spaces between the newspaper content.

The way to access this interesting application is quite simple. When users scan the QR code, they are directed to the Volkswagen ‘Up’ App. They are then, given a chance to choose their favorite color for their ‘Up’ from black, white and red; and off they go, exploring the contours which they would never have imagined to.

On every turn or hurdle, the application highlights what features of ‘Up’ can facilitate you. After you have enjoyed the ride, the app offers you to share your experience on Facebook and Twitter, so that even your peers get a chance to experience this fusion of a traditional medium with modern flavor.

This is not the first time that VW has come up with a breath taking advertising campaign. The company always mesmerized the audiences with promotions that stand out from the crowd.

The trend dates back to 1959 when their ‘Think Small’ campaign blew away the audiences, winning the No.1 Campaign in the Advertising Age’s ‘Century of Advertising’ in 1999. The most popular variant of the Think Small advertisement featured a bare background, with only the VW Beetle in view, to channel the readers focus to the vehicle immediately.

This was followed by the all-time favorite ‘Lemon’ campaign, which persuaded the entire America to use the word lemon for poor quality cars.The tag line “We pluck the lemons, you get the plums” spread like fire among the automobile lovers. From rendering Frank Sinatra’s ‘My Way’ in its latest ad to promoting the its fuel-saving Start/Stop technology as a boon to future generations, VW has paved its own way in the hearts of the masses.

Volkswagen hits a bull’s eye through this ad by amalgamating out of the box thinking with origins of print media. Keeping the ‘honest’ and ‘original’ image of the company in view, the company surely knows how to strike a chord, resonating its vision with finesse.

The application has an extremely rejuvenating and unique feel to it. Once you play the game, you definitely go for it the second time.

India to be in the top 5 coke drinking countries in 7 years

By

Web Desk

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Aug 25, 2013

Coca-cola has strengthened its roots in India with its 5 billion dollar investment plan till the year 2020. The Atlanta based beverage firm is no more an ‘outsider’ in fact Coca-cola sees India as its top 5 markets in the next seven years.

Coca-Cola International President Ahmet C. Bozer in a press conference announced,

“There is no slowdown in the execution of our investment plans in India. We don’t look at one year. Government is doing what it can to come out of the situation and we are confident that India will come out of it,”

He further added, “Our investments in India are on track as we build scale, manufacturing capacity, distribution capability, and a robust product portfolio to realize our business goals in India.”

Mr. Bozer also said that if they continued to focus on doing the right things, India could emerge as a top five market for the Coca-Cola Company by 2020.

The relationship of Coke and India dates back from 1993 to the present day. This 20 year venture has grown into a lucrative one ever since its inception.

20 years of experience has given Coca-cola a platform to understand what India is all about. It has thus blended itself in the ‘colors of India’ and has made a special place for itself in the hearts of the people.

The journey has not been all sunshine and rainbows for either of these stakeholders.

Coca-cola faced serious lawsuits in 2006 for exploiting India’s water for its extensive use leaving the farmers deprived. This action caused Coca Cola a great deal of opposition but they were quick to redeem their image.

The growing trend of tea, and other local beverages also pose a competition to Coca-cola but they seem confident enough to tackle all these hurdles with their unique marketing techniques.

Coca Cola India also opened a new bottling plant at Greater Noida on August 22nd, 2013.

With this addition, the company now operates with 57 plants out of which 22 are franchise while 23 are owned by coca cola and 12 are on contractual terms.

India is currently the 7th largest market for Coca Cola.

The Cellular Network Explosion

By

Web Desk

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Aug 24, 2013

It is amazing, it is mind boggling and it is for all my money real. The cellular explosion has really hit Pakistan!

What has caused the explosion is what I wish to address? It is only academic to view the new user base in terms of geographical location i.e. Provincial, Urban/Rural etc. Perhaps it could be more useful in reviewing users from the perspective of Primary & Secondary user type.

A simple definition of a primary user is someone, who can afford a regular cell phone expense and is dependent on it to bring work efficiency. Secondary user needs can be classified as a luxury, where both these factors are not necessarily in play.

However, the definition of Primary and Secondary users keeps evolving over a period of time. We have already seen this change in Pakistan, where in the initial stages, cell phone users were only the elite and high end consumers.

Over the passage of time, trends trickled down to various multiple user types. Simply put, new trends and living standards automatically bring new habits and usages. For instance, those customers who have started to use online air travel bookings have started to appreciate how uncomplicated it is.

Similarly, increasing supply also automatically generates momentum for new users. Less than a few years back when only two GSM players existed, prepaid connections were being rationed. We are also aware of Lathi charge on queues of people at Ufone distributors, getting free connections.

There are many more reasons bringing about the change such as tariff reductions, convenience, low teledensity of land lines, status consciousness, greater affordability etc.

In my opinion, the real growth in an industry is hugely dependent on the conversion of non-users to users. In our country, with a population of over 193 million people the present phone subscriber is 125 million (64%).

Mathematically speaking there is still a base of 36% population that does not have a cell phone.

I am sure realistically estimated the genuine target of cell phone users are much less than the mathematical number, owing to affordability, very young Pakistani population, Urban/Rural population divides, Male/Female user base differences etc. Even if we apply all these factors to reduce the potential of target customers, I am sure realistically speaking the number would be greater than the existing user base.

The million dollar question here is that in a state of geometric progression, currently being witnessed in the telecom sector in Pakistan, what are the factors that define the leading brands that can retain their top positions?

In other words, how much of a difference does marketing create in establishing leadership for a brand, once the industry reaches a saturation point?

The fact of the matter is that, the real test of a brand is seen when there are very few new customers and survival is dependent on how a brand manages to eat up the share of its competitors.

However, we must bear in mind that this, normally, does not happen overnight and there is a definitive process behind successful brands. This brings us to the most important part of the discussion, which is the importance of Marketing, with specific emphasis to Advertising, in terms of how this can create an impetus for the growth of the industry and brands?

Let’s leave the discussion of Leading Telcos and their Market Share for our research based review availabe in a few days. Till then, ponder debate and relate.

Cloning Lennon

By

Sami Iqbal

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Aug 24, 2013

John Winston Lennon was a famous English musician, songwriter, singer, activist and producer. Lennon transcended to unimaginable fame as the founder of Beatles, the most critically acclaimed music band to have ever earned such a massive commercial success of its time. Lennon was murdered on December 8th, 1980 by David Champan.

This history lesson is important to reassert the significance and character of the man in subject.

An event that took place two years ago, when Micheal Zuk a Canadian dentist bought lennon’s tooth in an auction for US$30,000, made headlines. An honest fan’s appreciation is deemed priceless; Zuk on the other proved himself to be more of a publicity seeker.

Zuk publicized recently in a press release that he has given the willing US scientists Lennon’s tooth for “Genetic Code Sequencing”, which can be used to make Lennon’s clone. The willing US researchers have shown keen interest in attempting to extract cultures of DNA from the tooth.

Is human cloning even possible? BBC reported in May that scientists have successfully cloned human embryonic stem cells, which can make new heart muscles, bones, brain tissue and all other type of cell in the body. In a nutshell, human cloning is not only quite possible it has also been publically declared.

Therefore, it would not be possible to dismiss Zuk’s seemingly foolish effort of donating a tooth to scientist. The question now is reduced to, should we? Of course there are direct answers to this question, answers we all have been hearing since the first clone of ‘Dolly’ the sheep in 1996. But for once stepping out of religious, ethical or even social realms, answer just for the sake of science and growth of human intellect, should we not clone a human if we can?

As uninteresting as it might seem, the answer to the question even outside these realms would stay the same. No we should not clone human beings. The reason, for a change, is neither religious nor moral but logical.

Take Lennon’s example for one. ‘John Lennon’ is not a result of a genetic sequence, or a particular cell structure, Lennon is a result of a human being’s experiences.

To explain the notion, imagine if scientist accomplish cloning a human being – fast forwarding past the entire medical, social, religious and legal havoc it would create – Lennon per say, the world would not have replicated the great English musician, rather it would have given birth to the world’s most scrutinized human child.

Lennon deserted by his parents went through a dreadful childhood. He tolerated his aunt’s severity, listened to The Goon Show, failed his O level examinations and then thrown out of college. All of these events shape Lennon, like any of us. Our experiences make us who we are; In essence, the genetic code is a function of a human soul and not the other way round.

Lennon, the lover of nature he truly was, would have never allowed such experiment to be conducted in his name. Let alone his reaction on being a part of the world that strayed so widely from his ‘Imagination’.

In the end, as they say “An act is only complete when the artist knows when to get off the stage”. The course of nature keeps ‘death’ or ‘end’ just as important as the birth or beginning. It concludes absolution and conclusion requires there to be an end.

Veet’s Celebration of Beauty 2013

By

Ghazala Sulaiman

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Aug 24, 2013

After successfully cashing on Katrina Kaif’s beauty as a brand ambasador, Veet is all geared up to honor beauty and fashion, through their much anticipated event “Veet Celebration of beauty” to be held today at Expo Centre Karachi.

Renowned superstars, socialites, fashion designers and celebrated media personalities will grace the auspicious occasion. The event will be covered and shown by ARY Network.

The event has been designed to provide the ultimate entertainment and glamour, with an all-in-one package of beauty awards, a fashion show and variety of musical performances.

The platform will be utilized by fashion designers to endorse their new designs and collections. A star studded musical night is being set up, featuring popular artists from the music industry.

The segment to value beauty incorporates numerous awards for famous media personalities. The categories and nominees have already been announced.

The awards categories include best Awards for: Miss Elegance, Miss Catwalk, Miss Photogenic, Most Beautiful Skin, Most Beautiful Smile, Best Posture, Most Promising Model and The Beauty of the Year.

Voting has been opened for fans to choose their favorite stars for “Most Beauitful Smile” and “Best Elegance” through Veet’s Facebook Fan Page. The rest of the winners will be decided by a panel of jury consisting of beauty and fashion experts.

Nominations for the categories are:

Most Beautiful Smile

Mehwish Hayat, Humaima Malick, Mahira Khan, Mehreen Raheal, Syra Yousuf

Most Beautiful Skin

Ayyan, Ayesha Linnea, Mahnoor Baloch, Rabia Butt, Juggun Kazim

Best Posture

Nadia Ali, Amna Ilyas, Rubab, Fayezah Ansari and Cybil Chowdhry

Best Elegance

Iman Ali, Aaminah Haq, Mahnoor Baloch, Sonia Jehan, Reema

Miss Photogenic

Aamina Sheikh, Ayyan, Amna Ilyas, Saima Azhar, Nooray Bhatti

Most Promising Model of the Year

Saima Azhar, Sehrish, Sana Sarfaraz, Sana Khan, Huma

Beauty of the Year

Ayyan, Ayesha Linnea, Mahira Khan, Humaima Malick, Mehvish Hayat

Miss Catwalk

Mehreen Syed, Fouzia Aman, Amna Ilyas, Iraj Manzoor, Fayezah Ansari

Effective promotion is being done on the brand’s social media page as well, showing glimpses of the venue and conducting online competition with free tickets as rewards.

This year only, Veet launched the first ever model hunt in Pakistan, promoting model talent in aspiring youngsters. The show became an eventual hit and was aired on many popular TV channels.

It is evident that the brand is undertaking a number of initiatives for setting a trend for such novel events, encouraging glamour and professionalism in the fashion and entertainment industry.

So far, Veet’s efforts have turned out to be victorious and successful and earned a lot of admiration for the brand.

Embed Anything Anywhere with Facebook

By

Sami Iqbal

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Aug 24, 2013

Facebook officially added the feature of ‘Embedded Posts’ for all its users. A concept not so new for Twitter or Instagram users, “Embedded Posts” are a way to put public posts – by a Page or a person on Facebook – into the content of your web site or web page.

According to Facebook Developers, “The embedded post will show any media attached to it, as well as the number of likes, shares, and comments that the post has.”

“Embedding posts will let people, using your web site, see the same rich information that is shown on Facebook.com, and they will be able to follow or like content authors or Pages directly from the embed,” the Developers further said.

Facebook is rumored to have been trying to keep up with changing times, after an independent research, by comScore in July, showed a decrease in Facebook visits.

Till now, reposting something on Facebook required copying the text or taking a screenshot but with this feature Facebook users will share the same luxury Twitter and Instagram users have always enjoyed.

The feature will also benefit celebrities, sportsperson, spokesmen and other news makers in updating their followers, as Facebook does not restrict its users to 140 or 160 characters.

Whatever the reason may have been, inclusion of a widely accepted feature makes Facebook both reachable and up-to-date.

Getting people to interact directly with a post would benefit Facebook for obvious reasons, but it will also benefit users especially media and Public Relations (PR) agencies.

Main Hoon Shahid Afridi: The First Innings

By

Sami Iqbal

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Aug 23, 2013

Syed Ali Raza’s US$ One billion ‘Main Hoon Shahid Afridi’ (MHSA) had the entire Pakistani audience hooked even before it was released due to its name. Add the ‘Afridi element’ to a two hour and ten minutes Lollywood movie you will surely seize the ever-diverting attention of the audience.

Humayun Saeed together with Shehzad Nasib, who is part of Six Sigma International Films, banked on this very popularity and the ‘unifying’ factor of cricket.

The movie is Pakistan’s first sports-based film and promises to unravel, one of the country’s most prized players, Shahid Afridi’s story. The fact that few days before the release of the movie, Afridi disowned the project, due to ‘inappropriate’ (according to the star) performance and wardrobe of Mahnoor Baloch and Mathira, had little impact on interest of the audience, which had already peaked.

Apart from the title, the movie had lots more to offer. From brilliant acting by the star-studded cast to those humorous punch lines – thanks to the writer Vasay Chaudhry – to an ‘item number’, it had everything a commercial movie should have.

The cast included seasoned actors like Nadeem Baig, Javed Sheikh, Humayun Saeed, Mahnoor Baloch, Noman Habib, Shahzad Sheikh, Ismail Tara, Shafqat Cheema and new comers such as Humza Ali Abbasi, Gohar Rasheed and Ainy Jaffri.

While the young actors stole the show, critics felt that the elder lot was under-utilized by the director.

The movie premiered at Atrium Mall on Wednesday, August 21, 2013, where the star cast of MHSA and celebrities from both cricket and media fraternity, such as Sikander Bakht, Hira and Mani, came to support the film.

The red carpet was organized by Syntax Communications while ARY films and Mandviwalla Entertainment hosted the red carpet.

People who presumed it to be a biopic of Shahid Afridi might get a little disappointed by seeing the movie revolve around a fan of the start and not the star himself.

MHSA is based on the life of a boy named Noman Habib (Shahid Bhatti), from Sialkot, who dreams to become a cricket sensation like Shahid Afridi but faces many hindrances on his way. However, Shahid Bhatti, the protagonist of the movie, rises to the challenges and looks to fulfill his dream despite all odds.

Brilliant acting and performances can be seen by Shafqat Cheema, playing the drunken father of his dreamer son Shahid Bhatti as Bhatti sahab, denying all bonds with his family and the memorable performance of Ismail Tara as Chotay malik Sahab adds just the right dosage of humor and comedy.

However, Humayun Saeed, the producer of the film and the star-attraction of the movie, seemed to earn low points on the performance graph. Despite playing a powerful character of Akber Deen, a disgraced captain (rings bells for Shahrukh Khan starrer Chak De India) who later trains Bhatti to become a star, his execution of dialogues and non-verbal language didn’t quite sync with the character as required.

The rural Sialkot has been aptly re-created in the movie, depicting the supportive environment in the city which is known for producing quality sports goods and sportsmen.

The central idea of the movie is that it is all about hard work, an ambitious outlook towards your goal and motivation that enables you to succeed in your current and future endeavors. The movie, besides promoting this message, also delivered quality entertainment to the audience and kept them engaged through the one hour and thirty minutes.

Main Hoon Shahid Afridi also showed some bold scenes starring Mahnoor Baloch in daring attire, which spiced things up, and the very ‘popular’ (for reasons well-known) VJ Mathira.

Although, people find Mahnoor Baloch’s ‘evergreen beauty’ (literally) a bit disturbing but she is certainly has the capability to mesmerize the audience on a large screen.

Another most important feature of the film was the brand placements. Brands such as HBL, Pepsi, Shaheen Air and others were quite visible throughout the movie, taking product placement to another level.

All in all, it was a movie worth watching and it certainly had elements to interest the masses. However, if we talk about technicalities then it certainly lacked the finesse present in the A-grade Hollywood and Bollywood movies.

But as Pakistanis we should support ‘Main Hoon Shahid Afridi’ and anticipate it to become an initiative which attracts movie makers towards the industry.

Breaking Advertising Myths

By

Web Desk

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Aug 23, 2013

As e-commerce matures, it opens a door for smart marketing based on some fundamental laws of common sense, which should address bringing out honest and clean messages to ease the pain of the customers.

Smart messages with powerful names will grow in time, and don’t require permanent, expensive fireworks support to attract customers.

There are three common myths about corporate image and identity: Big money will buy you a big image, customers are just sheep, and constant bombardment will bring constant sales.

Corporate image and identity or name form the backbone of any business. Without them there will be no growth, no IPOs, no M&As. It is critical to understand how to play this game, blindfolded or with clear vision.

Let’s explore some of this mythology.

Blowing on an Image

Traditionally, the branding advice suggested that a big branding budget coupled with a big blowout fireworks will ensure a great corporate image and identity. Sure, it worked in the 1960s or 1980s, but not in the “years of the zeros” during 2000 to 2005 and beyond.

There has been a serious meltdown and erosion in this thinking.

Today, big spending cannot guarantee a big image.

The real truth often travels much faster than the sugar-coated image.

Money helps to get some of the things in motion. However, “the bigger the amount, the bigger the image” is a thing of the past.

Today, right money with right image and corporate performance will bring out a great corporate identity.

Take a look at Google; it had no advertising agency, and simply relied on shoestring marketing with smart messaging and record-breaking performance. Now it is the top brand in e-commerce, all without spending any big bucks on branding.

There are thousands of corporations exploring such strategies, while hundreds of others with thousands of dollars a day in branding budgets are still scratching their heads and going nowhere. Branding costs are there to help, but the idea that unlimited budgets will give you unlimited growth is just a myth.

Are Customers Really Sheep?

Big advertising agencies believe that consumers are large herds of sheep and will follow to any creative exploitation, and for that reason, they encourage wild and bizarre campaigns.

Perhaps it was true in the past, as until recently, customers simply followed the wind and worshiped the sun; anything shining was good enough to follow. Not today. Now they are very clever and overly exposed — stalking for the best deals, ignoring the lure while frustrated by the crazy blast.

All customers want is simple name recognition as a calling device, something to remember and something easy to type. The rest of the fanfare is lost in the multi-media jungle.

Today, the key is marketing one-to-one, delivered with some clarity and respect. Today, success through wild branding fanfare to the masses, as if they were all sheep, is just a myth.

Bombardment of Messages

How much bombardment of the message is required until the masses have succumbed? How often should a name be repeated in a commercial before they can recall a name, and how often should they be jolted with shock before they are all mesmerized?

Hypnotized or dazed the customers might be. However, often for other reasons, like the daily grind of life,
they are not buying the old beaten up mantra of repetitiveness. The more you repeat the dysfunctionality of a message, the more they shut out.

A simple, clean message is more than enough.

A clean corporate identity message with a sharp name designed to simulate their needs rather than make fun of their intelligence is what’s required.

The old concept of “thousands of repeated ads will get thousands of orders” might have worked in the past, but not today. The radio age or the TV age was responsible for this thinking, but not now, as in this cyber age it is a one-to-one format.

Just think of it in this way, if you repeatedly make same request again and agian, ignoring the listener’s feedback then he/she will probably slap you. A brand does not want the consumer to slap their messages.

Global cyber-branding demands the application of proper rules.

Smart messages with powerful names will grow in time, and do not require permanent, expensive fireworks support to attract customers. Today, corporate identity requires a serious re-evaluation and, most importantly, it must be done in light of all this mythology.

Marketing of a corporate image or building of a major brand is very easy yet it is an ultra sophisticated expertise. Like any other complex manufacturing process which simply can’t be left to amateurs, the same applies to building a global image.

So far the methods applied have done very poorly and the results are very obvious. A serious and a fresh review of all corporate image issues is now a pre-requisite to all regional and global expansions.

What do you think of these messages? Do they help in retain, recall or repurchase of their brand?

KLM facilitates its employees with iPads

By

Naqi Zafar

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Aug 23, 2013

26^th June 2013 – KLM is reported to confirm that it will supply iPads to 5000 pilots, senior pursers and pursers in order to assist them in their onboard activities.

An airline known for the true Dutch spirit of entrepreneurship and pragmatism, KLM piloted this initiative in 2011, which revealed that it improved the customer service extensively.

“The iPad enables staff to offer passengers even more personal service and can, for instance, be used to update them more quickly on last-minute operational changes”. Peter Hartman, President-Director KLM, commented on the improvement in customer service through ipads.

The iPads made the decision making of the crew quicker and more efficient, thereby adding value to their operations.

KLM prospects to issue iPads to all sernior pursers and senior cabin attendants by autumn this year.

KLM comes up with a 3D Aviation Empire game

By

Sami Iqbal

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Aug 23, 2013

June 27^th 2013 -KLM provides its fans with an opportunity to manage an airline system in the virtual world with the launch of a 3D game named Aviation Empire on June 27^th 2013.

The airline introduced the game with a promise that it would serve as a true strategic experience rather than just a promotional game for KLM.

The game incorporates GPS, which makies he experience of the game seem extremely real.

From personalizing fleets to unlocking airports, the game awards users with a chance to deal with breathtaking challenges. The users can even share their achievements and customize their Facebook profiles via badges.

The game can be accessed from the official website of KLM.

Such innovations by KLM would definitely enable it to expand its customer base.

KLM refuses to board a Filipino activist

By

Web Desk

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Aug 23, 2013

July 23^rd 2013 – An 18year old native Filipino activist was not allowed to board a flight of Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij(KLM) to Rio Di Janeiro on pretext that she did not have ‘proper’ documentation, despite having complete documents supporting her trip to Brazil.

The complaint was lodged by Arjean Marie Belco of Bukidnon’s Talaandig tribe on social media via a letter from Goodxorg, the sponsor of her Brazil trip.

She represented herself as a Youth Delegate of Philippines, who wished to travel to Rio to participate in World Health Day, an international Catholic event to be held from July 23 to 28.

She reported that she was allowed to immigrate through Malaysia, but was stopped by KLM’s employee Mr. Shawa on Kuala Lumpur airport, claiming that “she was not ready to travel” and “he was doubtful of her trip”.

Goodxorg claims that the airline employee had a very non serious attitude when listening to their side and responded by saying that he could do nothing.

This seems to be a serious notification to KLM airlines, which claims itself as an airline having exceptional customer service.

PIA awards rules violation with appointment as a DGM

By

Naqi Zafar

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Aug 23, 2013

15^th August 2013-PIA has recently promoted an officer to the post of Deputy General Manager, who was serving as Manager Stores at Lahore airport, despite his alleged involvement in procurement of central stock – contractual items worth Rs. 60 million.

The procurement step is a sheer violation of PPRA rules.

It is reported that Hassan Qureshi, the alleged person, had enough influence to escape the inquiry and gain position in the overseas bureau department on deputation.

PIA formed an inquiry team to investigate the violation , conducting detailed quality control inspections along with local receipts and IR purchases at Lahore airport. They figured out that there were no structured criteria for inspection existing for internal purchases.

When the spokesperson of PIA was interrogated about the issue, he refused to comment on this situation.

Such steps would stimulate the deterioration of an airline’s brand image which is already facing financial issues.

Emirates takes the ‘Google’ way for booking tickets

By

Web Desk

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Aug 23, 2013

August 7^th 2013 – Emirates recently proposed that it will issue ‘Google Now cards’ , a digital personal assistant, for passengers who book their tickets online.

Fully integrated with iOS and android, Google Now provides seamless ticket booking along with reminders of upcoming flights, easy searching of information and frequent updates.

The style of information provision is very user friendly, making Google Now a personal assistant for their travel information.

“Emirates prides itself on our constant innovation and working with technology partners that will enhance our passengers’ experience “,Patrick Brannelly, Vice President Product, Publishing, digital and events announced the move to this app.

Emirates claims to be the first airline in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region that has come up with technology.

In order to access this app, the passengers have to download the compatible version of the app for their smart phone and have a Gmail account.

Emirates includes Sialkot as its 5th route

By

Web Desk

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Aug 23, 2013

August 13^th 2013 – Emirates, one of the leading airlines of the world, is thinking to start offering its services on the Sialkot route from November 5^th 2013.

“With the addition of this fifth destination the airline will operate 63 flights a week between Dubai and Pakistan” ,Barry Brown, Emirates divisional SVP Commercial Operations East, said.

The airline has chosen Airbus A330- 200 aircrafts from its extensive fleet for the route, offering seats in both economy and business class.

Along with facilitating the travelers from Sialkot, the Airbus has a cargo carrying facility up to 17 tons, which marks a golden opportunity for traders of the city known for producing high quality sports and surgical goods.

Such inclusions can not onlyn open economic opportunities for the country, but also provide a channel for the locals to connect with their loved ones abroad.

Qatar Airways Attracts FC Barcelona Fans on Facebook

By

Web Desk

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Aug 23, 2013

August 4^th 2013 -Qatar Airways Facebook contest for its FC Barcelona fans has been a huge hit since its launch.

The airline launched the contest for its fans on Facebook to promote the team’s visit to Bangkok, Thailand and Kuala Lumpur.

Qatar Airways has recently partnered with FC Barcelona as its main sponsor and the contest is part of the chain promotions. The contest took place from 1^st to 31^st July and achieved QA hundreds of new fans.

The fortunate winners of the contest will get the life time opportunity of a private autograph session with the players, along with a business class flight, tickets to a match in Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur and a stay at Shangri-La hotels, Bangkok.

Fans can also express their love for football on Facebook and Twitter by customizing their profiles with a badge of FC Barcelona.

Qatar Airways offers a chance of a lifetime for football fans

By

Naqi Zafar

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Aug 23, 2013

August 12^th 2013 -Qatar Airways Holidays, a division of Qatar Airways, offers FC Barcelona fans an outstanding holiday package.

The package has a ticket to watch the FC Barcelona match at the popular Camp Nou stadium, along with a flight to Barcelona and accommodation.

Fans even have the golden opportunity to choose their own seats at the stadium, and if they come in a group, they even can avail the VIP seats or VIP box in the stadium.

According to Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker, this package has been exclusively designed for FCB fans to experience the spirit of the capital of their football club.

Interested fans can long on to www.qatarairwaysholidays.com for more information on this package along with various other exciting packages.

British Airways resents Passengers with 2 Emergency Landings

By

Web Desk

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Aug 23, 2013

August 9^th 2013 -British Airways(BA) disdained its loyal passengers through two consecutive emergency landings.

Boeing 747, one of the oldest fleet members, had to turn back on Wednesday 7^th August 2013 to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia due to some issue with the wing flaps.

The problems started occurring around 30 minutes after the flight was in the air.

When the same flight took off on Thursday 8^th August 2013 after complete repair, the problem reappeared around 20 minutes after the take- off and the flight had to be return.The passengers were infuriated with this ‘carelessness’.

Sean Casey, one of the passengers reported that the paramedics were called to treat some passengers after the second emergency landing. Mr Casey expressed his discontentment saying “I feel BA put 300 lives at risk by putting us on the same plane 24 hours after trying to fix a fault”.

British Airways is known for its safety and compliance. Such steps definitely can deteriorate the airlines image. However, the airline promised that it would never operate a flight from now on, unti it is sure that the aircraft is safe.

British Airways joins hands to lessen noise at Heathrow

By

Web Desk

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Aug 23, 2013

August 14^th 2013- British Airways, along with HACAAN, National Air Traffic Service (NAT) and Heathrow Airport, participated in a trial that successfully reduced the noise issue at Heathrow.

Heathrow airport is classified as one of the world’s busiest airports. Almost 10,000 people live under the flight paths to the terminal and hence, suffer from the noise of the aircrafts on the daily basis.

Around 17 aircrafts land at Heathrow every morning between 4: 30 to 6:00 am. By changing the routes of early morning flights at Heathrow, people now experience decreased levels of noise, Enabling them to sleep comfortably,

Legal experts still doubt if this attempt would sustain in the long term, as the 3^rd runway at Heathrow is expected to be accomplished not earlier than 2025.

Another short term solution proposed is running the current two runways on mixed mode operations i.e. both runways should be used for take-off and landing.

However, this would increase the noise level for 20 hours a day, much greater than the current experienced noise level.

”This is the first time we have worked with the aviation industry in this way. Although the trial had some problems which would need to be addressed in any future experiments, to bring relief to 100,000 people is a considerable achievement” ,head of HACAAN commended the efforts of the parties involved in the initiative.

With this step, British Airways continues its expedition of service with commitment.

British Airways celebrates Indian Independence Day

By

Web Desk

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Aug 23, 2013

August 14^th, 2013 – British Airways offered a 15 percent discount on all the flights from India to London and North America on the account of India’s 67^th Independence Day.

Mr. Christopher Fordyce, South Asian Commercial Manager British Airways announced this offer by highlighting the airline’s historical connection with India.

“This year marks our 84th year of flying to India and we are proud to be sharing such a long legacy with this great country”, he said.

Interested passengers were able to book their tickets from August 15to 18^th 2013 for travelling outbound from September 1 to December 20 2013. The offer is exclusively on first and world club cabins. The airline also partners with American airlines to offer facilitation of airlines’ Terminal 5, a seamless connection to over 200 destinations, for the passengers travelling via London – Heathrow.

British Airways represents itself as an airline that promotes heritage and cultural diversity. Therefore, along with the offer, it also showcased some nostalgic pictures of airlines’ first flight to the Indian capital, with crew women dressed in the traditional Indian saris..

Keeping this step of British Airways in view, Cathay Pacific along with SpiceJet came up with various discount packages for the their customers.

‘Related Headline’: Twitter embeds new feature

By

Sami Iqbal

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Aug 23, 2013

In recent developments, Twitter announced a new feature named as ‘Related headlines’. According to this feature, any news article which embeds tweets will automatically get linked to the original tweet and the embedded article will be shown under the heading of ‘Related headlines’, just below the tweet.

Twitter hand-picked their initial preference of publishers whose articles would be linked to the original tweets.

In their official statement, Twitter quoted an example of Jason Collin, a famous American NBA player. Recently, Collin got emotional and thanked his fans on Twitter. His ‘philosophical’ tweet gained much hype and many news agencies wrote about it.

The article and news that covered Collins’ story were then linked to his original Tweet automatically. The related headlines included articles from FOX, ESPN and even Mashable.

The implications of this feature can be termed dicey.

When the feature was announced, Twitter faced mixed reactions from the users. People did not seem pleased with the notion instantly. Twitter officials however assured that they will allow only certain approved News and/or articles to be embedded on the permalink page.

For now, as the misinterpretations are being officially cleared up, the feature can be foreseen as permanent member of Twitter persona.