Finger painting Air Canada

[squawk 7600]

Just saw the finger painting commercial for the second time in 20 mins....gotta say I love it! Gives me a warm fuzzy feeling inside. +1 to the marketing department. Keep it coming please. Air Canada needs to keep pumping out these type of ads. Makes potential customers feel good about their potential travel experience.

[TyrellCorp]

Thanks very much squawk 7600. So nice to hear positive comments. There's lots of good people at the company and we appreciate it.

p.s. I think it's a great commercial too.

[KAG]

I actually really like it. I like the music, and it has a high end feel to it.
Great work overall.

[yyz monkey]

The song is 'El Vuelo' by Hughes de Courson found on the 'Songs of Innocence' album.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp0gUQljwaE

[looproll]

barf

[Maxpwr]

I have to say that i like it too. A little more sophisticated than those stupid WestJet radio commercials brother!!

[CanadianEh]

I agree, it's a very good commercial.

[Jastapilot]

I don't hate it but it does nothing for me.

[E-Flyer]

That song sounds like it has drawing tastes from Asia, wondering if that's who the target of the ad is for ?

Great Commercial !

[flyincanuck]

I can think of better *things* to do with my two fingers...

[J Roc]

I had to search youtube to view this commercial...well 2 hours later (man that's an addictive site) I stumbled upon these oldies.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwmltlMiAJ4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYPG34Mw9p4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Izxg-PhY ... re=related

[invertedattitude]

It's not the worst commercial ever I have to admit.

I would guess, since I've never seen any numbers, that Air Canada is the countrys leader in international travel by passengers.

What I do wonder is why Air Canada isn't advertising a little better towards their domestic market where the tough competition is?

[mighty mouse]

They don't need to advertise domestic as the flight are full full full. Why try to sell something thats already sold.

[squawk 7600]

It's good to see Air Canada advertising in this manner, showing the forgotten "classy" side of the airline. This is what Air Canada is about, but it has been slighly overlooked the past few years because of the continuous onslaught of low cost carriers such as WestJet, Jetsgo, Canjet etc, etc. It is because of these companies that our industry is where it is today. Offering terribly low ticket prices to customer's that wouldn't necessarily purchase a ticket. The result is poorer service, less frills, and causes the "quality" carriers like Air Canada to take a huge hit. Air Canada is trying to focus on regaining it's lost domestic market that it has neglected what it does best...world class International travel. I hope Calin R sees this and comes up with a solution to real it back in.

I don't mean to bash WestJet, but seriously folks, they don't even compare to Air Canada. Two totally different operations, and I'm tired of the ignorant travelling public comparing the two. These "guests" that travel on WestJet once a year to Saskatoon should perhaps buy a ticket to Frankfurt, then they might see what real airline travel is all about.

[Jastapilot]

...continuous onslaught of low cost carriers such as WestJet, Jetsgo, Canjet etc, etc. It is because of these companies that our industry is where it is today. Offering terribly low ticket prices to customer's that wouldn't necessarily purchase a ticket.

You mean, that by offering lower ticket prices, low cost carriers have, in effect, created a market where one didn't exist before, since people who normally couldn't afford the ticket now could? I'm not seeing where this is the problem. Can you fault a company for offering better service(maybe less service, but what they offer is better) and a lower fare and still be profitable?

I don't mean to bash WestJet, but seriously folks, they don't even compare to Air Canada. Two totally different operations, and I'm tired of the ignorant travelling public comparing the two. These "guests" that travel on WestJet once a year to Saskatoon should perhaps buy a ticket to Frankfurt, then they might see what real airline travel is all about.

You're right, 2 totally different operations, absolutely, and no insult taken. But still, why blame Westjet for Air Canada's problems? Westjet is merely doing things right. They know who pays the mortgage, they know what's important. There's more to running a business than sucking people in with a loyalty program. You can only screw up a person's travel plans so many times before they won't give a damn how many points they'll lose if they don't use your business.

[squawk 7600]

Jastapilot,

I guess my post was a little contradictary. WestJet has done a great job of building an otherwise non-existing market, but the mistake people make is rating the two carriers on the same level. They are in fact not on the same level: AC is an "international" carrier, where as WestJet is more of a "Domestic" carrier. Domestic, of course, meaning Canada and the U.S. The problem with AC is they seem to be pre-occupied with WestJet's march to the top in the domestic market, and have forgotten what they are really about...overseas. But it looks like marketing is addressing this issue with the launch of more aggressive advertising and marketing strategies. I'm sure this is a direct result of Calin R. I'm sure he will do a great job, but there will be some hardships along the way. One of them I'm sure being some more "domestic" flying being thrown at the CPA which, in my opinion, is the only way AC can compete with WestJet. I'm not totally excited about that idea, but it may be the only way. This strategy may actually free up some capital to allow AC to grow it's international markets. AC does have the capability to once again be an extremely successful airline, but there needs to be some house cleaning in the upper levels. AC needs managers that actually care about running an airline, not filling their own pockets.

But what do I know, I don't have a MBA, and have never worked in a top management role.

[invertedattitude]

They don't need to advertise domestic as the flight are full full full. Why try to sell something thats already sold.

?

Take a look at the domestic market share Air Canada had in 2002, and look at it now.

[Slipstream]

...continuous onslaught of low cost carriers such as WestJet, Jetsgo, Canjet etc, etc. It is because of these companies that our industry is where it is today. Offering terribly low ticket prices to customer's that wouldn't necessarily purchase a ticket.

You mean, that by offering lower ticket prices, low cost carriers have, in effect, created a market where one didn't exist before, since people who normally couldn't afford the ticket now could? I'm not seeing where this is the problem. Can you fault a company for offering better service(maybe less service, but what they offer is better) and a lower fare and still be profitable?

I don't mean to bash WestJet, but seriously folks, they don't even compare to Air Canada. Two totally different operations, and I'm tired of the ignorant travelling public comparing the two. These "guests" that travel on WestJet once a year to Saskatoon should perhaps buy a ticket to Frankfurt, then they might see what real airline travel is all about.

Hey Jasta,

I really enjoy the Westjet commercials - will you come mow my lawn and paint my house ? The AC commercial is great - you jasta can't understand it. Things have to be simple for you - don't they ? That is why your not at AC.

You're right, 2 totally different operations, absolutely, and no insult taken. But still, why blame Westjet for Air Canada's problems? Westjet is merely doing things right. They know who pays the mortgage, they know what's important. There's more to running a business than sucking people in with a loyalty program. You can only screw up a person's travel plans so many times before they won't give a damn how many points they'll lose if they don't use your business.

[Jastapilot]

...continuous onslaught of low cost carriers such as WestJet, Jetsgo, Canjet etc, etc. It is because of these companies that our industry is where it is today. Offering terribly low ticket prices to customer's that wouldn't necessarily purchase a ticket.

You mean, that by offering lower ticket prices, low cost carriers have, in effect, created a market where one didn't exist before, since people who normally couldn't afford the ticket now could? I'm not seeing where this is the problem. Can you fault a company for offering better service(maybe less service, but what they offer is better) and a lower fare and still be profitable?

I don't mean to bash WestJet, but seriously folks, they don't even compare to Air Canada. Two totally different operations, and I'm tired of the ignorant travelling public comparing the two. These "guests" that travel on WestJet once a year to Saskatoon should perhaps buy a ticket to Frankfurt, then they might see what real airline travel is all about.

Hey Jasta,

I really enjoy the Westjet commercials - will you come mow my lawn and paint my house ? The AC commercial is great - you jasta can't understand it. Things have to be simple for you - don't they ? That is why your not at AC.

You're right, 2 totally different operations, absolutely, and no insult taken. But still, why blame Westjet for Air Canada's problems? Westjet is merely doing things right. They know who pays the mortgage, they know what's important. There's more to running a business than sucking people in with a loyalty program. You can only screw up a person's travel plans so many times before they won't give a damn how many points they'll lose if they don't use your business.

I may be a simple guy, but it takes a simpleton to not understand how the 'quote' function works. Weasel.

[complexintentions]

I think it's a great ad. It may not appeal to those who like to have their advertising explain to them in small words why they should buy company A's product, but I still have some faith that people haven't been so Walmartized that they can't appreciate a bit of subtlety.