'Twas A Night Before Christmas.

[albatross]

http://youtu.be/zIEIvi2MuEk

[bmc]

In an era of skimping here and there, disgruntled staff, stressed airport employees dealing delays and cancelations, Westjet is a class act. I hope someday I have the opportunity spend money on your services.

[jetsetfly]

CALGARY, Dec. 9, 2013 /CNW/ - WestJet today released the airline's second annual holiday video - The WestJet Christmas Miracle - showing how WestJet and Santa teamed up to delight unsuspecting travellers with a real-time holiday surprise.

WestJet's Digital Command Centre and a team of more than 150 merry WestJetters became Santa's helpers, delivering personalized gifts to guests arriving in Calgary as part of a true holiday miracle.

"This year, we wanted to turn our holiday campaign into a tradition by doing something that's never been done before," said Richard Bartrem, WestJet Vice-President, Communications and Community Relations. "Inspired by the notion of real-time giving, we wanted to surprise our guests with meaningful, personalized gifts when they least expected them. Being able to show our guests how much we care with gift-giving, a tried and true holiday tradition, resonates with WestJetters as much as our guests."

Last year, WestJet's inaugural holiday video reached nearly 500,000 views in just weeks. Once the video reached the milestone of 25,000 views, the airline donated flights to a family in need through WestJet's community investment program. This year, WestJet Cares for Kids will continue this tradition by donating flights through Ronald McDonald House Charities, one of WestJet's six partner charities, once the video reaches 200,000 views. Canadians can help to reach this goal by sharing the WestJet Christmas Miracle video with friends and family.

Nineteen hidden cameras captured guests at Toronto and Hamilton International Airports confiding their Christmas wishes with a virtual Santa Claus while waiting to board flights to Calgary. Guests were surprised upon arrival when a festively decorated baggage carousel came to life. On this special day, it was not just their suitcases that arrived, but the gifts they had asked for merely hours before.

The WestJet Christmas Miracle video was made possible in part by WestJet's trusted partners, Best Buy Canada, Calgary International Airport Authority, Toronto Pearson International Airport and John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zIEIvi2MuEk

[Oleo 4]

Very well done team!

[CanadianEh]

Marketing genius! And the funny part is, they probably spent an equal or lesser amount of money than just doing a typical ad campaign.

[rt777]

That was fantastic! Well done WJA!

[Changes in Latitudes]

I asked Santa for an extra bag of pretzels last week on Air Canada. I was shunned in both national languages.

[3-Green]

http://youtu.be/zIEIvi2MuEk

...hope this link works, if not just youtube West Jet Christmas Miracle. Very cool of West Jet to do!

[whiteguy]

I asked Santa for an extra bag of pretzels last week on Air Canada. I was shunned in both national languages.

Yup, you've reached a new low.

[Airmanship Police]

More kool Aid plz!!

[Cessna driver]

Way too cool

[Beefitarian]

More kool Aid plz!!

Here ya go. Now you're like the guy that asked for socks instead of a big TV.

[Changes in Latitudes]

I asked Santa for an extra bag of pretzels last week on Air Canada. I was shunned in both national languages.

Yup, you've reached a new low.

Now I've been shunned by you. Can you do it in French?

[DH772]

beautiful! That's classy stuff right there!

Nothing like giving a few thousand dollars and bragging about it and taking recognition for it.

When one donates and contributes acts of kindness they don't go and take recognition for it and make videos about it. And while we're at it why don't we try contributing this act of kindness to families and children that are struggling through financial difficulties and life threatening illnesses throughout the holiday season!

Sorry WJ, it is a kind gesture but I won't be suckered into your PR tricks

that's just my 2 cents. over and out

[whiteguy]

I asked Santa for an extra bag of pretzels last week on Air Canada. I was shunned in both national languages.

Yup, you've reached a new low.

Now I've been shunned by you. Can you do it in French?

Should've pressed 2 for French.

Maybe you should've been on the AC flight that gave luggage to every passenger when they arrived in YVR. But I'm sure you wouldn't have been happy about that either and made a lost luggage joke.

Back to topic, good for you WJ, very nice gesture!

[CpnCrunch]

When one donates and contributes acts of kindness they don't go and take recognition for it and make videos about it. And while we're at it why don't we try contributing this act of kindness to families and children that are struggling through financial difficulties and life threatening illnesses throughout the holiday season!

What, you mean like this?:

http://www.westjet.com/guest/en/about/c ... aiti.shtml

or this?:

http://www.westjet.com/guest/en/about/c ... wish.shtml

or perhaps even this?:

http://www.westjet.com/guest/en/about/c ... -air.shtml

It's not all just PR tricks..

[DH772]

Yes exactly! That is what I mean when I say acts of kindness and/or donations!

You're missing my point though. I'm not playing a pissing match of who contributes what. I'm sure AC could have made 20,000 videos by now. My point focuses on the video that is more of a PR tactic then anything! (Im not here to advocate AC but you don't see them making a video showing how great they are because of the money they donate to AC foundation or a video to show how generous they are by sending a 767 to Haiti).

You don't go and seek recognition from a donation!

[Lateralus]

beautiful! That's classy stuff right there!

Nothing like giving a few thousand dollars and bragging about it and taking recognition for it.

When one donates and contributes acts of kindness they don't go and take recognition for it and make videos about it. And while we're at it why don't we try contributing this act of kindness to families and children that are struggling through financial difficulties and life threatening illnesses throughout the holiday season!

Sorry WJ, it is a kind gesture but I won't be suckered into your PR tricks

that's just my 2 cents. over and out

You must be the guy who asked only for socks.

[Changes in Latitudes]

It sure would have been fun if the guy had asked for a brand new Ferrari or decent wages for Encore pilots

[7thirtyseven]

Yes exactly! That is what I mean when I say acts of kindness and/or donations!

You're missing my point though. I'm not playing a pissing match of who contributes what. I'm sure AC could have made 20,000 videos by now. My point focuses on the video that is more of a PR tactic then anything! (Im not here to advocate AC but you don't see them making a video showing how great they are because of the money they donate to AC foundation or a video to show how generous they are by sending a 767 to Haiti).
You don't go and seek recognition from a donation!

What I saw was a bunch of WestJetters having an honest to goodness fun time, at the same time giving their "guests" a little touch of magic, on an otherwise mundane day... Mother Theresa? No, and not claimed to be... An honest spark of Goodness? Yes.

[bmc]

Yes exactly! That is what I mean when I say acts of kindness and/or donations!

You're missing my point though. I'm not playing a pissing match of who contributes what. I'm sure AC could have made 20,000 videos by now. My point focuses on the video that is more of a PR tactic then anything! (Im not here to advocate AC but you don't see them making a video showing how great they are because of the money they donate to AC foundation or a video to show how generous they are by sending a 767 to Haiti).

You don't go and seek recognition from a donation!

You don't mean like this, do you?

http://www.aircanada.com/en/about/commu ... qfIVcu9KSM

http://youtu.be/fcdL8YeZDgw

http://youtu.be/lPcjUojX9TU

http://youtu.be/Qze1K3wW0Eo

[Krimson]

Nothing like giving a few thousand dollars and bragging about it and taking recognition for it.

There are two kinds of people

[jjj]

beautiful! That's classy stuff right there!

Nothing like giving a few thousand dollars and bragging about it and taking recognition for it.

When one donates and contributes acts of kindness they don't go and take recognition for it and make videos about it. And while we're at it why don't we try contributing this act of kindness to families and children that are struggling through financial difficulties and life threatening illnesses throughout the holiday season!

Sorry WJ, it is a kind gesture but I won't be suckered into your PR tricks

that's just my 2 cents. over and out

DH772,

Yes it is marketing. The video has gone viral and you can't buy that kind of publicity. It also takes an engaged and caring group of dedicated employees to execute. As far as ideas go - it is unique - clever - from the heart - full of kindness, caring and holiday spirit. It is worthy of being called marketing genius and its worthy of recognition for an act of kindness. The people running through Best Buy weren't thinking about ROI - they were thinking about making it a great Christmas for a family.

DH772, do you get mad at the polar bear commercials from COKE every year too? It is after all a PR campaign timed with the holidays for corporate gain. Or does a bit of Christmas spirit pierce the coldness of your heart?

You need a hug.

I hope everybody does something nice for someone else this holiday. I got helped by a City employee when my truck - with its lousy tires - got stuck in the snow last week. I will pass along that favor tenfold.

Merry Christmas to all - even you DH772.

JJJ

[Troubleshot]

Normally don't like WestJet videos but I gotta say this one really spurred my Christmas spirit. I don't mind if companies toot their own horn when it comes to charity, etc...how else will I know? I am just glad big business are donating to charities, if it makes me like their airline then everyone wins ...right?

[vortac]

Jersus H Christ.. if I have one more person ram that video in my face, acting like they're the first to discover it, I'm going to have to choke myself.

Enough already with the stupid video. Wow they spent a few bucks at best buy and managed to get more publicity in 3 days than Rob Ford.