TURKISH AIRLINES (THY) has introduced its new brand communication with its fresh motto ‘Widen Your World’.
In recognition of this new initiative, Turkish Airlines unveiled a commercial video, featuring its global brand ambassadors and international sports megastars, Kobe Bryant and Lionel Messi, shot by the airline’s new ad agency, Crispin Porter + Bogusky.
The ‘Kobe vs Messi: Shootout’ commercial is a sequel to ‘Kobe vs. Messi: Legends on Board’, the first commercial in the series that became a hit across the globe and has become the most-viewed commercial in YouTube’s history.
The commercial has been broadcast across 170 countries in over 20 different languages, and it is estimated to be viewed more than 105 million times.
In the commercial, which emphasises the global network of the airline, Kobe and Messi resume their friendly rivalry by trading ‘selfies’ (photographs of self) taken in exotic locations; such as Red Square in Moscow, The Great Wall of China, the Maldives, Bangkok and Mount Kilimanjaro – all of which are Turkish Airlines destinations.
Throughout the commercial, the competitive athletes are seen at various airports consulting the airline’s information boards for their flights. In the ad’s final shot, Messi takes a ‘selfie’ in Sultanahmet Square in Istanbul – only to be photobombed by Kobe.
İn other developments, Turkish Airlines has signed a codeshare agreement with Oman Air covering services between Oman and Istanbul. The agreement was signed at Turkish Airlines headquarters today by Wayne Pearce, CEO of Oman Air, and Dr Temel Kotil PhD, president and CEO of Turkish Airlines.
The codeshare agreement allows passengers to benefit from the outstanding quality-approved products and services offered by Oman Air and Turkish Airlines’ on Istanbul to Muscat and Muscat to Istanbul routes, flights operated by Turkish Airlines.
Pearce says: “Both airlines also offer outstanding choice for our customers, with Oman Air’s growing network currently serving 43 premium destinations across the Middle East, Europe, Asia and Africa, and Turkish Airlines flying to more global destinations than any other carrier. The codeshare agreement we have signed will offer customers of both airlines even greater convenience and is the latest step in the increasingly close links between Oman Air and Turkish Airlines, both of whom share a commitment to delivering excellence in customer service.”
THY also has signed up for five additional GE90-115B-powered Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.
It has also signed a15-year OnPoint solution agreement for the maintenance, repair and overhaul of its new GE90-115B engines on 20-Boeing 777-300ER fleet and extended an existing OnPoint solution agreement by five additional years for its GE90-115B engines that power 12 Boeing 777 aircraft. The GE90-115B engine is part of GE’s “ecomagination” product portfolio, as part of its commitment to implement innovative, cost-effective technologies that enhance the customers’ environmental and operating performance.
The total engine list price and OnPoint solution agreement are valued at more than $2 billion.
With a fleet of more than 200 aircraft, THY operates routes to the Americas, Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa. The airline has the youngest fleet in Europe and will further reduce the age of its fleet with upcoming aircraft orders while continuously upgrading service quality. In 2012, THY carried about 39 million passengers and was named the 2013 Best Airline in Europe by Skytrax.