$8m British Airways campaign to touch down in Australia
Ad agencies can expect to vie for a slice of work on a global ad campaign – its biggest for five years – for British Airways when it touches down in Australia.
The carrier launched the GBP5m (AUS$8m) campaign today to showcase its heritage with the line ‘To Fly. To Serve.”
When the campaign will run in Australia is not yet clear.
Local PR activity is handled by Fleishman Hillard, which took over the account from the Red Agency 18 months ago.
BA has steered clear from above-the-line advertising locally in recent years, opting for a partnership approach with the likes of tourism agency Visit Britain.
http://youtu.be/A4jrkr431Og
British Airways was among the founding clients of M&C Saatchi when it opened for business in Australia 16 years ago. In the UK, M&C Saatchi lost the BA business to Bartle Bogle Hegarty in 2005.
Its not selling anything? Waste of 90 seconds
Feels like the VO is aiming for ‘moving’ but only makes it to a bit too worthy. Saying less would have made the ad say more, IMHO.
Battling wind and stars…and forced, indulgent, overwriting…ness.
I love British Airways. The imagery reminds me of my childhood. I like it. However, I do not think it will work in markets such as Australia where the brand equity and heritage is low.
I think its a pretty emotive ad. Commercial Aviation was one the dream of many not so long ago and BA was a pioneer. The ad sells the dream of flight and i think they’ve done a pretty good job…
How do you “battle stars”? Galactica?
Applaud the production values but in typical BA form it seemed more like a staff induction video than a TV advert. Is there really that strong an argument to be made with regards to appealing to a passenger’s sense of history and occasion?
I actually liked it.
I almost shed a tear too, however that was at the sight of Concorde lighting it’s afterburners & the thought the the OH&S Nazis will never let it fly again 🙁