Saturday, 14 December 2013

WestJet: Christmas miracle (Heart touching marketing campaign)

When I was a child I eagerly waited for Christmas because I was told that at this time of the year Santa Clause visits us when we are sleeping and gives us gifts.

Christmas season is on I can sense that all of you are cool, happy and very anxiously waiting for celebrating Christmas. If you aren’t quite in the Christmas spirit yet then maybe this viral video from Canadian low-cost carrier WestJet will help you getting it.

Canadian airline WestJet has surprised more than 250 customers on board two Calgary-bound flights with their Christmas wishes, earning worldwide praises for the company. Christmas came early for the fliers at the Toronto and Hamilton International airports, when they were surprised with Christmas gifts upon arrival at Calgary.

It started on a snowy Nov. 21, WestJet set up interactive video screens in airport departure lounges in Toronto and Hamilton, which allowed two planeloads of Calgary-bound guests to scan their boarding passes and speak to Santa. The passengers were filmed when a virtual Santa Claus was asking what they wanted for Christmas this year.

The travelers told a virtual Santa Claus their Christmas wishes. The wishes ranged from socks and underwear to a big-screen TV.


While the passengers were enjoying their relaxing flights, the WestJet staffs were busy getting the presents to the airport, wrapping them up and ensuring that each package has the name of the person who asked Santa for it.

All this involved some 150 WestJet employees who did everything from coordinating logistics at the airport to high-speed shopping and wrapping, clearing gifts through airport security and serving hot cocoa at baggage claim.



After the passengers finally touch down in Calgary we see them milling around baggage reclaim, which has been decorated to look as seasonal as possible with giant gingerbread men and even fake snow.

Then the baggage carousel starts up and rather than their luggage, the passengers are greeted with individual gift boxes containing their specially-requested Christmas gifts.



The footage of the passengers opening their presents is very touching, especially a young boy who looks super excited to receive an Android tablet and a young family get the biggest present – a big screen TV, looking slightly less impressed is the poor guy who only gets some socks and underwear.



The event was filmed in real-time, inspiring adults across the globe to once again believe in Christmas miracles. As children, many of us grew up believing in a Santa who was always watching, who could read our minds, the Santa who sees you when you’re sleeping, who knows when you’re awake. In a stealthy, slightly creepy way, WestJet, with its hidden cameras, made that fantasy real. WestJet gave those traveler’s the gift of magic.

I personally feel that it was really nice, well-thought out and well executed campaign. It brought life to the brands core values and most importantly it wasn't expensive. They have raise the level of marketing by making smart use of technology.

Thank you for visiting.


Wish you a very Happy Merry Christmas.   

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