Virgin "ATLANTIC"

[preiffer]

KNOWING that identity changes after such a long established period of brand-following are dangerous things to contemplate...


I still think it's time to drop the "Atlantic" [:0]

The "what new destination?" thread just made me think about this. I mean, really, they're a bit more than London > New York nowadays.


In hindsight, many companies wish they'd not tied themselves so heavily with geographical branding. (For example, "South West Trains" could hardly take on a franchise "up north" now, could they [:w]) I wonder if VS would ever consider having a makeover in that sense... [:?]

[Nottingham Nick]

Nah.. I'm a traditionalist, why fix what isn't broken?

I would keep Virgin Atlantic.

Qantas fly beyond Queensland and the Northern Territories. Pan-Am went worldwide.. (okay bad example - they went bust. [:I] ).

What were you thinking as an alternative - just plain 'Virgin Airways'?

Nick

I don't associate 'Atlantic' with the Atlantic Ocean or any reference to the US/Caribbean in any way...

Do you think that VS lose revenue for flights going East/South from London due to potential passengers not checking that VS cover destinations in that part of the world???

I don't honestly believe that a re-brand is neccesary. Do you have any suggestions for what you would re-brand as Paul???

[preiffer]

No idea, to be honest Nick (and Rob!). My thinking hadn't really gone further than that.

Just seems weird sat on a plane with "Atlantic" written on the side, on a flight from London to Shanghai... [:w]

I think 'Atlantic' just tells the story of where it all began..... LGW-EWR across the Atlantic Ocean. The rest is history.....

[Bazz]

I guess 90% of the flights originating or terminating in the UK fly, in part, over the bloody Ocean, so what's wrong with that?

Sorry Paul - I prefer Virgin Atlantic too!!

[y]

[preiffer]

Ah, for clarity - I don't DISlike it...

... just wondering if there's any scope for it to change in future. [:I]



Not too sure about Barry's suggestion, mind. "Virgin bloody Ocean" feels like it's missing a certain ring to it. [}:)];)

I'm sure sailor will clarify, but technically couldn't we consider the North Sea and English Channel to be part of the Atlantic? [:p]

Originally posted by preiffer
KNOWING that identity changes after such a long established period of brand-following are dangerous things to contemplate...


I still think it's time to drop the "Atlantic" [:0]

The "what new destination?" thread just made me think about this. I mean, really, they're a bit more than London > New York nowadays.


In hindsight, many companies wish they'd not tied themselves so heavily with geographical branding. (For example, "South West Trains" could hardly take on a franchise "up north" now, could they [:w]) I wonder if VS would ever consider having a makeover in that sense... [:?]

Good topic

Who remembers the days when the 'Dark Side' just had British painted on the side of their fleet ?:D

Maybe they could go for Virgin Global

[fozzyo]

Why change it? Would cost squillions, they have a combination of two very strong brands that have developed over the years - seems silly to try and improve it.

I quite like the Virgin Atlantic too!!

Originally posted by preiffer

In hindsight, many companies wish they'd not tied themselves so heavily with geographical branding. (For example, "South West Trains" could hardly take on a franchise "up north" now, could they [:w]) I wonder if VS would ever consider having a makeover in that sense... [:?]

Nowt wrong with the term 'Virgin Atlantic'. If it ain't broke don't fix it!

[Railway lecture mode]
South West Trains is a Stagecoach company. Stagecoach hold the current South Western rail franchise and have won the new South Western franchise which starts soon and trade as 'South West Trains'.

Therefore your example is incorrect because Stagecoach are free to bid for any franchise they want in any part of the UK (For example National Express currently hold the Regional Railways Central, Intercity Midland Main Line and Greater Anglia franchises and trade as Central Trains, 'one' Railway and Midland Mainline respectively)

And for the record Stagcoach own 49% of the Virgin Rail Group.
[/Railway lecture mode]

I would prefer them not to spend the money on changing the name, and spend it on new kits for uc flyers. lol

If the proposal is to drop Atlantic, why not the Virgin as well. The story behind the Virgin name was that the Beardy One was trying to break into new markets (records, planes, drink, etc) where he had no experience so that he could break all the rules and bring the customer the products that they want.

How long as Virgin Atlantic been around? Do not think that they are really virgins any more; more part of the establishment. The Virgin brand name though is worth is weight in gold in the UK and in parts of the US.

Even if the stagecoach/SW trains example is not the best, there are other examples. P&O (Pacific and Orient), British Telecom (More than just Britain, although still useles IMO), Clydesdale Bank having little to do with the Clyde and owned by an Australian bank, HSBC not just in Hong Kong or Shanghai, Scottish & Newcastle being an international brewer, etc. The real question is do the names mislead or confuse potential customers? Do customers think "Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank is not for me because I don't live in China" or "I cannot sail with P&O because I want to cross the Atlantic". Clearly not! So for me VS should only drop the Atlantic if it makes potential customers think they only fly to the US. I actually can imagine (but don't know for sure obviously) this being the case, and as such there may be some merit in dropping it. Maybe fighting this implied image is a driver in the money VS spends on saying how many destinations they serve.

I can feel a focus group coming on!

I agree the Atlantic bit is not really required but how about "Cathay Pacific" - Do they only fly the "Pacific" - no and they see no reason the change their name do they?

Originally posted by PVGSLF
I'm sure sailor will clarify, but technically couldn't we consider the North Sea and English Channel to be part of the Atlantic? [:p]

Interesting hypohtesis, but WHY? Are you basing this statement on the fact that the bodies of water are contiguous? If so, what about the Mediterranean Sea, the Irish Sea, the Bristol Channel etc etc [:w]

[Scrooge]

Northwest actually shortened their name from Northwest Orient to Northwest.

The more I think about it the more when I ask the question of which airline people have flown over on, they don't say Virgin Atlantic, they just say Virgin, but the cost to change all the signage etc would make the bean counters have heart attacks...so probably worth doing just on that count [y]

[preiffer]

...and despite keeping "Northwest" as the company name, ALL branding has gradually become "nwa" everywhere you look.

[Scrooge]

Kinda sorta ish GJ, US became US through a group of mergers and buy outs, it really wasn't the old Allegheny by the time they switched names...Remembering that off the top of my head, correct me if I am wrong.

Originally posted by sailor99
P&O (Pacific and Orient),

Isn't P&O actually Peninsular and Oriental (as in The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company)?[:?]

Originally posted by VS075

Originally posted by preiffer

In hindsight, many companies wish they'd not tied themselves so heavily with geographical branding. (For example, "South West Trains" could hardly take on a franchise "up north" now, could they [:w]) I wonder if VS would ever consider having a makeover in that sense... [:?]

Nowt wrong with the term 'Virgin Atlantic'. If it ain't broke don't fix it!

[Railway lecture mode]
South West Trains is a Stagecoach company. Stagecoach hold the current South Western rail franchise and have won the new South Western franchise which starts soon and trade as 'South West Trains'.

Therefore your example is incorrect because Stagecoach are free to bid for any franchise they want in any part of the UK (For example National Express currently hold the Regional Railways Central, Intercity Midland Main Line and Greater Anglia franchises and trade as Central Trains, 'one' Railway and Midland Mainline respectively)

And for the record Stagcoach own 49% of the Virgin Rail Group.
[/Railway lecture mode]

Well well,

I go away for a wee while and come back to find "Railway Lectures" on V-F!!

I like it. . .

John

Yawn!!!!