Thomson and First Choice team up to reassure consumers
LONDON - Thomson and First Choice have launched a joint TV ad to reassure consumers following the collapse of the UK's third biggest holiday company XL Leisure Group.
The ad, created by Beattie McGuiness Bungay, is set in a retail shop and features representatives from First Choice and Thomson, both owned by TUI Travel.
It aims to show that the brands can offer "free and impartial advice" to travellers no matter who they have booked with.
The strapline "here to help" is designed to reflect the company's customer focused business strategy, which it said has been highlighted by the recently created board role of customer director for Tim Williamson.
The ad will air for one week on a variety of terrestrial and satellite channels during popular TV shows including 'The Bill', 'X Factor', 'My Name is Earl' and 'Celebair'.
Andrew Laurillard, head of brand strategy at TUI Travel, said: "Over the last few weeks we have helped repatriate over 11,000 people who booked with XL.
"It is vital that consumers hear from industry leaders at times such as these. With this new ad campaign, we are leading by example."
He said that part of TUI Travel's duty was to reassure people with practical advice regarding their holiday plans during this "period of uncertainty".
Comments
Nic Edwards - 26/09/2008
"WIth nearly 1 in 5 people not planning to take a holiday due to the credit crunch in the next 12 months and 1 in 3 people planning to spend less money on their next holiday, our research shows travel agents can play a major role in giving the consumer confidence that they are booking with safe companies." Source: Presky Maves Travel Survey - July 2008