p5 news July3 1/7/09 22:12 Page 5
ttglive.com
news
In brief
■ Trial of Cook reps postponed until February
The trial of Thomas Cook reps Richard Carson
Lastminute bids
and Nicola Gibson has been postponed until
February 4 next year. The pair face charges of
manslaughter by negligence, alongside 10 Greek
defendants, over the deaths of Christianne
Shepherd, 7, and her brother Robert, 6, of carbon
to ‘protect’ name
monoxide poisoning in Corfu in 2006. The
adjournment followed a request by three of the
defendants. Meanwhile, the Facebook group
Chris Gray.
ploy to take our cus-
started by TTG and former colleagues of Carson LASTMINUTE.COM is tomers away from us.”
and Gibson now has more than 2,000 members taking legal action Virgin refused to
and 150 messages of support. against Virgin Holidays, comment on the
claiming an early-book-
C
O
prospect of legal action.
■ Darren Panto leaves Peltours ing campaign launched
STO
VER
It said the campaign
Peltours sales and marketing director Darren by the operator this week seeks to
R
Y aimed to tackle the trend of cus-
Panto has left the company after 13 years with hijack the online agent’s trademark. tomers delaying booking holidays in
the Egypt specialist. Panto, 41, said he had not In the campaign (pictured), designed to the belief it would give them a good deal.
decided what to do next but felt it was time for a drive winter bookings, Virgin uses the slogan The campaign aimed to remind them that the
change and might set up on his own. Panto has “dontleaveituntilthelastminute.com”. This URL best choice and price were available by booking
more than 20 years’ experience in the industry, connects to the Virgin Holidays website. early, said a spokesman.
having previously worked for Longwood Holidays The campaign is due to run in print, online and Virgin Holidays marketing director Andrew
and Cosmos as well as being a rep for Intasun. on outdoor sites until July 14. Shelton said: “It’s a short campaign designed to
Lastminute claimed it was a deliberate attempt get people booking early.”
■ Aito to host 2010 conference in India to use the strength of its brand to mislead Branwell Johnson, editor of marketing
Aito is to hold its 33rd annual conference in the customers and boost sales for a rival company. website
Mad.co.uk, said Virgin’s campaign was
southern Indian city of Cochin on November It said it had told Virgin on Wednesday of part of a trend this year as companies battled for
18-22, 2010. The organisation has defended its intent to sue. A formal document claiming market share in the downturn.
the decision to host the event in a long-haul damages for trademark infringement was due to Earlier this year budget hotel chain Premier
destination, insisting the “adventurous” choice follow on Thursday. Inn ran a campaign using the slogan “Looks like
sends out a positive message to the trade. Andy Washington, lastminute travel sales di- it’s time to take a holiday from Holiday Inn”.
rector, said: “We’re flattered they tried to use our Johnson added: “The Premier Inn campaign
■ Advantage elects board members strong brand, but there is only one
lastminute.com. was not halted, but it’s a bare-knuckle world
Advantage members have elected three members “We have to protect our brand. They are right now. It can backfire and brands running the
to join the consortium’s representative board. confusing our customers and it is a deliberate ads can find themselves facing legal action.”
Ken McNab, managing director of The Travel
Company Edinburgh, won more votes than
Business Travel Direct boss and former board
member Peter Reglar to represent business
travel members. Ron Marks of Baldwins Travel
and Bryony Hordern from Tickets Anywhere join
the board to represent retail members.
■ Holiday Team to fund agents’ marketing
Flight specialist The Holiday Team is offering
independent agencies cash to help market their
businesses. The Southall Travel-owned company
says that it will give financial support to agents
“on a selective basis” to help fund advertising,
online campaigns and other initiatives to
increase sales. The scheme will be open to
agents who currently work with The Holiday
Team and also those interested in starting to
work with the company. QANTAS HOLIDAYS ACHIEVERS: Agents celebrated at London’s Tiger Tiger after winning
places on a VIP trip to Hong Kong, Australia and Tasmania. Qantas Holidays’ top 20
ttglive.com
For the latest news, reviews and comment
selling agents earlier saw Priscilla Queen of the Desert – The Musical and Clive Carter,
from the travel industry, visit
ttglive.com who plays “Bob the Mechanic”, helped dish out the prizes. See these photos at
ttglive.com
03.07.2009 05
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