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Tag: Etihad Airways

  • Ameer Ismail signs off after 28 years at Lintas Live: PR titan to chase new-age dreams

    Ameer Ismail signs off after 28 years at Lintas Live: PR titan to chase new-age dreams

    MUMBAI – After nearly three decades of steering one of India’s most respected PR engines, president of Lintas Live, Ameer Ismail, has officially called time on his storied stint at MullenLowe Lintas group.

    Ismail, a name long synonymous with the rise and reinvention of Lintas Live (formerly LinOpinion), is stepping down to pursue “new opportunities” in the ever-evolving world of communications, hinting at an AI-infused future that has him excited and energised.

    “I’ve had a dream run,” said Ismail. “The future of PR is exhilarating—AI is opening up an entirely new canvas. My next move will build on the deep experience I’ve gathered across disciplines.”

    Joining Lintas in 1996, Ismail became one of India’s longest-serving PR heads. Over the years, he transformed the agency from a traditional public relations outfit into a digital-first, integrated comms powerhouse—fusing media strategy, influencer engagement, crisis comms, and creative storytelling into award-winning campaigns
    .
    His leadership earned client trust across sectors, with marquee names like Tata Starbucks, Etihad Airways, Hyatt, Budweiser, Sony Pictures Networks India, and Visit Victoria turning to Lintas Live for cutting-edge comms.

    Ismail held multiple senior roles within the group—across dCell, Advent, and Lintertainment—before spearheading the Golin joint venture and joining its global leadership in 2014. By 2018, he was also chief growth officer at PointNine Lintas, all while continuing to captain the PR business.

    With over 500 brands and countless C-suite leaders under his strategic wing, Ismail’s counsel became industry gold. He’s served on advisory boards and juries for Sabre, Abby, and Fulcrum, and was feted by CMO Asia in 2011 for his contribution to corporate comms.

    While he readies for his next act, Lintas Live, backed by a robust client roster and mentored leadership, remains in steady hands. Ismail will stay on in the short term to ensure a smooth transition.

    A committed mentor and academic, he continues to lecture at top comms schools including Symbiosis, XIC, and Scranton University, and serves on the Score advisory council.

    As Ameer Ismail bows out, the Indian PR world salutes a leader who didn’t just follow trends—he wrote the playbook.

  • Etihad Airways announces partnership with Mumbai City FC

    Etihad Airways announces partnership with Mumbai City FC

    Mumbai: Etihad Airways has signed on to be the official front-of-shirt sponsor of Mumbai City FC in a multi-year partnership starting from the 2024-25 season. The move demonstrates Etihad’s continued commitment to the Indian market and Mumbai City’s profile as one of the top-performing professional sports teams in India having won two Indian Super League titles and two Indian Super League Cups.

    The deal, which is a record in Indian football in terms of duration, coincides with Etihad celebrating 20 years of flying to India and will see the Etihad Airways logo feature prominently on the front of shirt of Mumbai City FC’s first and youth team match shirts and training kits from the 2024-25 season.

    The partnership builds upon the decades-long connection between the home countries of the two organisations and reinforces the shared values of teamwork and excellence. Both the club and airline aim to bring people together and give flight to ambition.

    Mumbai City FC CEO Kandarp Chandra commented, “We are incredibly happy to bring Etihad on board as our Official Front of Shirt Sponsor. Their endorsement is a testament to the brand of football Mumbai City plays – one that is committed to performance and the pursuit of excellence on and off the field. Both Etihad and Mumbai City are proud to represent resilient global cities that balance tradition with modernity.”

    Etihad Airways CEO Antonoaldo Neves said, “We strive to enrich our presence in the Indian market through relevant and meaningful partnerships, and we’re thrilled to welcome Mumbai City FC to the Etihad family. India continues to be a strategically important market for Etihad and we remain committed to serving the Indian community with convenient connections from 11 destinations across India to the Middle East, Europe and North America.”

    Etihad will celebrate 20 years of flying to India this month, and from 1 September, Etihad’s A380 will be flying between Mumbai and Abu Dhabi to demonstrate its commitment to growth in India. Guests will have the chance to experience the iconic superjumbo on this popular route for four months.

    The airline flies to 11 destinations across India, with flights to Mumbai four times per day, offering convenient connections to Abu Dhabi and onwards. In total, Etihad operates 175 flights per week between Abu Dhabi and India.

    “Through our partnership with Mumbai City FC, we hope to bring joy to the football-loving community across Mumbai,” continued Neves.

  • Etihad Airways soars with Katrina Kaif as brand ambassador

    Etihad Airways soars with Katrina Kaif as brand ambassador

    Mumbai: Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has announced its partnership with Bollywood superstar Katrina Kaif as the new brand ambassador. This collaboration marks an important milestone as Etihad strengthens its presence in the Indian market and reunites with one of India’s most celebrated Bollywood stars.

    Katrina Kaif, renowned for her global appeal and elegance, embodies the shared commitment to excellence as she reunites with Etihad. Her association with the airline will be unveiled through a captivating series of videos to be showcased across Etihad and Katrina’s social channels.

    Katrina Kaif shares her excitement about the association: “I am thrilled to be back with Etihad Airways, a brand synonymous with world-class travel experiences. The airline’s commitment to excellence and its dedication to bringing people together resonate with my own values. I am excited to be part of a team that aims to create thoughtful connections and memorable experiences. I look forward to representing Etihad and being a part of their journey.”

    Etihad Airways vice president of brand, marketing and sponsorship Amina Taher explains the significance of this collaboration: “We are thrilled to welcome Katrina Kaif to the Etihad Airways family as our brand ambassador. Our partnership with Katrina is far from ordinary, it embodies the spirit of innovation and sophistication our airline represents while celebrating our commitment to uniting cultures and communities. With her remarkable journey and global recognition, we’re not only showcasing Etihad’s offerings but also fostering authentic connections that genuinely resonate with Indian travellers and celebrating our commitment to India.”

    The new partnership builds on Katrina’s collaboration with Etihad in 2010 when she was featured as a discerning traveller showcasing Etihad’s travel experience. Her prior partnership showcased her appreciation for the airline’s commitment to comfort and top-notch service. Returning to partner again, Katrina and Etihad are showcasing Etihad’s strengthening relationship with Indian communities both domestically and in insignificant global markets such as the UAE, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.

    As the brand ambassador for Etihad, Katrina will be featured in a series of creative and engaging campaign videos that highlight the airline’s commitment to unparalleled comfort, flawless service, and seamless global connectivity. Her partnership with the airline bolsters its foothold in the Indian market, where it currently serves 8 Indian cities, further solidifying Etihad as the preferred choice for travellers and aligning seamlessly with the airline’s strategy for sustained growth in India.

    The first video from the collaboration to be unveiled features Katrina Kaif on board Etihad’s newest A350 aircraft, offering a cinematic journey filled with emotions akin to a Bollywood film – featuring drama, love, and delightful surprises. The film also highlights the exclusive Armani-Casa dining wear, luxurious bedding, and complimentary in-flight Wi-Fly service, beautifully encapsulating the very essence of Etihad’s unwavering commitment to excellence. The captivating film can be seen on both Etihad and Katrina’s social media channels now.

  • Etihad Airways & Universal Pictures unveil ‘Fast & Furious’ plane

    Etihad Airways & Universal Pictures unveil ‘Fast & Furious’ plane

    MUMBAI: Etihad Airways and Universal Pictures unveiled the luxury Fast & Furious 777 airliner at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Actor/producer Vin Diesel was on hand as Etihad Airways Flight 171 arrived from Abu Dhabi to kick off the global junket and world premiere of Furious 7. The film arrives in theaters on 3 April.

     

    Representing a welcome first for the franchise, the Fast & Furious 777 will fly the direct route between Abu Dhabi and Los Angeles, which Etihad Airways opened in June 2014. The airline is also a sponsor of the Furious 7 world premiere, which takes place in Los Angeles on 1 April.

     

    As the United Arab Emirates offered an opportunity to inject striking elements and locales into the series’ mythology, Abu Dhabi became a key location for the Furious 7 production. Over the course of two weeks in April 2014, the team lensed in areas outside Abu Dhabi in the Liwa Desert, as well as in the city center at such locations as the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Emirates Palace hotel, the Yas Marina F1 race circuit and the Etihad Towers. Considering Abu Dhabi’s striking skyline—one accentuated with stunning architectural achievements—aerial shots of the skyscrapers were mandatory.

     

    “Etihad Airways is one of the fastest-growing airlines in the world with a strong history of culture and innovation and a commitment to reimagining the travel experience for our guests. We are pleased to work together with Universal, an organization that shares that same spirit of innovation and reimagination when it comes to the world of entertainment, to unveil our newly-decaled Boeing 777 aircraft in support of the Fast & Furious franchise and Furious 7, which premieres next month and highlights our airline’s home of Abu Dhabi,” said Etihad Airways chief commercial officer Peter Baumgartner.

     

    “When we began filming The Fast and the Furious in 2000, if you told me that we would one day have our logo on a wide-body jet, I would have said you were crazy. We are so honored that Etihad has partnered with us to support this very personal film, and we thank the people of the United Arab Emirates for all the kindness and graciousness they showed throughout production,” said producer Neal H. Moritz, who has shepherded all seven films in the series.

     

    The Fast & Furious decal will remain on the plane for the next four to six months.

  • Etihad Airways to telecast all FIFA matches live at 30,000 feet

    Etihad Airways to telecast all FIFA matches live at 30,000 feet

    NEW DELHI: The United Arab Emirates airline Etihad Airways is to be beam live every FIFA World Cup football match live on all of the air carrier’s long haul aircraft during the month long tournament.

     

    All 64 games will be transmitted live at 30,000 feet on the airline’s modern, wide-bodied fleet of planes by IMG Media using Etihad Airways’ state-of-the-art interactive inflight entertainment system, E-box, powered by Panasonic technology.

     

    The E-box screens are installed in seats for every class of cabin – first, business and economy – so for flying football fans, no-one need miss a goal being scored. Etihad Airways chief commercial officer Peter Baumgartner said, “The FIFA World Cup is the biggest and most exciting sporting event in the world and I’m delighted that all of our guests will be able to watch every match while they fly with us on their long-haul business or holiday flights.” 

     

    He added, “I hope that they sit back, relax and enjoy the great football action. Etihad Airways non-stop daily flights from Abu Dhabi to Sao Paulo have been in operation since June and there has been great demand from British, Dutch and Belgian expatriates living in the UAE capital and connecting markets because their national teams play matches in the Brazilian city in the next two weeks. Etihad Airways employs 49 of Brazilian nationals as cabin crew, many of whom will work on board flights between Abu Dhabi and Sao Paulo during the World Cup.”  

  • Etihad Airways and Jet Airways sign sponsorship of Mumbai Indians cricket team

    Etihad Airways and Jet Airways sign sponsorship of Mumbai Indians cricket team

    MUMBAI: Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), continues to strengthen ties with India and equity partner, Jet Airways, following a new sponsorship deal naming both airlines as principal sponsors and official airlines of the celebrated Mumbai Indians cricket team.

     

    This is the Abu Dhabi-based airline’s first high profile sports sponsorship in the region and one that underscores its expanding commitment to the Indian market.

     

    A franchise cricket team of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the Mumbai Indians are thelargest social sports brand in India and are closely followed by millions of fans across the globe. The team is known for its balance of experienced cricketers as well asthe young talented players scouted from India and across the world.

     

    Crowned as champions of the 2013 IPL, the Mumbai Indians will be playing in the Pepsi IPL 2014 Tournament whose first 20 matcheswill behosted in the UAE. Along with the Mumbai Indians, seven teams will showcase their cricketing skills in the UAE leg of the tournament which will take place between 16 and 30 April at three different venues: Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah.

     

    James Hogan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said: “As India continues to play an important part in the growth of Etihad Airways, this new sponsorship deal provides an excellent opportunity for us to reinforce our global brand in India, cement our partnership with Jet Airways and forge close and long-lasting relationships withthe Indian travelling public, many of whom we know are huge cricket fans.

     

    “Sport sponsorships form a major part of Etihad’s international marketing strategy.  We are delighted to add the Mumbai Indians, the reigning champions of the Indian Premier League, to our growing portfolio of global sporting associations.”

     

    Etihad Airways sponsorship portfolioincludes,Manchester City Football Club, the Etihad Stadium in Melbourne, Etihad Stadium in Manchester, the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Harlequins Rugby Club, GAA HurlingAll Irel and Senior Championship, and most recently the Major League Soccer in the US.

     

    Among the highlights of the sponsorship agreement will be the display of extensive Etihad Airways and Jet Airways branding and messaging beamed across LED pitch-side advertising and on giant screens in the stadium. This will occur during the Mumbai Indians home matches including the tournament’s first game which will be played at theZayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. In addition, the airlines’ logos will be prominently displayed on the teams’ shirts and merchandise.

     

    A comprehensive activation planwith the Mumbai Indians will be heldincluding community programs, competitions and promotions for flights and holidays with the teams’ fans.

     

    NareshGoyal, Chairman of Jet Airways, said: “We are excited to team up with Etihad Airways to sponsor the Mumbai Indians, as they prepare to take part in one of crickets’ most high profile tournaments featuring top cricketers from all over the world.

     

    Cricket is a hugely popular sport around the world and especially in India. Sponsoring an all-star cricket team like the Mumbai Indians will surely provide our airlines with fantastic brand exposure on a global level and offer an impressive platform to connect with our customers while at the same time engaging with the community.”

     

    Etihad Airways currently serves a total of 10 Indian cities which includes Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kozhikode, Mumbai, New Delhi, Trivandrum and the recently launched route to Jaipur.

    Etihad Airways and equity partner Jet airways had previously jointly hosted the Manchester City FC football coaching clinics inMumbai and Delhi in December 2013.

     

  • M&C Saatchi conceptualises Etihad Airways’ global campaign

    MUMBAI: Etihad Airways has launched a new television commercial and supporting digital media campaign for the global audience.

    Titled ‘Why‘, the campaign focuses on why millions of people prefer Etihad Airways over its competitors.

    Conceptualised and created by M&C Saatchi, the television commercial will be shown on pan-regional television media across Europe, the Middle East and Africa in addition to country specific stations in the UAE, India, France, Germany, Ireland, UK, United States, Pakistan and Australia.

    This is the first commercial written by Etihad Airways‘ recently appointed global agency, M&C Saatchi.

    Etihad Airways chief commercial officer Peter Baumgartner said, “The marketing campaign shares some of the secrets of our success with a worldwide audience and shows how, in less than nine years of operations, we have carried more than 40 million passengers and become synonymous with providing customers with the highest levels of hospitality and service.

    The commercial, which is translated into Arabic, French, German and Chinese, shows people enjoying a day at the beach who are surprised to see an Etihad A340 fly past, trailing a giant message.

    The tail fin message, and interest driven by the commercial, invites viewers to visit the specially developed microsite and other digital platforms in order to find out more, the company said.

  • Manchester City enters into ?400 mn sponsorship deal with Ethiad Airways

    Manchester City enters into ?400 mn sponsorship deal with Ethiad Airways

    MUMBAI: Manchester City will get up to ?400 million under their new sponsorship arrangement with Etihad Airways.

    This 10-year deal reinforces City‘s position as a football club with unprecedented financial power.

    According to the deal, City‘s ground is being renamed as the Etihad Stadium. The comprehensive partnership will concentrate on key elements such as shirt sponsorship, stadium and campus, media cooperation, business cooperation, community cooperation and International cooperation.
     
    Manchester City Football Club CEO Garry Cook said: “We are delighted to be expanding our relationship with Etihad Airways through this comprehensive partnership agreement. Most importantly, in addition to delivering significant revenue at a key stage in the Club‘s evolution, the agreement creates exciting opportunities for our two organisations to cooperate more deeply commercially and on media and community initiatives in the future.”

    Etihad Airways CEO James Hogan added: “This is a game-changing partnership agreement that redefines the traditional sports sponsorship paradigm. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for two iconic brands that share the same vision to promote far-reaching global awareness and business growth. Etihad‘s work with Manchester City Football Club has already yielded a significant return on our investment and we are thrilled to build on our relationship.”