IBM'S THINKPAD 570'S FLYING AIR CANADA
By Adnews Staff
IBM Canada Ltd. of Markham, Ontario has teamed up with Air Canada to offer executive and first class passengers the option to test drive the recently launched IBM ThinkPad 570 ultraportable notebook PC on selected flights. The marketing program, which began earlier this month and runs until October 5, is being supported with both in-flight and online advertising. Print ads for the 570 notebook are running in Air Canada's in-flight magazine EnRoute as well as internal billboard advertising in international airports across Canada. Brochures announcing the test drive offer, are also being distributed by flight attendants during flights. Advertising for the marketing program was done by Ogilvy & Mather of Toronto. The notebooks are preloaded with a selection of application software from Lotus SmartSuite Millennium and games from Sierra Online. Susan Taylor, ThinkPad marketing manager, IBM Canada Ltd., told Adnews the program is beneficial to both Air Canada and IBM. IBM has access to a targeted market and a captivated audience and Air Canada continues to be on the leading edge providing its passengers with the most up to date products, making their flight more enjoyable. In addition to the trial of the 570, passengers will also be asked to fill out a questionnaire and by doing so, will be entered in a draw to win, a ThinkPad 570, two complimentary tickets anywhere Air Canada flies in North America or a WorkPad PC. A random draw will be held on November 1.