Southwest Airlines Taps Microsoft and Interpolls' Rich Media to Inspire Business Travelers To Fight the Recession by Flying
LOS ANGELES-(Business Wire)-September 14, 2009 - Interpolls, a leading rich media technology company, announced today that it is teaming with Southwest Airlines and Microsoft to launch the newest online elements to Southwest’s ongoing “Grab Your Bag, It’s On” advertising campaign.
The national campaign – currently running on the Microsoft Mobile platform, billboards, magazines and exclusive Fox Sports online properties – is aimed at the frequent business traveler, motivating them to “punch this economy in the nose” and book that needed travel. Southwest and Interpolls are extending the campaign to websites including MSN, MSNBC and Windows Live. The partners are also rolling out new features and functionality on Fox Sports’ online “OT” show and Pro Football Pick ‘em game.
For the first time, Southwest is incorporating Interpolls’ Rich Media Widget technology into its online advertising initiatives, enabling users to “grab” the campaign-themed widget from popular sites, “share” it with friends, and “place” the widget on personal pages such as Facebook, MySpace, iGoogle, Xanga, Windows Live Spaces, and more. The widget component will extend the reach of the campaign virally among users and influencers, also building upon Southwest’s renowned approach to social marketing that currently leverages sites such as Twitter and Facebook.
The Rich Media Widget ad unit includes creative and content features such as a Southwest current promotional Bags Fly Free video, sweepstakes information, an instant booking form, Click ‘N Save newsletter sign-up, Twitter content and connectivity, along with live news and video blog feeds, all within a single ad unit. By navigating through each of the widget’s tabs, users can review the latest benefits of flying with Southwest through its Rapid Rewards® program, sign-up for deals through email and even click through to enter to win a free ski trip for four to Lake Tahoe.
“Southwest Airlines is leveraging a 360-degree approach to engage the business traveler through Microsoft Mobile, a partnership with Fox Sports and now, online with Interpolls’ Rich Media Technology,” said Sandra Howard, Director of Advertising for Southwest Airlines. “It’s an innovative way to truly surround and engage our target audience with Southwest’s unique message that we know what they need to get business done and we are with them every step of the way.”
In addition, Southwest and Interpolls are partnering with MSNBC to introduce a new, large format ad unit, the Adslice, that acts as a “slice” between two sections of content on the MSNBC web page. The Adslice unit will include content functionality similar to that of the Rich Media Widget and will allow the user to click to grab the Widget from its pickup page. Furthermore, Southwest and Interpolls will roll out a Windows Live Messenger component that enables users to share the widget with their Messenger friends, prompting them to follow Southwest for details on the season’s best deals.
“By utilizing Interpolls rich media technology, Southwest is able to engage their audience with a real-time call to action, while leveraging several impactful approaches within a single ad unit,” said Peter Kim, President and CEO, Interpolls. “Additionally, the viral nature of the Rich Media Widget ensures Southwest is able to meet its objective of increasing branding and awareness beyond its standard media buy.”
About Interpolls
Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Los Angeles, Interpolls is a pioneer and a leading rich-media and integrated marketing-technologies company. Interpolls provides full-service, rich-media advertising, sweepstakes, contests, web widgets, and interactive-media features, which can be integrated into its proprietary platform to maximize reach, awareness and results. Interpolls is a privately-held, venture-backed California corporation focused on the development of innovative technologies for interactive marketing and media. To learn more about Interpolls, please visit www.interpolls.com.
About Southwest Airlines
After 38 years of service, Southwest Airlines continues to differentiate itself from other low fare carriers—offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the most productive airline in the sky and offers Customers a comfortable traveling experience. Southwest recently updated its gate areas and improved its boarding procedure to make flying Southwest convenient and simple. Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV), the nation's largest carrier in terms of domestic passengers enplaned, currently serves 66 cities (soon to be 68 with the addition of Milwaukee on Nov. 1, 2009) in 33 states. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,200 flights a day and has more than 35,000 Employees systemwide.
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