SkyTeam member airline KLM, based in Amsterdam and acquired by Air France in 2004, sees Germany as its most important market but discovered that 46% of Germans don’t know what a KLM is.
Founded in 1919 this is the oldest airline in the world still operating under its original name. KLM stands for Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij, or Royal Aviation Company.
Copyright: flaperval / 123RF Stock Photo
The airline created a German ad campaign: We are an airline. But since their research showed that people assumed KLM was either a bank, radio station or restaurant, they opened those things.
- The restaurant gave away inflight meals for free
- The bank had an ATM that gave people a chance to win free flights
- They sponsored The Flying Dutchmen over the radio, with music, airline news and quiz items, and pitching the benefits of the airline
“We are an Airline” by The Flying Dutchmen will be available on Spotify this week.
Oh this put a huge smile on my face!
Nice marketing idea.
Wow. Another reason for me to dislike Germany. I’m serious. At least the Hun is getting educated. I really admire KLM.
I always thought it stood for Keeps Losing Money. Oh wait, that’s Air France.
Gotta love an airline whose head of state works as a pilot!
Nicely done KLM!
Well if they don’t know what kLM is that’s pretty good
That way there are more award seats for others to redeem
Less seats on Lufthansa though 😉 🙂
I don’t blame them. I bet most Americans couldn’t tell you if they were an airline. Unless you’ve seen them come up in a flight search engine or play the frequent flyer game they probably couldn’t tell you.
I ‘m not surprised that a lot of Germans doesn’t know what KLM stands for …you dont even see their Logo a lot at Airports 🙂
Pretty sure you will find that in every Country not only in Germany and thats not a reason to dislike Germans or Germany @ Robert Milton
An entire nation believes what they read, posted by 1 Frequent Flyer?!?! (go figure, no wonder that nation is now stuck with a President as they mostly always believe everything they hear) Well, i have to make you aware, Germany is an important market for the Dutch neighbors, but like to start from scratch when “trying” to educate the US market: see the KLM link below! It will stun you!! The German idea was perfect and entertaining while the US version …… well, see for yourself and PLEASE, don’t always believe everything you just read and think it is always the truth, especially when it comes to the Plane truth! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SONKm1evass
This is why I don’t like Robert Milton, who believes every marketing crap
What a brilliant idea!! Although I am very surprised that the Germans were not familiar with KLM. I have known the KLM airline for a long time. My Austrian husband loves the company because of it’s superb service.
Excellent idea.
Hope it goes a long way!!!!