Virgin teases BWIA By Juhel Browne (Trinidad Guardian 11.12.02) AS IT seeks to attract additional passengers to London with a reduced fare, BWIA is facing stiff competition from Virgin Atlantic airlines, accusing it of spoofing the BWIA name in its press ads. BWIA has officially written to the Advertising Standards Authority about Virgin's most recent ad in the local press in which it is advertising its own London fares. Virgin is owned by UK business magnate Richard Branson. In the Virgin ad, which appeared in the Guardian and another daily newspaper, the "W" in the acronym BWIA was changed to a "V" and a slogan below read "Better Virgin. It's Available." "I can assure you that falls outside of the standards set by the (T&T) advertising association," said BWIA corporate communications officer Clint Williams. "We are dismayed that someone would feel they have to denigrate our name to offer their services." BWIA, through its advertising firm, CMB Ltd, sent a letter of complaint to the Advertising Standards Authority about the Virgin ad. A similar letter was sent to the Trinidad and Tobago Publishers and Broadcasters Association and to both newspapers. Asked if this letter was the beginning of any further action against the ad, Williams said:"We will wait to see the response." In the United States, where Virgin's headquarters is located, it is commonplace for companies to spoof their competitors. "That's not the rules that we play by here in Trinidad," said Williams. Some advertising officials interviewed yesterday agreed. BWIA also disputed Virgin's implication that passengers would receive a better deal flying to London with the UK-based airline. In its ad, Virgin said it flies to London from Barbados five times a week, offers three classes of seating and prices starting at TT $5,087, VAT inclusive. The Branson empire Virgin Megastores Virgin Mobile Virgin Blue Virgin Express V2 Records Virgin. Net Virgin Trains Virgin Cars The owner of Roger's Trinbago Site: Roj (Roger James) *************************************************** escape email mailto:ejames@escape.ca Trinbago site: http://www.tntisland.com CBC Website http://www.tntisland.com/caribbeanbrassconnection/ The Trinbago Site of the Week: (I95.5FM) http://www.i955fm.com (Radio Station I95.5FM) courtesy of Roj Trinbago Website & TnT Web Directory Roj's Trinbago Website: http://www.tntisland.com TnT Web Directory: http://search.co.tt *********************************************************