While there have been many incredibly amazing opportunities that have come our way because of this blog, there are some that truly stands out from the rest and have landed in our top list of pinch me is this real or am I dreaming kind of opportunity. One such stupendous moment is being invited as one of the very, very few VIPs to inaugurate the newly established partnership between Turkish Airlines and the Ottawa Senators.
How did we get to lucky? I don’t know. But what I do know is that it has certainly been one of those that are rooted to the one key element to a successful collaboration – building and maintaining solid relationships. We wouldn’t have been in this amazing flight… err… ride if not for our great working relationship with Charming Media, who has been on the forefront of expanding Turkish Airline’s visibility in Canada.
Executives of both Ottawa Senators and Turkish Airlines lead by Mr. Tarkan Ince.
Although I have a good awareness of the global airlines industry due to a previous line of work, I have only really came to recognize and pay attention to Turkish Airlines ever since Charming Media (represented by Co-Founder Valerie Stachurski that night) took the helm of introducing the airlines to the True North. Their two Turkish Airlines press trips to Istanbul and Dubai have been so successful; they both garnered over 5.5 million views in social media elevating the airline’s cool factor in everyone’s radar.
For more Turkish Airlines – Ottawa Senators Photos, visit us in Facebook here and here.
TURKISH AIRLINES SPONSORS OTTAWA SENATORS
This couldn’t be more true with the airline’s newest sponsorship of the nation’s capital hockey team – the Ottawa Senators. Ottawa being home to the country’s Parliament and every nation’s embassies and representation to Canada, Turkish Airlines have made a brilliant and strategic pick with the Sens. Launching the season with a new leadership and a great start, the Ottawa Senators is poised for another comeback for the Stanley Cup and what better way to boost the team’s morale and drive to win than a sponsorship for a world renowned airlines like Turkish Airlines.
Ottawa Senators vs. Chicago Blackhawks
When the Montreal Canadiens announced a new loyalty program called Club 1909 and a roster of huge corporate sponsors like Air Canada and Coca-Cola, the competition within the National Hockey League has gotten fiercer than ever and not just on the ice but in other aspect of the business, including expanding to markets beyond Canada and the US and in garnering thousands, if not millions, of fans in social media.
A MATCH MADE IN THE ICE AND THE SKIES
This may be something that Turkish Airlines have an additional edge over the others. Not only that it has been chosen “Europe’s Best Airline” for the third and “Best Airline in Southern Europe” for the fourth consecutive time, Turkish Airlines has also been ‘killing it’ in social media, so to speak. The first inaugural game to the Turkish Airlines – Ottawa Senators partnership is a brilliant example to harnessing the power of traditional and new online media to up the ante of giving viewers an insider’s point of view.
GETTING ROYALLY SPOILED IN THE TURKISH AIRLINES-SPONSORED SENS SUITE
It truly was a magical evening and that’s coming from a not–so-huge sports fan. The excitement of it all, the prestige of being in a Senator’s suite and seeing the game live with a view from the top and feeling the reverberation of the crowd’s cheers – it was magic.
Also present: Mrs. Lerzan Unal and Miss Irmak Urmal, Mr. Cagatay Erciyes, Mrs. Ayten Erciyes and Mr. Bilge Cem Erciyes
It was rightly an experience of a lifetime and truth be told, I don’t think I can watch hockey, nay, any live sporting event for that matter, the same way ever again. We were supremely spoiled by Turkish Airlines, represented by Tarkan Ince as well as Hon. Çağatay Erciyes, the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Turkey to the United Nations (UN) International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO); and have been warmly welcomed by Senior Executives of the Ottawa Senators including President and Alternate Governor Cyril Leeder.
While I have yet to have to pleasure of flying Turkish Airlines, I have been closely following the headlines and getting familiar with the kind of reception they get from the public. Established in 1933 with a fleet of five aircraft, Star Alliance member Turkish Airlines is a 4-star airline today with a fleet of 249 (passenger and cargo) aircraft flying to 257 destinations worldwide with 211 international and 46 domestic. They have certainly earned a global recognition of being a commendable and reputable airline that has been award winning in a number of categories.
As the airlines announced its new Montreal to Istanbul route this summer, I am high in anticipation as I eagerly await Turkish Airlines announce its flight from Toronto to Manila. I have been promised a warm seat and I am feverish in excitement to be one of the first to fly Turkish Airlines from my beloved Canada to my also dearly beloved Philippines!
May this new partnership with the Ottawa Senators further advances Turkish Airlines’ relationship with Canada. May it also open new economic opportunities in the education, information technology, aerospace and transportation sectors and who knows, maybe even in sports!
