The press releases in full:
April signifies a new era for South Africa's favourite no-frills airline, kulula.com. Yesterday, 1 April 2012, the airline announced a first-of-its-kind solution to deliver improved revenue streams at an increasingly turbulent time for the aviation industry.
It has already taken steps to curb rising airport traffic congestion and high airport taxes by pioneering flights to secondary airports like Lanseria and even proposing to purchase the mothballed Durban airport from government, which was regrettably rejected. Its latest innovation will see selected flights landing on state-of-the-art water runways near Cape Town and Durban harbours and Hartbeespoort Dam in Gauteng.
"Globally, all airlines are feeling the pinch and 2012 will be a watershed year where only the most agile will keep their heads above water. The company has always prided itself on successfully maintaining a low fare business model which motivated us to find new ways to ensure ticket prices remain affordable," says kulula group spokesperson, Heidi Brauer.
In July this year, kulula will take delivery of eight new next generation Boeing 737-800, two of which are specifically designed for water landings.
The 737-Seaplane, in aviation terms is classified as a flying boat due to its modified fuselage which is the main source of buoyancy and which acts like a ship's hull in the water. All these vessels have been designed to ensure smooth landings and are equipped with the latest technology to ensure passenger comfort and safety, says Brauer.
Before coming aboard, kulula captains and flight crew will undergo rigorous training on sea and water landings, judging drift from sea current, swell size and nautical navigation. Passengers will embark and disembark from exclusive kulula piers and be ferried to the planes by designated water shuttles.
"Airlines that do not significantly reinvent themselves are unlikely to stay afloat in these troubled economic times. The company has never been scared of navigating unchartered waters and once launched, we're sure it will go swimmingly," says Brauer. The first landing is scheduled for 4 July 2012.
For more, go to www.facebook.com/iflykulula.
Tractor Outdoor, a Cape Town-based independent outdoor media company, has secured the rights, with the support of SANParks, to give Table Mountain a fresh makeover in the form of branding the slopes with another up and coming Cape based icon brand, Bos Ice Tea.
A carbon-free, eco-friendly and biodegradable paint will be applied to Table Mountain and Lion's Head by a team of 75 artists that will result in the world's largest branding exercise, which they hope will be verified by a team from The Guinness Book of World Records. The branding will take place by the end of April 2012, the exact execution of which is weather dependent.
The application will take approximately twenty four hours to complete with the team, who are currently undergoing rock-climbing and abseiling lessons in order to prepare them for the task ahead, working through the night by way of the current flood lighting of the mountain.
The creative brains behind this project are Grant Rushmere, founder of Bos Ice Tea and Tractor director, Simon Wall, who also pioneered South Africa's first vertical garden in Cape Town's Kloof Street.
"We all agreed that the dreary, blank façade of Table Mountain was in dire need of a makeover," says Wall. This led the company to approach its local client for its participation in the branding of the mountain.
The creative concept included the Bos 'lion' image painted at the bottom of Lion's Head and the logo and wording across the slopes of Table Mountain itself. Rushmere stated that the concept also incorporates his vision for the brand as being as iconic and well-known as Table Mountain and feels that the international appeal of Cape Town mirrors the potential international appeal of the product.
Wattachusay Watkykjy, spokesperson for SANParks added, "This project is groundbreaking in bringing together three well-known Cape Town brands. Together we will be presenting a spectacularly visual project that will be to the benefit of all Capetonians, turning our mountain into an outdoor art gallery for all and all-inclusive."
Tree-huggers need not fear damage to one of the world's New Seven Wonders. In line with the philosophy of the organic ice teas, the organic paint that will be used is plant and animal friendly, is high in nutrients and will wash away with the first rains, so the temporary artwork is actually beneficial to the resident fauna and flora.
Wall adds, "The agency prides itself on being at the forefront of innovative outdoor marketing initiatives, especially with Cape Town currently being the world's number one holiday destination and the World Design Capital in 2014." Together, the companies intend to ensure that local is not only lekker but also very visible.
A 'fool' proof study at TomTom's Navigation Laboratory (NavLab) have discovered that Darth Vader's navigation voice increases children's happiness in the car by over 68%. More than 300 baby and toddler volunteers took part in Project Gaga, a six-month NavLab research project to find the perfect satnav voice for families with small children.
"Everything we do is about making journeys better," said Daan Henderickx, country manager for TomTom South Africa. "When we found that for 97% of parents 'crying and unhappy children' is the single biggest source of disturbance in the car, we knew we had to find a solution and Project Gaga was launched."
In scientific tests, Darth Vader's voice gained the highest happiness score with children aged six months to two years. The Dark Lord's voice was tested alongside 25 other popular satnav voices including Homer Simpson, Bugs Bunny and Yoda. Children responded most positively to Darth Vader's breathy tones, whilst Yoda's voice reduced many babies to tears.
"Our customers have been telling us for years that their TomTom navigation voice feels like part of the family," continues Henderickx. "Now, it would seem that every family car should have Darth Vader on board to cheer up children and parents alike."
See also:
Updated at 1.17pm on 2 April 2012.
