kulula's advertising have always made me smile. I have grown to enjoy the attack of green on my TV screen and on the pages of my favourite magazines and newspapers.
I had a very good chuckle over what has become known as the 'kulula's FIFA campaign'. The advert was a beautifully hand drawn illustration with a tongue-in-check response to FIFA's advertising rules and regulations: UNOFFICIAL CARRIER OF THE 'YOU-KNOW-WHAT'. Unfortunately this advert was not FIFA full proof and kulula landed in hot water. After an apology and pulled media placement, kulula altered the offending advert and the new advert indirectly highlighted the overwhelming impact that FIFA had on South Africa.
Writing for The Media magazine, Heidi Brauer, executive manager, group marketing for kulula.com had this to say about the advert: "The PR value, passion-building and rising up of South African gees has been enormous. It has become a symbol, locally and internationally, that represents the rising sentiment against perceived bullying and heavy handedness of the organisation that promised to bring positive world focus and economic growth to SA".
kulula's cleverness and quirkiness doesn't stop at their advertising. I love how they have branded their planes.
kulula's airline attendants also make an effort to make the in-flight "safety lecture" and announcements a bit more entertaining. Below are overheard and reported responses from kulula flights:
- On a kulula flight, (there is no assigned seating, you just sit where you want) passengers were apparently having a hard time choosing, when a flight attendant announced, "People, people we're not picking out furniture here, find a seat and get in it!"
- On another flight with a very "senior" flight attendant crew, the pilot said, "Ladies and turning down the cabin lights. This is for your comfort and to enhance the appearance of your flight attendants."
- On landing, the stewardess said, "Please be sure to take all of your belongings.. If you're going to leave anything, please make sure it's something we'd like to have."
- "There may be 50 ways to leave your lover, but there are only 4 ways out of this airplane."
- "Thank you for flying kulula. We hope you enjoyed giving us the business as much as we enjoyed taking you for a ride."
- From a kulula employee: " Welcome aboard kulula 271 to Port Elizabeth ... To operate your seat belt, insert the metal tab into the buckle, and pull tight. It works just like every other seat belt; and, if you don't know how to operate one, you probably shouldn't be out in public unsupervised."
- "In the event of a sudden loss of cabin pressure, masks will descend from the ceiling. Stop screaming, grab the mask, and pull it over your face. If you have a small child travelling with you, secure your mask before assisting with theirs. If you are travelling with more than one small child, pick your favourite."
- Weather at our destination is 50 degrees with some broken clouds, but we'll try to have them fixed before we arrive. Thank you, and remember, nobody loves you, or your money, more than kulula Airlines."
- "Your seats cushions can be used for flotation; and in the event of an emergency water landing, please paddle to shore and take them with our compliments."
- "As you exit the plane, make sure to gather all of your belongings. Anything left behind will be distributed evenly among the flight attendants. Please do not leave children or spouses.."
- And from the pilot during his welcome message: "kulula airlines is pleased to announce that we have some of the best flight attendants in the industry. Unfortunately, none of them are on this flight!"
- Another flight attendant's comment on a less than perfect landing:"We ask you to please remain seated as Captain Kangaroo bounces us to the terminal."
- After a real crusher of a landing in Johannesburg , the attendant came on with, "Ladies and Gentlemen, please remain in your seats until Captain Crash and the Crew have brought the aircraft to a screeching halt against the gate. And, once the tire smoke has cleared and the warning bells are silenced, we will open the door and you can pick your way through the wreckage to the terminal.."
- Heard on a kulula flight. "Ladies and gentlemen, if you wish to smoke, the smoking section on this airplane is on the wing. If you can light 'em, you can smoke 'em."
- A plane was taking off from Durban Airport . After it reached a comfortable cruising altitude, the captain made an announcement over the intercom, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. Welcome to Flight Number 293, non-stop from Durban to Cape Town , The weather ahead is good and, therefore, we should have a smooth and uneventful flight.. Now sit back and relax... OH, MY GOODNESS!" Silence followed, and after a few minutes, the captain came back on the intercom and said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, I am so sorry if I scared you earlier. While I was talking to you, the flight attendant accidentally spilled a cup of hot coffee in my lap. You should see the front of my pants!" A passenger then yelled, "That's nothing. You should see the back of mine!"
Hahaha LOVE Kulula
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