SEATTLE, Sep. 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Alaska Airlines and
Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson today announced that Wilson has
extended his exclusive, multi-year partnership as the airline's
Chief Football Officer. The airline is also debuting three
brand-new television commercials starring Wilson, that air for the
first time during Sunday's game.
"Russell Wilson and Alaska
Airlines go together like Seattle
and 'hometown airline.' As Seattle's quarterback, he's an
inspirational leader for our employees and for Seattle football fans across our route
network," said Joe Sprague,
Alaska's senior vice president of
communications and external relations. "We can't wait to cheer him
on this football season and for many years to come."
The new, comical commercials feature real Alaska Airlines and
Horizon Air employees, and follow the theme of "Alaska Airlines
Company Retreat," a camp where employees are pushed to greatness
and teamwork by Wilson. They were filmed at Camp River Ranch, a
Girl Scouts camp in the Cascade foothills near Carnation, Washington.
View all three commercials (titled "Canoe," "Wood Carving" and
"Drum Circle") plus an outtakes reel and get the behind-the-scenes
scoop on the Alaska Airlines blog at blog.alaskaair.com.
Broadcast-quality versions of the commercials are available for
download at bit.ly/RussellAds.
As Alaska's Chief Football
Officer, Wilson works with the carrier to support youth and
education programs. Among them are the Russell Wilson Passing
Academy, which provides youths an opportunity to attend football
camp for a once-in-a-lifetime experience; and Strong Against
Cancer, a multi-year initiative dedicated to ending childhood
cancer. Most recently, Wilson faced off against actor and comedian
Joel McHale in the Alaska Airlines
Plane Pull for Strong Against Cancer. The friendly competition
netted nearly $190,000 in cash and
in-kind contributions from Alaska
and Plane Pull attendees.
"My goal is to build strong, long-term partnerships with really
great companies and people," said Wilson. "Alaska and I have so much in common, and I
couldn't be happier to continue this great relationship with my
hometown airline."
Alaska will support its CFO
both on the field and off. The renewed partnership includes:
- Discounted travel to Russell's away games this season. Learn
more at www.alaskaair.com/gorussell;
- Surprise and delight promotions for customers and fans
throughout the football season;
- Support of Strong Against Cancer and the Russell Wilson Passing
Academy, two of Wilson's personal causes; and
- A marketing campaign including three new TV commercials
featuring Wilson, debuting today.
- Additionally, Alaska today
announced it is extending a popular promotion this football season,
granting early boarding on all Seattle-departing flights for customers
wearing Wilson's No. 3 jersey beginning Sunday, Sept. 13.
Alaska Airlines, a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK),
together with its partner regional airlines, serves more than 100
cities through an expansive network in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Alaska Airlines ranked "Highest in
Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Carriers in North America" in the J.D. Power North America
Airline Satisfaction Study for eight consecutive years from 2008 to
2015. Alaska Airlines' Mileage Plan also ranked "Highest in
Customer Satisfaction with Airline Loyalty Rewards Programs" in the
J.D. Power 2014 and 2015 Airline Loyalty/Rewards Program
Satisfaction Report. For reservations, visit www.alaskaair.com. For
more news and information, visit Alaska Airlines' newsroom at
www.alaskaair.com/newsroom.
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SOURCE Alaska Airlines