The Non-Obvious Insights Blog. Non-Obvious Insights
The Non-Obvious Insights Blog.

Dedicated To Helping Readers
Be More Interesting
Since 2004.

As Featured In:

United Launches Online Coalition to Win New Beijing Route

I2m_united_capitaltocapital In my inbox today, I recieved a plea from United to support their "Capital to Capital" initiative lobbying the US Department of Transportation to allow them to add a new nonstop direct flight from Washington DC to Beijing, China.  The email drives travellers to a website launched on September 12th for the Capital to Capital Coalition.  The site features testimonials from experts, an events calendar and an area with links to all the ways travellers can take action to support United.  Perhaps the most impressive part of the site (aside from the clear PR resources United has dedicated to this effort) is how the site frames the issue and positions United as the holder of the ideal solution:

America is the largest country without non-stop Capital-to-Capital service to China.  Washington, D.C. and Beijing are two of the most important capital cities – global centers of politics, economics, and culture. Beijing has non-stop connections to most of the major capitals of the world, including London, Paris, Rome, Tokyo, Delhi, and Moscow. … European and Asian countries, such as the U.K., France, Russia, Japan and South Korea, are vigorously pursuing their commercial and political agendas in China. The advantage to these countries of having a Capital-to-Capital service is significant. And the lack of such a service puts the United States at a competitive disadvantage. Today, there’s an opportunity to change all that.

After reading this, not supporting United almost seems unAmerican.  The interesting fact buried within the content of the site, however, is that the US Department of transportation has already decided to award one new route to China.  United’s campaign is not about creating the route, but about becoming the sole airline with the rights to fulfill it.  Clearly, having a monopoly on this route would be a big money maker for United, and something worth investing in PR to win.  Yet regardless of the "massaging" of message the site engages in, it is still an interesting lobbying effort for United and a campaign likely to help them generate support from their many frequent fliers to win the Beijing route.

To see the full text of the email promotion, click here.

4 thoughts on “United Launches Online Coalition to Win New Beijing Route”

  1. Pingback: maggie32rose
  2. And I just received an e-mail from Northwest Airlines asking me to sign an online petition to support their bid to be the one airline that is allowed to add service to China, but between Detroit and Shanghai. Their pitch mildly emphasizes convenience, but the United effort sounds much more effective in making you want to support them. Looks like the airlines are realizing they can use e-mail for more than just letting you know how many frequent flyer miles you have.

    Reply
  3. Got this from continental a few weeks ago- totally different approach! Boring letter, even more boring site.

    Help Continental Secure New Shanghai Gateway
    Let us be your carrier to Shanghai.
    We’re asking for your help in supporting our proposed new route from New York/Newark to Shanghai, China, beginning spring 2007. Competition is strong with only one U.S. airline able to secure a daily flight to and from China next year.

    Show your support for Continental by signing your name to our electronic petition* that will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Transportation. The DOT will base its decision on multiple factors including community support and the amount of business the new route will generate.

    Plus, don’t forget to tell your family, friends and colleagues about the prospect for Continental’s new flight to China.

    Sign the petition now.

    ***** You can see the petition here
    https://www.continental.com/web/en-US/content/company/petition.aspx?camp=ADHC&campyear=2006&sender=EMAIL_MKTG&language=EN&description=Shanghai

    Reply
  4. My company, BizGrowth Search Engine Solutions, has recently compiled a resource called the BizGrowth SEO Control Panel which we are positioning to become the number one resource for all quality free search engine optimization tools on the internet. We currently have over 150 tools listed; ranging from keyword analyzers and meta tag generators to page rankers and site analyzers.

    We would love it if you would check out the control panel, let us know what you think, and let your audience know about it if you like it. Here is the direct link to the page: https://www.bizgrowthseo.com/free_seo_control_tools.php

    Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

    Reply

Leave a Comment

The Non-Obvious Insights Newsletter. Non-Obvious Insights
Layer 97
The Non-Obvious Insights Newsletter
Layer 118

Skip the obvious and anticipate the future with our weekly newsletter. Join over 25,000 subscribers and start receiving the stories (and insights) you’ve been missing.

Newsletter Subscribe

All Books

#1 WSJ & USA Today Bestselling Author

Rohit is the author of 10 books on trends, the future of business, building a more human brand with storytelling and how to create a more diverse and inclusive world.

Contact

Have a Question or Inquiry?

Just fill out this form, and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours!

Contact

About You

What Are You Contacting Us About*:

Your Message