Put a ‘S’ on your chest, and see what sticks…

Here’s a thumbs-up from Air Tran for developing a solid partnership to combat the lock that Southwest Airlines has placed around the NBA marketing partnerships.  This past week Air Tran signed Dwight Howard as a premier endorser.

Howard who will be featured in radio spots, online
advertising and high-impact billboards, You have to think that with Howard’s budding presence in the elite status of the NBA guard may push Air Tran to push into television with either Howard’s success or if the Magic return to the Finals…(Says here that will never happen with Stan Van Gundy…;)

For a nice twist, AirTran
Airways and Orlando Magic executives, unveiled the “Magic 1” — a
one-of-a-kind Boeing 717 painted in the Magic’s colors — in Orlando,
Fla.  Nice tie-in with the product and Eastern routes.

What’s interesting to see is how the new guard of NBA athletes with little publicity from their NCAA experience are partnering with their brands and how they launch into the minds of the sports viewing public.

From the look of this partnership, Howard is capitalized huge upon keeping a solid image,  placing that ‘S’ on his chest during last year’s NBA Dunk Contest, and to helping with the drive to last year’s Finals…Not bad for a son of the ATL.

Fly Well,

BD