Technology – White Orchid Insights

How NFTS and Web3 will Affect Marketing, Branding, and Customer Engagement

Mellissa Wheeler — Wed, 16 Mar 2022 07:39:44 +0000

NFTs, even a year ago if you mentioned them most people would say, “huh?” Now, NFTs are being minted, dropped and are transactional tools. More so, they are coveted collectibles with auction houses Sotheby’s and Christies having held NFT collection auctions. Brands are now participating in the NFT trend and leveraging this world of art and technology to promote brand loyalty, engage new audiences, and build online communities via DAOs.

From Gamers to Mainstream

As marketers often say, “find out who your customer is, where they hang out (online), and how to connect with them”. Unless you are a gamer or make a habit of hanging out on channels such as Discord, you probably haven’t come across an NFT drop (yet). This is all about to change as major brands, celebrities, and mainstream media start to drop and promote NFTs to much broader audiences.

Why use NFTs as a marketing tool?

Part of what makes NFTs exciting and popular is that it they are new, unique, and financially transparent. They give the user ownership of the digital product for a lifetime, avoiding fear of “fakes” and providing access to the coveted future of art.

Why should we care about NFTs?

NFTs give owners a sense of exclusivity

Brands, particularly those in the luxury space create and curate a sense of exclusivity for their customers. This enables higher pricing, increased loyalty, and a sense of belonging for the customer. NFTs are now being weaved into traditional brand loyalty schema to engage new (often younger) audiences.

NFTs give exclusivity by granting access to members-only communities. Owners become members of “the club” and are usually given benefits or perks exclusive to that status. The limited number of each drop of NFTs increases the feeling of exclusivity as well as the potential future value of the digital asset. NFTs can be split into tiers and a common strategy is that the top tiers are limited in number and termed “legendary”. These are greater in value as collectors’ items but also usually have very exclusive perks such as a physical version of the NFT. Fashion brands for example have embraced NFTs and example being Phillip Plein, a fashion brand that launched an NFT sneaker which also is accompanied by the physical sneaker itself. In the short term, this physical + digital model is likely to be most favoured by consumers as they get accustomed to a whole new world of digital assets.

NFTS help brands create a buzz

Leading luxury brands including Balenciaga have already used NFTs to create a buzz and increase share of conversation (media and online coverage including social media mentions). Pringles and Nike also dropped NFTs around the Super Bowl with great engagement outcomes. Celebrities have also jumped onto the NFT bandwagon as a way to ignite interest in their personal branding projects. Paris Hilton is one of the foremost celebrities to have used NFTs by collaborating with established NFT creators such as Superplastic’s synthetic superstar, Dayzee. The resulting NFT drops have given Paris credibility while highlighting her new personal branding direction as an abuse survivor.

Niche, luxury brands including private jet companies, Jet Luxe and Empress Jets have also joined the movement and plan to offer charter flights to those wishing to pay by cryptocurrency. Miami, which is fast becoming a global hub for crypto based activities, will also see a series of crypto events in April 2022. Jet Luxe and Empress Jets plan to participate in an event specifically for new, young, tech-savvy users of private jets.

A side note to brand and marketing teams that need to convince their traditional C-Suite of the “why” – big brand NFTs can often sell for large amounts, providing clear return on investment along with increased presence and customer loyalty.

NFTs create communities and engage potential new audiences

NFTs and the communities that are created around them help form new and unique brand experiences. NFTs can become a part of your brand storytelling, breathing life into it via an asset that customers can own and which represents their experience of the brand. An example is Talon E-Sports signing a partnership with Yesports (an engagement platform for e-sports) as they understand that NFT under their Talon E-Sports branding gives another level of brand experience and connection to their fans.

The NFT community (creators, collectors, supporters) has become huge, global and very discerning. Creating NFTs, especially for luxury brands, helps them target an audience which they may not reach through traditional marketing methods but have the spending power to become part of their target demographic.

NFTs are not suitable for all brands

There are many positives for brands to use NFTs as a public relations and marketing tool. Yet we must remember that NFTs like any other marketing tool must be used appropriately, keeping in mind the brand’s audience and their readiness for new engagement techniques.

Authenticity is key as well as appropriateness of the message. The NFT community will be harsh and vocal at a brand if they find an NFT distasteful. An example would be the Associated Press (AP). The Associated Press pulled the sale of a NFT after significant backlash from the public on Twitter. The NFT depicted a short video of a boat overcrowded with migrants drifting in the Mediterranean Sea and was set to drop at a previously announced date. The NFT community responded to the collectible, which was promoted in a tweet by the publication, in an overwhelmingly negative way, calling it “grotesque” and “dehumanising.” The tweet was deleted some four hours after the original post. Later, the AP came out with a statement on Twitter, saying the video was a “poor choice of imagery for a NFT” and that its intended auction would be cancelled.

So what are our final thoughts on NFTs in relation to brand and marketing?

Brands and marketers should embrace NFTs – they are here to stay. However, as with any type of marketing, branding or PR tool, timing, format, and correct rollout is key. Brand awareness, key messaging and understanding your audience will all be key factors. If unsure, White Orchid Insights (WOI) offers NFT and Web3 services to its clients via a partnership with NFT experts, CubiEye. Together, we give the best of both worlds, combining traditional communications with cutting edge digital marketing.

Need help? Get in touch with WOI for a free 15 minute consultation.

White Orchid Insights (WOI) and CubiEye signs a MOU

Mellissa Wheeler — Tue, 08 Mar 2022 08:32:09 +0000

White Orchid Insights (WOI) and CubiEye signs a MOU to provide a seamless service for clients from Web2 to Web3

Press release, 7 March 2022: Public relations and communications agency, White Orchid Insights (WOI) and digital marketing agency, CubiEye have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to deliver Web3 services to its respective clients. This MOU kicks off a collaboration between the two agencies so that they can offer a complete service offering to brands that benefit from traditional marketing, communucations, and public relations but also wish to enter the Web3 and the NFT world.

Sarah Keates, Founder of WOI said, “We pride ourselves in going above and beyond for our clients. Web3 and how it can be used for branding and customer experience is increasing in demand so we are delighted to work with CubiEye, the experts in this field”. Usman Qureshi, Co-Founder of CubiEye said, “We are excited to enter this agreement with Sarah and the WOI team. Our respective strengths and expertise complement one other and now means that we can offer our clients a full service offering. We look forward to bridge the physical with the virtual.”

Web3, Metaverse, and NFTs have rapidly evolved over the past year with more companies and brands embracing and offering related services. NFTs have started to be leveraged by luxury brands as a customer loyalty tool as well as providing credibility and transparency to ESG plans and pricing. More than just a passing trend, both agencies remind brands to consider this trend as an additional layer to complement existing communications practices.

ABOUT White Orchid Insights (WOI)

We are a communications andpublic relations agency based in Hong Kong serving clients around the world. We offer services across branding, marketing, communications, public relations, and events.
whiteorchidinsights.com

ABOUT CubiEye

CubiEye provides you with a one-stop solution for Web3 Products and NFT Marketing. We provide a winning NFT marketing strategy that have helped and brought success to numerous NFT projects and marketplaces around the world.

cubieye.com

MEDIA ENQUIRIES info@whiteorchidinsights.com

Hong Kong Real Estate Trends – Metro Workspace

Mellissa Wheeler — Wed, 29 Dec 2021 03:55:56 +0000

We chat with Bobby at Metro Workspace about Hong Kong real estate trends, hybrid working and community.

Bobby, tell us about you, your background, and your role?

My experience is in finance and real estate. I have held roles at Citic Securities and Pacific Century Premium Developments Limited before joining Galaxy Asset Management, a hedge fund in Hong Kong founded by Joe Chan, Founder of Metro workspace.

My role for Metro Workspace is varied. I provide strategic leadership across the group, support the management team, and lead on business development. Primarily, I am responsible for expanding Metro Workspace in Hong Kong and Asia Pacific. It’s an exciting role because workplaces are finally modernizing and evolving, a change that has been a long time coming. My team and I strongly believe that the flexible workspaces are disrupting traditional working models and we are excited to be at the center of the shift.

What is Metropolitan workspace?

Metropolitan workspace represents Hong Kong’s passion and purpose to work in a stylish, inspired, and creative way. We believe that workspaces should be human, practical, comfortable and interesting. To deliver on this vision, we have created workspaces that exemplify our core values in promoting entrepreneurship, connection, and a love of nature. Our offices are beautifully designed using light, space, texture, color, and inspiration from nature while providing spacious, fresh, and ‘open yet private’ environments.

Our mission it to surprise, delight, and inspire Hong Kong’s thriving community of freelancers, entrepreneurs, small and mid-sized companies, and corporates. As Asia’s World City, Hong Kong is the ideal location for building and growing a business. At Metropolitan Workspace, we challenge outdated, rigid workplace practices and create beautiful, affordable, modern spaces that drive productivity and inspire creativity. We empower businesses to define a working model that works best for their business and our locations are ideal for hybrid, flexible, or traditional working – the choice is yours.

What is hybrid working?

Hybrid working is a trust and values-based system that balances the business need with employee wellbeing. There are no set rules with hybrid working and it can take a variety of forms. Companies may, for example, give employees the choice to work in the office or remotely for part of the week. For more on this topic please check out our blog.

How is Hong Kong positioned against places like Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Seoul in terms of work trends?

The penetration for Flexible Office vs Total Office Stock is 3.5% which is still the lowest compared with other cities in the region, Singapore 5.3%, Seoul 4.8%, Delhi NCR 4.9%, Shenzhen 5.1%, Beijing 7.2% and Shanghai 5.4%.

Hong Kong is a traditional market, that said it is evolving in relation to work trends. Asia, unsurprisingly, is conservative in its approach to work practices, however, COVID-19 has forced employers to reimagine workspaces and working models. We see hybrid working being widely adopted across Hong Kong as employers adapt to returning to work whilst prioritizing employee wellness and managing social distancing.

Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area is primed to be Asia’s “Silicon Valley”. We have a strong, diverse ecosystem and fertile “soil” for the industry to thrive. The city has an uncomplicated and low tax environment, non-onerous reporting rules, freedom of capital movement and a highly skilled workforce. It is a cosmopolitan environment full of go-getting individuals, well-funded SMEs, and a supportive government.

I believe we have a lot of potential and growth ahead of us made possible, in part, by changes to land use policy. For example, we have seen the Industrial Building Revitalisation Scheme and plans for the northern part of the New Territories mentioned in The Chief Executive 2021 Policy Address, indicating the government’s commitment to and investment in developing areas of Hong Kong. There is strong demand for workspaces in the New Territories and the Metro workspace Yuen Long property reached 90% occupancy in just seven months of operation. We are excited about the new developments in Yuen Long as well as the whole northern part of Hong Kong’s New Territories.

How does Asia compare to the West in terms of work trends?

When compared with (some) markets in the West, Hong Kong is slower to respond to change. Whilst the West is swift to adapt to employee preferences and innovation in relation to evolving working models, Hong Kong lags. It’s not just employee trends such as “wellness at work” that fall behind in Hong Kong; real estate business models are also quite slow to modernize. For example, the real estate management model is well established in the United States and other Western markets. This approach, which offers financial sustainability to tenants and a financial incentive for landlords during market fluctuations, is the go-to overseas. However, to date Metro Workspace is only the second coworking space in Hong Kong that delivers this model.

How can businesses benefit from flexible working?

There are innumerable benefits from offering flexible work options to employees which in turn provides significant benefits to the organization.

Cost reduction

Hong Kong boasts of being one of the most prized real estate markets in the world. Offering flexible work solutions provides the obvious opportunity for businesses to reduced fixed overheads like rent, utilities, maintenance, and cleaning thereby improving business’ bottom line.

Flexibility

While flexibility is a buzzword, the term extends past employee work patterns. It also refers to business owners that benefit from being able to scale up or down in line with the business’ needs.

Employee happiness, engagement, and work-life balance

‘The Sunday evening feeling’ or anxieties about work are well known and evidenced. Offering a flexible working solution will help to alleviate the stress and ‘grind’ of the week, minimizing the commute and providing employees with the opportunity to better utilize their time. A happy employee is, after all, a more engaged and productive one.

What makes “Metro” different?

First – space. Our spaces are some of the largest, lightest, most spacious, and well-priced in Hong Kong. The average size of our workspaces is around 7000 sq. Ft. We believe that this is the “sweet spot” that balances space to work and privacy with ample opportunity to connect and network.

Second, community. The Metro client community is a melting pot with individuals from multiple nationalities, industries, and backgrounds, thereby creating a truly interesting and stimulating atmosphere for all. Metro Workspace offers the comfort and security of a traditional office while bringing the novelty of a well-designed, fun, and refreshing environment shared by diverse clientele.

Third, convenience. We operate nine sites in diverse locations, each with its own unique features. This offers businesses the flexibility to choose the option best suited to the organizations and individual’s needs.

Finally, diversity and stability. Metro is best known for its fresh and young approach to hybrid working. What you may not know that that the brand forms part of the stable and well-established entity, the Metropolitan Lifestyle Group which was founded in 2010. In addition to providing Hong Kong’s workforce with spaces that inspire, the Group operates, residential serviced apartments, wine storage, wine cellars, and specialist food and beverage storage.

The Metro (work)space is a lifestyle!

What is your vision for Metropolitan Workspace?

We aim to become the best office solution in Hong Kong and pivot our success in Hong Kong to gradually expand across Asia and beyond. Shared workplaces are here to stay, and we believe work practices will continue to evolve. We have invested deeply in getting the basics right which enables us to be agile and respond to our client’s needs.

Which is your favourite location/property?

We believe that shared workspaces go a long way in decentralizing a city, eliminating the concept of a single “CBD” and potentially creating multiple CBD’s and play a critical role in gentrifying neighbourhoods. In addition to the popular locations of Central and Admiralty, we have vibrant workplaces located in Tsuen Kwan O, Shatin, Wong Chuk Hang and the New Territories. Each with its own unique features, it’s hard to choose one favourite property. That said, we are working on creating “the best of Metro” in our next venture, stay tuned for more on this.

Where can people find out more?

Please check out our website and feel free to contact us through one of the options listed below. Our friendly team will be happy to have a chat and show you around our premises.

Our website – www.metroworkspace.com

Email – info@metroworkspace.com

Call our General Line – 3955 8550

Entrepreneur Series with Andy Hudson, Founder and CEO, Private Jet Central.

Mellissa Wheeler — Tue, 21 Dec 2021 23:35:04 +0000

Entrepreneur Series with Andy Hudson, Founder and CEO, Private Jet Central.

You’ve had a full and productive career in the industry, do you feel you still have something to contribute to its development and future?

I’ve been lucky to have been involved in a range of areas within the industry, from brokering and asset management through to IT applications, so I would like to think that gives me a perspective worth sharing with the talented individuals at earlier stages in their careers. I’ve had challenges and failures along the way, but overcoming and moving on from these taught me just as much as the success I’ve had. I do think sharing the whole experience, and not just the good bits, when I meet people at the shows and at events is important as value.

Thinking about the ongoing situation with COVID, The initial lockdown had a major impact on our industry, how do you feel about the impact that had and the subsequent recovery?

Along with most people it was a difficult time for my own business, but I’d say what got me through, and it’s true for many others, is the fact we stuck together. I kept in touch with friends and colleagues around the world throughout the lockdowns, and we supported each other, kept making plans, kept the ideas flowing, and as soon as we could, got back to work to start implementing those ideas. While I know a number of people who did lose their jobs and found themselves in a difficult situation, many more did survive with the same kind of support. I’m currently working on a re-development plan for Koodoo airport in the Maldives, which is something that started during lockdown despite all the restrictions.

From your own experience and career, what’s the one thing you think allowed you to stay ahead of the game?

Recognise talent, both in yourself and the people you meet and work with. Don’t be frightened to look in the mirror and say “I’m better at this than other people” and use that knowledge to the full. At the same time, also be honest about what other people are better at, and use that in just the same way. I have a skill set that has served me well, and allowed me to succeed in several areas in our industry, but I don’t pretend that I could have done it all on my own. I’ve worked and collaborated with a number of very talented and capable people over the years. Embracing their talents helped me as much as exploiting my own.

What’s next for Andy Hudson?

As well as the developing and Indian island airport, I’m also working on two major investment projects, one that will offer innovative solutions for fleet ownership and one that will also allow me to expand into the luxury maritime area – something I’ve wanted to do for quite some time. The projects are in their early stages, but are an exciting addition to my portfolio, and will provide tremendous opportunities for both investors and the teams we’ll build around these businesses.

Five Emerging Trends in Digital Marketing

Mellissa Wheeler — Fri, 12 Nov 2021 02:30:29 +0000

Five Emerging Trends in Digital Marketing

If you are reading this article online, you will have encountered digital marketing in one form or another. It includes online videos, display ads, search engine marketing, social advertising, content marketing, blogs, and social media posts. Digital marketing can be contrasted to traditional or offline marketing which includes events, television, radio, newspapers, magazines, and billboards.

What is digital marketing?

In basic terms, digital marketing is the set of activities through which brands connect with customers using the internet and other forms of digital communication. Popular digital marketing channels include content marketing (blogs, articles), emails, social media, text messages, WhatsApp, and internet-based advertising (SEM). At its core, digital marketing is no different to traditional marketing in that it involves connecting with your audience at the right place and right time. It means you meet them where they are already spending time and present a message that resonates with them.

Why is digital marketing important?

A recent survey conducted by Pew Research showed that at least three in ten adults in the USA are online ‘almost constantly’, while more than eight in ten adults go online at least daily. With digital marketing, you not only target your audience where they already “hang out”, but you also target a larger audience, often at a lower cost than traditional marketing channels.

So, what are the latest trends in digital marketing? We have listed 5 below.

1. Development in ‘Augmented Reality’ technology

Augmented Reality (AR) refers to the use of digital technology to overlay information in video, text, or image format onto everyday objects in the real world. AR provides marketers with the ability to transform a static everyday object into an immersive 3D experience. While an advertisement in a magazine might provide a visual, that same image can be transformed into an engaging experience while providing customers additional information and the ability to interact with the product as if they were interacting with the object in real life. Good examples of using AR include IKEA’s AR app that allows users to put digital furniture anywhere and Amazon’s hair salon which allows users to visualize hair color and styling options before buying.

2. Artificial Intelligence

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is ubiquitous. Put simply, it is the use of computers and machines to mimic the cognitive functions of the human mind. Whilst machine learning and AI cannot replace much of the work done by creatives and marketers, they can do a lot. Owing to detailed and sophisticated algorithms, AI is evolving at a rapid rate. AI involves targeted advertising, showing products to potential clients based on previous searches. A popular and successful example of AI is Amazon’s ‘recommendations’ which contributes to over 35% of its sales. For AI to be used effectively, investment in data is key. By collecting massive data and using data analytics tools, marketers can gain valuable insights into every aspect of a business. Marketing backed by data will provide a competitive advantage. The best marketing, however, is one that intelligently combines data and AI with human insight and creativity.

3. Programmatic advertising

Programmatic advertising is the use of algorithmic software to buy digital advertising space. The use of algorithms ensures targeted advertising to segment the audience, allowing advertisers to only pay for advertisements that are delivered to the right people at the right time. This automated buying and selling of online advertising make transactions efficient and more effective.

4. Use of voice search functions

As the name suggests, voice search refers to the use of voice recognition technology in digital marketing. This feature allows users to perform searches by speaking into a device. Almost one in three adults use mobile voice search and given the convenience of just speaking into a device instead of typing, these numbers are just set to increase. Voice recognition tools eliminate the need for users to type into their devices thus allowing them to multitask while shopping. Websites optimized for voice searches not only can capture this segment of the market, but they also rank higher on search engine results.

5. Interactive content

Adding interactive content is great for users to interact with your website. Interactive content such as quizzes, polls, surveys, calculators offer a stimulating and often informative interaction with your clientele. For example, a property realtor who includes a mortgage calculator on the website offers value to purchasers while providing insights to the realtor about the purchaser. The use of live chat functions is on the rise. A recent survey reported 60% of users aged between 18-34 use live chat features on websites regularly. Live chat features speed up responses to customers, improve sales conversions and provide a personalized experience.

Ready to embrace the future in Digital Marketing?

As the all-too-common saying goes “change is the only constant in life”, this could not be truer for those in marketing, more specifically digital marketing. With technology, trends and customer preferences constantly evolving, it is imperative that brands have their finger on the pulse, stay up to date with new technologies, and be agile to embrace and implement innovation, all while keeping close and connected with customers.

Thank you for reading this blog, you may also be interested in 5 easy ways to improve SEO.

What is Aircraft Registry? The complete guide

Mellissa Wheeler — Fri, 29 Oct 2021 11:04:07 +0000

What is Aircraft Registry? A Complete Guide

If you are new to the world of civilian aircraft ownership you can be forgiven for wondering what aircraft registry is! At the Registry of Aruba, we support you every step of the way to get your private aircraft registered.

In this guide we will cover all the basics so you can understand exactly what aircraft registry is, the process involved in getting your aircraft registered and the benefits of registering outside of your home country.

What is Aircraft Registry?

Every civilian aircraft (nonmilitary plane), which includes private, business, and commercial planes, must have an aircraft registration.

An aircraft registration, also referred to as a tail number, is similar in function to a license plate or a ship registration. The same code must appear on the aircraft’s Certificate of Registration as well as the exterior of the aircraft. One registration is allowed per aircraft.
The aircraft registration is a unique identifier so the same code will only be assigned to one aircraft in the world.

Using an Aircraft Registry for Aircraft Registration

An aircraft registry is an aircraft management system that registers and tracks aircrafts. Each country has its own aircraft registry, but the registry is not limited to people with a taxable presence in the country. This means that if an individual owns a business in the United States, they can use The Registry of Aruba for aircraft registration.

Aircraft Registration with The Registry of Aruba

The Registry of Aruba is available for private, corporate, and commercial aircraft owners and operators. The maximum take-off weight for planes is 5,700 kgs and the maximum take-off weight for helicopters is 1,000 kgs.

The first step for registration is a formal email request submitted by the operator. The request should include the following information:

Aircraft location,
Potential dates for the airworthiness inspection,
Aircraft serial number and model,
Desired registration marks (if applicable), and
Completed 4.014.

Once all of the documentation has been received and the aircraft has passed the airworthiness inspection, the rest of the registration process can be completed in 24-48 hours.

Certificate of Registration

The Certificate of Registration is valid for up to 3 years or until the expiration date in the lease/management agreement.

The Registry of Aruba utilizes an online registration process, which enables a Certified True Copy of the certificate to be emailed directly to the registrant. The copy is valid for 15 days following the date of issue.

The original Certificate of Registration is sent via courier directly to the operator.

The Certificate of Registration must be available on the aircraft at all times.

Aircraft Registration Marks

Each country with an aircraft registry has an assigned unique prefix. For example, the prefix for the United States is N and the prefix for Aruba is P4. A series of 3 numbers or letters will follow the prefix. Aircraft registration marks can be designed by you or randomly selected.

As mentioned above, no aircraft registration is used more than once – it is exclusive to one aircraft only. The Registry of Aruba allows you to quickly search the database to see if a specific mark is available.

Recycling Aircraft Registration Marks

An aircraft registration mark can be recycled. After an aircraft has been decommissioned for at least 30 days, the aircraft registration mark can be reassigned. If the owner and operator remain the same, the mark can be assigned after one week. However, if an aircraft was involved in a fatal accident, the mark will not be reused.

Visual Specifications for Aircraft Registration Marks

The registration mark must be located on the fuselage, or the body, of the aircraft. The mark must be at least 12 inches high and in a sans-serif font.

Using an Aircraft Registration to Find Information

The aircraft registration can be used to search for information about a particular aircraft. According to The Points Guy, through a Google Search, you will be able to find:

when the aircraft registration certificate was awarded,
details about the engines,
where the plane has been, and
where the plane will be going

Reasons to Select an Aircraft Registry in a Different Country

While most aircrafts are registered in the jurisdiction where the owner is based, Business Aviation Advisor discusses how these circumstances may make it beneficial to register in a different country:

Privacy

Offshore registrations may be confidential, while other registrations may be a public record.

Tax Advantages

There may be tax advantages depending on the nationality of the owner and where the aircraft will be operated.

Liability

Offshore aircraft registration could reduce liability exposure.

Expedited Processing

Depending on the aircraft registry, there may be less paperwork and it may take less time to receive the Certificate of Registration.

Customer Service

Smaller aircraft registries and government entities may be able to offer better, or more individualized, customer service than larger registries.

Should you have any additional questions about aircraft registration or The Registry of Aruba, please email hello@p4registry.com

Satcom Direct named preferred connectivity supplier by Luxaviation

Mellissa Wheeler — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 23:16:58 +0000

Farnborough, UK/13 July 2021 – Satcom Direct (SD), the business aviation solutions provider, has signed a preferred supplier agreement with Luxaviation Group, one of the world’s largest business aircraft and helicopter operators. The new three-year arrangement begins with immediate effect and provides best-in-class technical connectivity solutions, superior value, and award-winning customer service to the global Luxaviation fleet.

All Luxaviation customers may now benefit from SD’s advanced technology, tailored service packages and global 24/7/365 customer support, to receive an unparalleled connectivity experience supporting streamlined functionality. The scalable offering meets the specific connectivity needs, missions, and budget requirements of each individual Luxaviation aircraft.

The agreement provides access to high-speed data to support a plethora of inflight requirements including voice, message, email, and internet services, video conferencing, multiple streaming, and high-data demand applications. In addition, SD FlightDeck Freedom® brings datalink functionality, improving situational awareness and flight deck communications for the crew. Supporting the arrangement Inmarsat’s Jet Connex and SwiftBroadband services enhance passenger productivity, or relaxation, through high-speed cabin WiFi capabilities, as well as bolstering crew operations.

“Our existing relationship with SD has already demonstrated the organization’s worth. The superior technology, combined with expert technical support, ensures excellent value and reliable, global connectivity. We wanted to work with a company that mirrors our operating philosophy and customer centric focus, and SD does that,” says Stuart Williamson, Chief Operating Officer of Luxaviation’s Business Aviation Support Services Division. “The ability to tailor the offering for each customer, and the responsive, global, pro-active customer service team, which has shown it meets and exceeds the needs of our clients, influenced our decision to switch to SD as our preferred supplier.”

SD is also working with Luxaviation to optimize the expanding suite of SD Cybersecurity solutions, accessed through SD Pro®, the digital flight operations dashboard. “Finalizing this agreement with Luxaviation highlights that our approach of creating tailored solutions, blended with genuinely expert customer service is extremely important to the end clients. We recognize value is not simply budget related, and the ability to package services to effectively support the differing requirements of an international mixed fleet, demonstrates the many advantages of the SD eco-system,” says Michael Skou Christensen, Senior Vice President, SD International. “SD puts customers first in terms of productivity, entertainment, and flight efficiency, and Luxaviation recognizes the significance of this to their successful operations. It is a tribute to our global team, their hard work, and dedication, that this deal has been ratified, and I’m extremely proud of them. I know that the team is as excited as I am to build upon this relationship and begin the next chapter with Luxaviation.”

SD named preferred connectivity supplier to Luxaviation Group

About Satcom Direct: Satcom Direct (SD) and its group of companies provides global connectivity solutions for business and general aviation, military, government, and head-of-state aircraft. The company also provides land mobile services to areas with connectivity limitations. Since 1997, SD has worked to advance the technology of global connectivity, being first to market with many new capabilities in communications. SD’s industry-leading connectivity solutions are complemented by its divisional capabilities, including SD cabin router systems and SD flight operations software. The company’s next generation of services help to synchronize the aircraft with the flight department, connecting the entire flight operation. SD’s technologies provide the most powerful integrated data platform in the industry.

A premier Inmarsat Distribution Partner, Iridium service partner, and Viasat preferred reseller, SD is also the Master Distributor of Intelsat FlexExec. SD World Headquarters and primary operations center is located in Melbourne, Florida, with additional office locations in the United States, Canada, UK, UAE, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Australia, Russia, and Brazil. For more information regarding SD, visit www.satcomdirect.com, e-mail sales@satcomdirect.com, or call U.S. +1.321.777.3000 or UK +44.1252.554.460.

About the Luxaviation Group: Since 1964, the Luxaviation Group has been tailoring private travel experiences for a global clientele. Founded by André Ganshof van der Meersch, a Belgian entrepreneur, pilot, and nobleman, our fifty plus-year history still proudly takes flight with our commitment to creating excellence through visionary, pioneering and innovative private aviation experiences.
Luxaviation Group is comprised of top-of-the line aviation brands: Luxaviation, Luxaviation Helicopters, Starspeed, and ExecuJet. Our more than 1200 employees work in an around-the-clock operation on five continents, delivering stellar service in the areas of aircraft management for private and commercial aircraft, private air charter services, and the management and operation of VIP passenger terminals in 26 airports around the globe.
Ever innovative in spirit, the group has leveraged its global perspective, carrying the value of its founder into its transformation as the world’s premier luxury experience travel company. Through the development of bespoke luxury travel packages in private jets, various ventures, fine wines, and our very own Luxaviation Client Service Training Academy, we are honored to evolve our brand in keeping with the ever-changing luxury travel landscape.

Luxaviation considers corporate sustainability as an integral part of its business strategy. The company has been integrating sustainability into their decision-making process, actively handling social and environmental concerns that surround their business, and continuously seek to improve their ways of operating.

Further information: www.luxaviation.com

Satcom Direct Media Contact Media Contacts Luxaviation
Jane Stanbury – Arena Group Juliane Thiessen
Jane@arenagroupassociates.com Luxaviation Group
+1 438 998 1668 Juliane.thiessen@luxaviation.com
+44 7803 296046 T +41 76 356 8251

Pascale Kauffman
Apollo Strategists
pascale.kauffman@apollo.lu
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JetClub flies into a sustainable future with Bye Aerospace ‘eFlyer 800’ electric aircraft

Sarah Keates — Fri, 02 Jul 2021 12:43:17 +0000

London, June 2021 – Europe’s first light jet fractional ownership brand, JetClub, has confirmed the addition of the Bye Aerospace electric eFlyer 800 to its fleet, marking a momentous milestone in sustainability for the aviation, travel and tourism industries.

An 8-seat, all electric, twin turboprop aircraft, the eFlyer 800 paves the way for the future of aviation by offering a more innovative and sustainable mode of travel. With businesses prioritising responsible travel more than ever, this all-electric option is a great solution for sustainable tourism and helps to reconcile essential business travel concerns about climate change.

JetClub CEO & Co-Founder, Vishal Hiremath commented: “Sustainability is a core pillar of the JetClub and Jet It philosophy. Innovation in this context aligns with our future vision for the group, which is toward resilient, zero emission and affordable private travel. While private aviation contributes only 0.04% of global emissions, we are working towards zero percent. The past two years of exponential growth of the brand in the US has shown us that business travel is essential to protect jobs and economies, but not at the expense of the environment. As passionate aviators, we are excited about finding solutions for the future of aviation. With the addition of the eFlyer 800 to our fleet, we take a leap forward in our sustainability goals.”

Slated to be in operation by 2025, the eFlyer’s configuration consists of up to seven passengers and one or two pilots. The eFlyer 800 will have only one-fifth the operating costs of traditional twin turboprops and is geared for the air-taxi, air-cargo, regional and charter aircraft markets.

Key features of the eFlyer 800 include up to 320 knots cruise speed, 35,000 feet ceiling and 500 nm range with 45-minute IFR reserves. Enhanced safety features include two wing-mounted electric motors, each with dual redundant motor windings, quad-redundant battery packs and a full airplane parachute. Additional features include emergency auto-landing system, artificial intelligence and an option for supplemental power solar cells and in-wheel electric taxi.

George Bye, Founder and CEO of Bye Aerospace commented “We have developed an aircraft that meets the needs of our growing global population without compromising the environment. Innovation exists to serve humanity and the planet, and we believe that electric flight is a meaningful step forward in aviation sustainability. Through the partnership with JetClub, we look forward to rolling out electric flight in Europe and Asia.”

Beyond the business aviation sector, 64% of global consumers want to travel sustainably and 76% of consumers are expected to be more concerned about sustainability after COVID*. While current methods of aviation sustainability include purchasing carbon credits to offset carbon emissions, by committing to operate the eFlyer 800, JetClub is making a paradigm shift in the way people fly sustainably in the future.

*Source: earth-changers.com

About JetClub

JetClub is an innovative business aviation company with a private jet usage model that combines the newest jet aircraft with a sharing economy to provide members with an affordable, private, fast and intelligent solution. Client members have the flexibility and convenience of owning a business jet without undergoing the traditional hassles of administration, operations and expenses. JetClub has a dedicated flight operations team to take care of pilot training, maintenance, logistics and international operations. A world class concierge team manages all travel details and provides best in class service and trip support. JetClub is co-founded by Vishal Hiremath and Glenn Gonzales for the Asia, Europe and South American regions. More information available at https://www.jetclubgroup.com.

About Jet It

Jet It utilizes a hybrid-fractional ownership model based on days – not hours – which provides owners with the freedom to use the fleet freely Jet It can customize your day as you see fit. A Jet It owner based in Chicago, IL picked up a client in Savannah, GA, flew to a meeting in Atlanta, GA, stopped in Hilton Head, SC for some fresh seafood, then flew back to Chicago, IL all in one day. This trip would have been impossible with commercial travel, incredibly expensive to charter, and impactful for an individual using a jet card program. This is one of several examples of how Jet It owners utilize their jet to increase productivity and value. More information can be obtained by visiting https://www.gojetit.com/

About Bye Aerospace

Based at Centennial Airport near Denver, Colorado, Bye Aerospace specializes in the design and manufacture of electric aircraft, including the eFlyer family of aircraft. Bye Aerospace, named “2020 Small Business of the Year” by the Aurora, Colo. Chamber of Commerce and recognized as “Most Innovative” in the 2020 Made in Colorado awards sponsored by ColoradoBiz magazine, was founded by George E. Bye, who is also the Chairman and CEO.

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SD begins airborne validation of Plane Simple™ Ku-band tail mount antenna tech system

Sarah Keates — Thu, 11 Mar 2021 06:37:04 +0000

Melbourne, FL. / 9 March 2021 – One year after announcing the launch of the Plane Simple™ Satcom Antenna Systems, Satcom Direct, the aviation solutions provider, has begun rigorous airborne testing of its advanced technology, purpose-built Ku-band tail mounted antenna system.

The transition from development to ground assessment to the aerial testing phase aims to validate the full performance capabilities of the Ku-band terminal. Inflight trials will also confirm the system’s integration with the SD ecosystem of hardware, software and supporting ground infrastructure. The antenna, which is now equipped on SD’s Gulfstream aircraft, will be stretched to the limits of its capabilities while providing empirical feedback about its functionality in an aerial environment.

“It is our company philosophy to always bring products to market that we have validated internally, and we are in a unique position to have the ability to undertake system testing on our own aircraft which gives us direct performance feedback,” says Satcom Direct Founder and CEO, Jim Jensen. “The aerial validation is the next step in becoming a single source provider of end-to-end connectivity solutions for business and government operators worldwide, which will streamline the connectivity ownership experience and customer support services.”

The aerial testing follows successful completion of intense drive testing completed in Melbourne, Florida using a customized mobile platform. SD’s investment in the hardware series is satisfying the broadening segment of the business aviation sector’s appetite for flexible, reliable, cost effective connectivity solutions. The Plane Simple tail-mounted antenna system will support super-mid to large-size jets and is being developed in partnership with Germany-based QEST, Quantenelektronische Systeme GmbH, a worldwide market leader in innovative aeronautical antennas.

“Aviation is moving toward a digital industry, and data is the foundation for informed decision making by operations, finance and maintenance departments. It is essential that we can offer powerful connectivity solutions to a much broader business aviation audience which also support enhanced data management and analytics. The start of our inflight testing within a year of announcing the hardware expansion highlights just how committed we are to meeting these market needs,” concludes Jensen.

The Plane Simple Ku-band antenna is the first in a series of antenna systems being developed by SD. As a Value-Added Manufacturer (VAM) and service provider (SP) for Iridium Certus, SD is also designing and manufacturing a Plane Simple antenna system for compatibility with the new network offering from Iridium, while also providing the service direct to the business aviation community. The company is aiming to launch a Ka-band variant tail mount antenna in 2022, followed by an electronically steered, fuselage mounted phased-array antenna which will deliver high-speed connectivity via upcoming LEO constellations.

About Satcom Direct: Satcom Direct (SD) and its group of companies provides global connectivity solutions for business and general aviation, military, government, and head-of-state aircraft. The company also provides land mobile services to areas with connectivity limitations. Since 1997, SD has worked to advance the technology of global connectivity, being first to market with many new capabilities in communications. SD’s industry-leading connectivity solutions are complemented by its divisional capabilities, including SD cabin router systems and SD flight operations software. The company’s next generation of services help to synchronize the aircraft with the flight department, connecting the entire flight operation. SD’s technologies provide the most powerful integrated data platform in the industry.

A premier Inmarsat Distribution Partner, Iridium service partner, and Viasat preferred reseller, SD is also the Master Distributor of FlexExec. SD World Headquarters and primary operations center is located in Melbourne, Florida, with additional office locations in the United States, Canada, UK, UAE, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Australia, Russia, and Brazil. For more information regarding SD, visit www.satcomdirect.com, e-mail sales@satcomdirect.com, or call U.S. +1.321.777.3000 or UK +44.1252.554.460.

www.satcomdirect.com

Media Contact:

Jane Stanbury – Arena Group
Jane@arenagroupassociates.com
+1 (438) 998 1668
+44 7803 296 046

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Entry into Service (EIS) Program from Satcom Direct helps business jet operators optimize connectivity

Sarah Keates — Mon, 04 Jan 2021 02:01:24 +0000

Satcom Direct is a business aviation connectivity solutions provider based in Melbourne, FL. To support optimization of increasingly complex connectivity solutions SD offers an Entry into Service program to help owners, operators, crew and flight departments gain a better understanding of the possibilities and capabilities of their newly installed, customized connectivity systems. Samantha Gabrial of Arena Group sat down with Josh Wheeler, senior director at SD responsible for EIS and client services to discuss the program.

What is the EIS program?

The Entry into Service, or EIS, program is a tailored workshop made available to all our customers. The aim is to help them understand the full potential of their onboard connectivity system. The training is personalised and delivered by SD EIS technical professionals and focuses on educating participants about the connectivity components, how they all link together and how to troubleshoot issues in real time. We want our customers to maximize their connectivity journey experience and this supports that goal.

How does it happen?

Training typically takes place at the SD EIS hangar at our Melbourne, FL. flight department or onsite at the customer’s location. We offer a mix of classroom sessions and on-wing demonstrations too. Of course, the current pandemic has required us to re-evaluate and adjust our methods to ensure everyone’s safety. We are fortunate to have a global presence and have adapted to offer online training so customers can maximise their time while being grounded and proactively prepare for when flying resumes.

What is taught through the program?

Since each customer and aircraft is different, our workshops are tailored to the needs of those taking the course. For instance, training given to pilots will be different than a course we deliver to maintenance teams or cabin crew. Course content includes Satcom 101, network theory (including a breakdown of VPNs), the challenges of streaming, potential service limitations (for example how weather affects connectivity), and how to troubleshoot the system. We typically offer two phases: the first is in classroom with theory that focuses on the SD ecosystem of hardware, software, and infrastructure; the second is inflight to practically apply the theory and play out scenarios.

Why does the customised training matter?

Connectivity is increasingly complex, and our solutions are tailored to meet the needs of each individual customer and aircraft. Those onboard are therefore unlikely to be familiar with the possibilities and intricacies of each system. This is why we place such a strong emphasis on providing industry leading customer support not just in the first instance, but as long as we work with a customer. It is why we have won awards for and continually invest in our customer support infrastructure, and why customers value our service.

What challenges/opportunities has COVID brought to the EIS program?

Ironically the pandemic has led to an increase in demand for the EIS workshops as while fleets have been grounded, crews and flight departments have had more time to take training. We’ve had to rethink our procedures a little to adhere to the US’ Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines so we’ve restricted the number of individuals attending the classes, adhered to safe distances and enforced the wearing of masks. These measures are both for safety and peace of mind – customers can focus on taking in information rather than worrying about exposure. We’re also offering online training for customers to virtually attend and, while it doesn’t give the same effect as our in-person training, our customers achieve similar results.

How has the training evolved since introduction?

This year we introduced the EIS VVIP program where we fly with the principal to personally guide them through the whole connectivity experience and show them how to maximise their investment. It is geared toward owners, VIPs, and CEOs who wish to dive deeper into connectivity and fully understand its potential. An SD technician will spend up to two weeks with an owner and their flight department to personally walk them through the system. Not only does this help the customer in understanding how to connect their devices and setting expectations, it also allows our team to gain a better understanding of customer trends and needs. This helps improve our products for the future.

What other benefits are there to flying with the customers?

It’s a privilege to fly with our customers so we make the most of our time with them. The first hour is spent optimizing the system, documenting firmware, and wi-fi mapping the cabin; it’s similar to having a 21-point inspection service on your car. Our next step is purposely faulting the system, turning off networking sources, and creating bottlenecks to slow down the network. This provides the opportunity to work through problems in real-time with the crew or flight department. This process is vital in reassuring the pilots and flight attendants that, in the case where they have to escalate an issue to the NOC or their flight department, they will know how to explain what the problem is, which will help us resolve the situation more quickly.

Can you share any customer stories of how the EIS VVIP service can play out?

One of the EIS team flew with a customer who managed a large hedge fund and owned a professional sports team. Through working with him to understand the limitations of live sports over a high latency link, our colleague learned he was a Coldplay fan. To showcase the capabilities of the connectivity system, he went onto Netflix and found a Coldplay concert available for streaming. The owner of the aircraft dimmed all the lights, turned up the volume, and danced around – the experience was one-of-a-kind.

How is what SD does different to what the plane manufacturers offer?

Manufacturers offer really good generic information on their connectivity systems and that can be really useful. However, the SD EIS is much more tailored to ensure that the customer is using the system that was designed for their aircraft, and specific mission, to its full potential. I think the EIS VIP customer experience really demonstrates how we go above and beyond to support the customer.

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