BA, London Midland and in-flight romance
Wallets go mobile
The days of a mobile phone being able to make the toast are surely not far away as a major high street bank launched an app that allows you to transfer money from your bank account to someone else, all via a mobile phone number. Before your mum tells you that technology is moving too fast, this isn’t new. In fact Europe and the UK in particular are dragging their heels when it comes to transferring money via mobile phone compared to the developing world. Find out more about the Barclay’s Pingit here.
Tweeting tragedy
The speed and ease of twitter postings caused some reputational damage this week for train operator London Midland who advised their followers to ‘go to the pub’ after disruption to services was caused by a train hitting, and killing someone. Whilst @LondonMidland chief tweeter claimed they didn’t mean to offend, the reality of the need for sensitivity in all social media activity will have been made loud and clear by this kind of media reaction.
Winning the social media integration race
British Airways’ new campaign ‘The Race’ which showcases the airline’s role in the London 2012 Olympics enjoyed a Facebook premier at the end of last week, and is now boosting its online credentials with additional ‘making of’ videos and behind the scenes information on how the new ads were filmed all available to view on Facebook. If you haven’t seen it, it’s a good un.
Romance is in the air
As it was the week of Valentine’s Day there has to be a romantic link in this week’s round up – take a look at WeMetOnAPlane, a new site allowing people who feel a spark with someone they meet on a flight to track them down later. The founder, who met his girlfriend on a flight, has done his homework and found that there are thousands of google searches made by those trying to track down someone they met in the air. Fingers crossed they will screen the first WeMetOnAPlane wedding live on their website when it happens.
And finally….
Have a look at the twitter feed apparently from the BBC canteen @KillingStation, parodying the name of the BBC’s café the Filling Station. You’ll spot jokes at the expense of all the BBC’s major presenters, particularly those from the newsroom, just don’t look whilst you’re eating.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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