VIETNAM AIRLINES JOINS SKYTEAM

Brandimage was given the mission of defining the co-branding system and integrating the new member into the alliance's brand architecture system. On June 10, 2010, Vietnam Airlines officially joined the SkyTeam global airline alliance, during a ceremony in Hanoi attended by Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung. The first Southeast Asian member adds 20 new destinations to SkyTeam’s network, significantly strengthening its reach into Asia. Following an audit of the Vietnam Airlines brand, carried out between November 2009 and March 2010, Brandimage defined the co-branding system for associating the two brands – SkyTeam and Vietnam Airlines – in order to ensure clear recognition and a strong airport presence. The agency developed the brand architecture covering all the communication elements of Vietnam Airlines: signage, architecture, publications, advertising, internet site… A complete system given to the company in the form of a book of standards. At the same time, Brandimage integrated the new member into the SkyTeam brand signature system. Brandimage has accompanied SkyTeam since its creationAt the birth of the alliance in 2000, the founding members entrusted Brandimage with the creation of the brand and its corporate identity, and then the progressive development of its territory of expression. To ensure coherence in the use of the SkyTeam identity by all the member companies with their own very diverse cultural identities, the agency put into place the tools for managing the brand and a tailor-made accompaniment for adapting to all change and evolution within the alliance over the years. Brandimage has defined the brand architecture, co-branding systems, publications, and airport presence through signage. In April 2009, the first planes to carry the SkyTeam colors took to the sky with a livery created by Brandimage with the aim of giving stronger visibility to the brand. In June 2009, the first SkyTeam premier lounge was inaugurated at London-Heathrow. This lounge marked a new step in the deployment of SkyTeam’s territory of expression, and with its creation Brandimage ensured fidelity with SkyTeam’s baseline “Caring more for you”: 1,600 square meters dedicated to well-being and relaxation, reflecting the attention that SkyTeam gives to its clients. SkyTeam celebrates its tenth anniversaryOn June 22, 2010, the CEOs and Chairmen of SkyTeam gathered in New York to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the alliance. During this first decade SkyTeam has tripled its membership to offer customers easier connections across all continents. Brandimage created all branding elements for this celebration. Vietnam Airlines, a strategic partner for the allianceAs part of the joining ceremony, attended by Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, senior government officials and representatives from SkyTeam member airlines, Vietnam Airlines unveiled its first aircraft in SkyTeam livery to commemorate its membership in the alliance. “The joining today reaffirms Vietnam Airlines’ position as a major carrier in the Southeast Asian region as well as a strategic partner of SkyTeam,” said Dr. Pham Ngoc Minh, President and CEO of Vietnam Airlines. “Our cooperation will help further develop SkyTeam and its member airlines, generating valuable benefits for our passengers and making greater contributions to the international economic integration of Vietnam.” “We are proud to welcome the first carrier from Southeast Asia in our midst today,” said Leo van Wijk, Chairman of the SkyTeam Governing Board. “Asia is an important and strategic growth market for SkyTeam, and we are well on track to strengthen our network offering in this part of the world. Together with our current members China Southern and Korean Air and future member China Eastern, Vietnam Airlines brings us closer to becoming the leading alliance for Asia. By adding 20 new destinations to the SkyTeam network, the joining of Vietnam Airlines marks an important step in this direction.” 

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About Vietnam AirlinesAs the national flag carrier of Vietnam, Vietnam Airlines is headquartered in Hanoi and flies 75 routes to 20 domestic and 26 international destinations with more than 290 daily flights. Operating a young fleet of 70 modern aircraft, mainly including Boeing 777, Airbus A330, A321/320s, the airline expects to further expand its fleet to 115 and 165 aircraft by 2015 and 2020, respectively. www.vietnamairlines.com

About SkyTeamSkyTeam is a global airline alliance providing customers from member airlines access to an extensive global network with more destinations, more frequencies and more connectivity. Passengers can earn and redeem Frequent Flyer Miles throughout the SkyTeam network, and SkyTeam member airlines offer customers over 415 lounges worldwide. The thirteen members are: Aeroflot, Aeroméxico, Air Europa, Air France, Alitalia, China Southern, Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Kenya Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air, TAROM Romanian Air Transport and Vietnam Airlines. SkyTeam offers its 395 million annual passengers a worldwide system of approximately 13,000 daily flights to 898 destinations in 169 countries. SkyTeam celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2010. www.skyteam.com