BURLINGAME, Calif., Sept. 12, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Virgin America, a new U.S.-based start-up airline, has named Pace Communications and Spafax Airline Network as lead content suppliers on its inflight entertainment (IFE) team. The airline previously announced team members including CoKinetic Systems Corporation, IMS, Inflight Canada, Panasonic Avionics, and Wunderman.
Pace will manage all aspects of video entertainment programming, including relationship development and implementation with all major film studios, television production entities and music video producers. In addition, Pace will lead the coordination and logistics management activities for all video materials
Spafax will handle all audio aspects, including customized programming, relationships with the recording industry and record labels, and the logistical support between other audio content suppliers.
Together with Virgin America, the entire team seeks to deliver the most innovative and sophisticated IFE experience available for customers.
Charles Ogilvie, Virgin America's Director, Inflight Entertainment & Partnerships, said the content team member additions will execute upon the airline's guest-centric strategy: "Pace and Spafax give us the ability to execute content relationships that deliver tremendous value to our guests. Their time is important and we've used a clean-slate design approach for every aspect of the experience, including how we approach content. We are thrilled to have these firms as team members."
George Stearns, Chief Operating Officer, said: "Pace is ecstatic about partnering with Virgin America to redefine the IFE experience. The innovative content relationships we have developed will make a positive statement in the market place and provide customers with a very compelling product."
Niall McBain, Chief Executive Officer, Spafax, said: "Spafax is very excited and cannot wait until Virgin America launches. Audio has always been an important element of the inflight experience. With Virgin America's customized system, it will allow us to deliver a truly unprecedented audio experience with more choice and control than found anywhere else."
Virgin America anticipates announcing additional IFE team members, content relationships and strategic partners in the near future.
About Pace Communications
For more than thirty years, Pace Communications has been producing results-driven, award-winning custom magazines for some of the most recognizable names in the corporate and non-for-profit sectors. Founded and owned by Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, the current chair of the American Red Cross, Pace is based in Greensboro, N.C. Pace Communications can be found on the Web at www.pacecommunications.com.
About Spafax
Spafax Airline Network (www.spafax.com) is a recognized leader in inflight entertainment & passenger communications, providing branded content through Movies, TV, audio & interactive entertainment and publishing, marketing, and media services to over 60 airlines worldwide. Spafax has a global staff of 100 employees located in London, Montreal, Toronto, California, Santiago de Chile, Dubai, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. Spafax is a wholly owned subsidiary of the WPP Group plc.
About Virgin America
Virgin America, a "new generation" low-fare airline, intends to launch scheduled domestic airline service early in 2007 upon government approval. U.S.-owned and operated, Virgin America is based at San Francisco International Airport and has placed firm orders for 34 Airbus A320 aircraft. Aspiring candidates can visit www.virginamerica.com to learn more about joining the Virgin America team.
The Virgin America logo is available at http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2371