Virgin fly to Basra

I suppose the fact I couldn’t even begin to describe what Rod Eddington or Lord Marshall look like speaks volumes about Branson’s love of PR. He must be one of the most recognised Chief Exec’s in the world ?

Yeah, but if Rod Eddington or Lord Marshall had been on the notional BA flight and had made sure the TV crews were there, it would have been billed as a PR event too.

Branson is a man who knows the value of good PR and publicity, I don’t think even he would deny the Basra flight was good for his airline’s image.

If he’s simply flown a plane out there just for the hell of it then that would have been different but at least it was loaded up with vital supplies and aid. It also made the point that civil flights can now be handled by the airport albeit under it’s military run current status.

I can’t help thinking though if BA or any other airline had done it we’d just be looking at the story as one of a western airliner being used to ferry aid to Iraq and not a PR stunt.

Hear Hear, Saab.

So you don’t think that the man who drove a tank down 5th Avenue, dressed up as Elvis, went naked on stage or publicly has gone up against Coca Cola, EMI and BA, just purely flew to Basra out of the kindness out of his heart? There was no media manipulation involved considering he wants to fly to Iraq or has been constantly in the news for the last few weeks? Ok, I agree that it was very nice of him to fly to Iraq (laden with media personnel) to help the people, it was a good gesture, but I just cannot understand how you cannot see it as a “kill two birds with one stone” publicity stunt.

And who said we were criticising him? I think Branson is a genius and I very much like him. He publicly works magic with his flamboyant trademark of outlandish publicity stunts. But honestly, it is rather obvious that his kind act and constant media coverage in many ways is just for publicity. Even Branson has stated,
“Using yourself to get out and talk about it is a lot cheaper and more effective than a lot of advertising”
So why should him flying into Basra or fighting for Concorde be any different?

Couldn’t have put that any better myself, Andrew. Many say this is a publicity stunt, not a bad thing to seek publicity, but it seems the poor chap is being criticised or put down for just about all his actions.

No it just seems to me that anything that RB does is very much considered a publicity stunt. As if to say hes only doing these things to get good PR for his franchise, rather than him actuallay wanting to do these things.

Just my opinion. I feel sorry for the guy. He tries hard to accomplish his goal, and when he does, he is put down by others.

The point is that everything has an element of publicity to it. That isn’t a criticism – why do you assume it is?

It seems though, that everything Richard Branson does, is Criticised! Going round the world in a balloon — Just a publicity stunt?

Getting his hands on concorde —- Just a publicity stunt!?! I f Hooters Air wanted to get their hands on a concorde, NOW THATS WHAT I WOULD CALL A PUBLICITY STUNT….I belive that RB really wants to make a go of operating concorde. Just to say at this point I know everyone has their own opinion!

And as for delivering aid out to Iraq… JUST A PUBLICITY STUNT?????????? Good god! Do really think this is something that he didn’t want to do? He just thought “well if I do, do this run to Iraq, people will love me and wnat to go on my airline, and have everything to do with me? When you think about it though…. it shouldn’t have been RB doing this sort of work, BA should have done some of the humanitarian runs to Iraq… they are the UK national airline aferall…!

How’s it a publicity stunt?

Because it was clearly a “kill two birds with one stone” effort, with VS benefitting from the publicity and The Bearded Wonder giving interviews and trying to milk it a little. I’m not blaming him though, it was still an effective aid effort.

By the by, BA stil have the landing rights at Baghdad, so VS may have a fight on their hands!

Exactly, even if it were a publicity “stunt” which I don’t believe it is, the mission itself was carried out brilliantly.

And what ? Even if it’s a publicity stunt , he just did it right?

I guess that many other should copycat a bit!!!

How’s it a publicity stunt? The country is in desperate need of aid; hospital equipment and food etc and this needs to get it’s way to Iraq somehow. I cannot see how Mr. Branson offering to fly the supplies is seeking publicity? How is this going to benefit him or his airline?

I’m confused.

a good video the A330 – First direct flight i.e.not via Cyprus too. Should be interesting to see if BA are going to try and compete now…

Although yes another publicity stunt…i still respect Sir Bransons effort. Well done!

I can imagine the squaddies greeting all those “senior virgins” and “trainee virgins” on the tarmac!!

Sure it was a bit of publicity but a nice gesture anyhow.

I think that’s great news. Richard Branson is a true gentlemen and he choice for a Captain couldn’t have been better. I’m not sure Iraqis would have any idea as to who is/was, but his presence would have excited soldiers in Iraq.