Virgin Australia Announces New Velocity Frequent Flyer Division and Appoints CEO
03-Apr-2012 Virgin Australia today announced that it would create a separate division for its Velocity Frequent Flyer program, which would be led by newly appointed Chief Executive Officer, Neil Thompson.
With over 20 years experience in loyalty, direct marketing programs and aviation, Mr Thompson will join the organisation in August 2012 and will manage the Velocity Frequent Flyer program as a stand-alone business unit, reporting directly to Virgin Australia CEO John Borghetti.
Mr Borghetti said: "Velocity Frequent Flyer remains a key growth opportunity for our business. We have done a lot of work over the past 18 months to create a solid foundation for the Frequent Flyer program. The next stage will be to position it as the leading loyalty program in Australia and as a key driver of future earnings. This appointment, along with the other internal changes, enables us to capitalise on the significant earnings growth potential through third-party partnerships and improved participation of our frequent flyers.
"The appointment of Neil Thompson as the first CEO of Velocity Frequent Flyer highlights our commitment to growing the Velocity Frequent Flyer business. Neil's wealth of experience in loyalty and direct marketing programs, together with his extensive senior executive management career in the travel and aviation industries, will prove a great asset to Virgin Australia.
"The Velocity Frequent Flyer program is critical to Virgin Australia's goal of becoming the airline of choice in Australia and we are confident this new structure will help us achieve that", Mr Borghetti said.