Cheil wins global digital and social media mandate for Etihad Airways

The network will look at Etihad's strategy and creative across all digital and social channels, and support it with performance-based marketing, analytics and reporting.

Cheil Network has won the global digital and social media mandate for Etihad Airways. The agency network won the mandate for the national airline of United Arab Emirates (UAE) after a multi-agency pitch process.

Cheil will now be responsible for Etihad Airways' strategy and creative across all digital and social channels. The agency will also support Etihad Airways with performance-based marketing, analytics and reporting.

Etihad Airways will be served by Cheil's global network of specialisms, with its digital specialist, The Barbarian Group, taking primary responsibility for driving best-in-class digital and social marketing for the airline.

Shane O'Hare, senior vice president, marketing, Etihad Airways, says, "Digital is at the core of our marketing and Cheil's strong global team demonstrated a perfect blend of creative ambition and strategic thinking, with ideas that reflected our brand values and personality. They will also bring a high level of sophistication to our performance marketing, through their analytical skills and understanding of the latest industry technology. That makes them the right agency partner for the next phase of Etihad Airways' growth."

Lotta Malm Hallqvist, Cheil's global vice president, says, "We want to work with innovative brands that are poised for global growth in the next decade. Etihad Airways is one of those brands. We look forward to elevating the airline to be the top digital and social brand in its category by delivering strategically informed, inspirational creative work."