LAX Gives Holiday Travelers a Doggie Destress!

Christmas and airports are usually thought to be a chaotic mix.  SO many people traveling at once, so much luggage and so many flight delays.  ARGH!  It's enough to stress out even the most zen-focused yogi!  

United Airlines has a solution for us and it's just about the cutest thing you've ever seen.  The program is called "United Paws" and is bringing more than 200 dogs to seven of the airline's hubs through Wednesday.

Yes, dogs!! Research shows that five minutes spent with a dog can decrease stress hormones and lower blood pressure.  So, the #UnitedPaws pups are specially trained "comfort dogs" and are led around the terminals by handlers so that stressed fliers can pet and play with the pooches!  

LAX will host the furry friends, as well as terminals in Chicago, Washington, Denver, Houston, Newark and Cleveland. There are already tons of Twitter and Facebook pics of travelers cuddling up with the sweet doggies.  It is enough to make me want to buy a last minute ticket somewhere!!  But don't worry if you aren't flying this Christmas.  LAX is funding a similar program, called Pets Unstressing Passengers (PUP), throughout the year!

And now, just for cuteness sake, here's some pics of the sweet doggies and their traveling friends. Happy travels!

The Social Media Holiday Cheer Award Goes To....

One of my favorite things in the digital scene during the holidays are the creative campaigns and acts of good cheer that people post!  And I am awarding my first ever Social Media Holiday Cheer Award!! This act transforms one of the worst things that can happen in a day to one of the best.

Ever been pulled over?  Not that I have (wink wink) but I would imagine that the feeling you get in your stomach when you see police lights behind your car is TERRIBLE.  Well, in Lowell, Michigan, the local police teamed up with UPtv (short for Uplifting TV) to transform that experience. 

The police pulled over drivers on a snowy afternoon for supposed traffic violations.  The video then shows the drivers getting out their license and registration while the police office makes small talk with them, namely about what they or their children want for Christmas.  Then, in an incredible sneak attack, the officer stalls the fake ticketing process long enough to radio to his co-workers at the nearby toy store who bring the exact wish-list gift!  Instead of getting a traffic ticket, the unassuming drivers get a wonderful holiday surprise!

The video is awesome and guaranteed to make you smile!!

Have you found other uplifting stories on social media this holiday season?  Share them below!!  Maybe I'll award another Social Media Holiday Cheer Award next week!

Online Engagement + Offline Action = Branding Win

Everyday, brands strive to create authentic, meaningful interactions with their customers.  Social Media has helped brands to do this on a larger scale.  But sometimes there is no comparison for good old fashioned, hitting-the-streets!  Creatively weaving off-line engagement into a campaign can create amazing results. 

Drum roll, please, for the best example I have seen of this- probably all year.

WestJet's Christmas Miracle Video.  I hadn't even HEARD of WestJet before today.  They fly mostly in Canada but also throughout the US and Mexico.  But this creative campaign of theirs found a direct route to my heart.  And not just mine!  The video has been viewed almost 2 million times in less than 48 hours.

If you haven't seen the video yet, the airline has an engaging online "live" Santa Claus that asks customers for their Christmas wishes as they approach the gate.  Within the time of the flight, WestJet pulls a Christmas Miracle and delivers the desired gifts to the passengers once they reach their destination!  The online/offline hybrid campaign has been a huge success for WestJet and the company's followup through Twitter has been equally impressive.  The company Twitter handle (@WestJet) is personally replying to tweets referencing the great ad and also coming up with the wittiest sayings to promote the video.

What a clever, fun and smart use of an advertising budget and Holiday campaign!  It's my favorite of the year!

Do you have any other favorite holiday campaigns?  Tell us below!