Menke's magic

It's no suprise Republic has named Sean Menke to head marketing for both Frontier and Midwest, who are now officially subsidiaries of the US regional operator.

While Menke was on the executive team at Air Canada the carrier introduced several initiatives inclucing a la carte pricing and subscription packages, which allowed passengers to pay for an unlimited number of flights for three-to-six months.

Frontier's wild animals on the tails of its aircraft have won a large following in its hometown Denver market.

But Menke has a challenge in re-establishing the credibility of Midwest. Republic CEO Bryan Bedford has said the distress Midwest has undergone during the last 12 months has resulted in some erosion to the Midwest brand, and the carrier needs to relaunch service to the places customers want to fly.

Menke's assumption of responsibility for marketing is a continuation of pattern. Bedford has always surrounded himself by shrewd people. The majority of Repubic's managment team has been intact for close to the last decade.

Bedford also hinted during an interview with Airline Business in July during the hype surrounding Southwest's bid for Frontier that if Southwest succeeded in acquiring the carrier Menke would be "welcome to come here and lend us his expertise".

Well Republic eventually acquired Frontier, but Menke's expertise is still welcome.

Today Bedford said : Sean brings us a strong track record of developing innovative revenue management strategies at Frontier and Air Canada. In his role of managing the entire brand business for Republic, that experience will be invaluable."