At first glance it may not be obvious what Hong Kong-born kung fu movie star Jackie Chan has in common with renowned contemporary architect Frank Gehry, but the answer was revealed at the show this afternoon.
Chan was unveiled at Embraer's press conference as a Legacy 650 customer and the Brazilian manufacturer's first "brand ambassador", while Bombardier has signed up Gehry in a similar role as the face of its "I am Global" marketing campaign.
The Canadian manufacturer is an old hand at the ambassadorial game, having previously recruited celebrities such as last-man-on-the-Moon Gene Cernan, Formula 1 racing sensation Lewis Hamilton and Hollywood A-lister John Travolta to formally endorse its business jets.
Embraer Executive Jets president Ernest Edwards said the airframer was "exceptionally excited" to have secured the services of Chan. "His worldwide prestige makes him an ideal brand ambassador for Embraer Executive Jets," he said.
Chan himself said he believed that China had become "a very important market for executive aircraft, and I am honored to be a part of Embraer's efforts in my home country".
Gehry, meanwhile, joins maestro Valery Gergiev and classical pianist Lang Lang in representing Bombardier Business Aircraft's flagship Global brand. His works of contemporary architecture include the titanium-covered Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, the Cinematheque francaise in Paris and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles.
"Each Global aircraft is like a work of art, and I can truly appreciate the design and craftsmanship that goes into building these amazing aircraft," said Canadian-born Gehry.
Source: Flight Daily News
