Duo appoints former Orange boss as sales and marketing director

New airline Duo has appointed former Orange marketer Rob Rees as its sales and marketing director. Rees, who has held interim marketing appointments at both Orange and Campbell’s Soups, will oversee commercial strategy at the airline. Duo was created by a management buyout of what was previously Danish airline Maersk Air, and began flying last November.

Rees reports to chief executive Peter Spencer and is reported to by head of marketing Duncan Osborne.

Rees was interim brand director at Orange. He reported to vice-president of marketing Jeremy Dale. Rees has also held senior marketing positions at Vodafone and PepsiCo.

Duo’s advertising is handled by Sutton Coldfield-based WAA. The agency created a &£2m regional television, radio, outdoor and taxi campaign for the airline’s launch, with the strapline: “From November 1st the world will be a nicer place.”

The airline targets business travellers and holidaymakers in season. It offers on-board catering, free newspapers, leather seats, seat allocation and a “Privilege” product including a lounge and hotline.

Duo flies from Birmingham and Edinburgh to a number of continental destinations, including Geneva, Lyon, Milan and Stuttgart. It positions itself as an airline offering a premium service at economy rates. It launched new services from Edinburgh this week to Munich and Nice.