Rico is hanging with The Hoff

Air New Zealand’s furry friend to the stars, Rico, has today launched his new series of celebrity YouTube interviews, with David Hasselhoff the first to experience Rico’s cheeky interrogation style in the hot seat that is the Air New Zealand Skycouch.

The Hoff lived up to his reputation as an entertainer, revealing that he found it hard doing mouth to mouth scenes with his female Baywatch colleagues, and that he far prefers being known as David Hasselhoff than The Hoff.

The Hoff’s popularity has reached new heights in recent times having just finished being a judge in the UK hit Britain’s Got Talent, while his next TV foray will be playing the role of an ‘adult film’ star in the US show Sons of Anarchy. The show’s current series features well known kiwi actor Joel Tobeck.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLq1XR88EtQ

Rico’s full interview with The Hoff can be found on his YouTube channel www.youtube.com/airnewzealand

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moiXgCuzpFM

During the filming of the series last month, David Hasselhoff, E! News host Giuliana Rancic and actor Lindsay Lohan each lounged around with Rico on the Air New Zealand Skycouch.

The Hoff was gifted a pair of jet-black speedos with the word “Kiwi” emblazoned across the rear, while Giuliana was surprised with an All Blacks T-shirt. Lindsay’s gift will be revealed in early August when her interview goes to air.

During filming, The Hoff voiced his appreciation for the great service Air New Zealand cabin crew provide during his regular travel between Los Angeles and London, in which he only ever flies Air New Zealand.

As part of Rico’s new series, Air New Zealand is the first Kiwi company to run an online retail campaign integrated within video content on YouTube, offering those who visit Rico’s YouTube channel and watch the video the opportunity to enjoy discounts on some of the airline’s key international routes, starting with flights between Los Angeles and London. Offers will differ with each

YouTube Australia & New Zealand Head of Media Solutions Karen Stocks says Air New Zealand is continuing to push marketing boundaries.

"Air New Zealand is one of our most innovative advertisers on YouTube and the Rico campaign has been a worldwide success on our video platform," says Mrs Stocks.

Air New Zealand General Manager Marketing Mike Tod says Rico’s global popularity coupled with increased interest in Air New Zealand’s award winning in-flight products and service, particularly in the United States, is an ideal platform to begin exploring online retail campaigns integrated within video content on YouTube.

“Social commerce is in its relative infancy. As Air New Zealand continues to the push the boundaries of social media engagement, we’re creating the opportunity to capitalise on the tens of millions of people who have engaged with the airline and may now be interested in travelling on us,” says Mr Tod.

“Much like the internet first opened up the opportunity to sell directly to customers via a company website, so too do many of the social media channels that have now become a part of our everyday lives.

“For a small airline at the bottom of the world we could never afford to reach so many potential customers through traditional marketing channels. The opportunity for both Air New Zealand and New Zealand’s tourism industry is huge.”

Gossip about last month’s filming, particularly with Lindsay, has already reached more than 60 million people via twitter and mainstream media.