Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne today launches “CalMac Connects”, its new e-communications programme which will keep customers up to date with what’s happening around the Caledonian MacBrayne network.

By registering online with “CalMac Connects”, people will receive e-newsletters presenting ideas and inspiration for trips to the 24 destinations served by Caledonian MacBrayne, details of onboard services and offers, advance e-brochure previews and “View from the Bridge”, exclusive news from people around the CalMac network.

People registering online with “CalMac Connects” by 31 August 2008 will also be able to enter a prize draw for one of 10 prizes of a Caledonian MacBrayne Island Hopscotch® ticket, each up to the value of £350.

CalMac’s Marketing Manager Susan Paterson said: “CalMac Connects is the new way for people to stay in touch with CalMac and for CalMac to stay in touch with the many people who have already enjoyed a trip to the Clyde and Hebridean islands, as well as those who have yet to travel with CalMac. Customer feedback has shown that many of our customers are very loyal to CalMac and enjoy the personal touch - speaking to crew on board and to staff in terminals - and that this is a major factor in them deciding to travel with CalMac again and again. We'd now like to extend this to include all customers, building a relationship between them and CalMac and thus encourage them to take trip after trip around the CalMac network.

“Over the next few days, we’ll be sending out around 50,000 information packs, to tell people about CalMac Connects and how to register. Of course, CalMac Connects isn’t just open to existing CalMac customers. Anyone can join, simply by logging on to www.calmac.co.uk/connects . We’ll also have leaflets and posters in Caledonian MacBrayne terminals and on ferries.

“We’ve been working with a number of agency partners to launch CalMac Connects and to translate our marketing strategies into reality – The Creative Cell has produced the creative concepts, with Skye-based Sitekit Solutions providing support to our e-marketing collateral. Underpinning the programme has been the database analysis work we’ve carried out with Optima Value Group. Having spent a considerable amount of time working on our marketing strategies as part of CalMac’s tender last year, we were keen to shape the CalMac Connects programme by adopting a partnership approach.”

Ends

Note to Editors:

For further information on the contents of this News Release, please contact Susan Paterson, Marketing Manager, Caledonian MacBrayne. Tel: 07841 737 552; e-mail susan.paterson@calmac.co.uk. CalMac and Caledonian MacBrayne and trading names of CalMac Ferries Limited.

Issued: Friday 20 June 2008, 1000