Instant recall

Peter Pan. Vanessa Williams. Jacqueline Kennedy. JLo. They may be well-known but they don’t usually elicit extra interest. Until you realise that they are actually industry executives. Ruby Gonzalez comes across three more who just happen to have famous namesakes.

Brangelina

ANGELINA Wong, Marketing and PR manager for Hong Kong, has been with Virgin Atlantic (VS) for ten years now. Last January, a new country manager, Brad West, came onboard after a stint in Lagos as director of Sales and Outstations.

It took almost half a year and Sydneysider Erick, the talking robotic dog, to unleash the marketing jewel in Virgin Atlantic’s midst. In a press conference in June, the two were collectively introduced by Erik as Brangelina, which was an immediate hit.

VS’s creative agency developed Erik’s script. “It was the first time we’ve used this term and we are still waiting to explore more opportunities to use ‘Brangelina’ in the future,” said Tammy Chan, VS PR & Marketing assistant manager.

Jackie O.

THE surname was already there; it was a temptation too much for her mother to resist. She was a fashionista who went for the classic, elegant lines epitomised by the former US first lady. And she was choosing a name for her daughter.

“I believe I was born in the era where Jackie O. was in the news a lot. My mum admired her for her grace, style and elegance, but also for her strength mostly, after all that she had been through. And she probably wished I could grow up to be a remarkable lady some day. Jackie O’s fashion statements also caught my mum’s attention being a fashionista herself,” said Jacqueline Ow, event manager of EventClicks group ltd. in Hong Kong.

Ow rarely introduces herself as Jackie O. but she is warming up fast to the idea. “I hope it gives recognition for the company. When they think of a Jackie O working in EventClicks, they remember how Jackie O’s known for entertaining and her great hosting skills and only expect events of a certain level of quality,” she said.

It is a name that could also stir up a bit her after five life. “Do you think I’ll get preferential first lady treatment?” she asked. And it wouldn’t be bad at all if someone asks her, “Can I be your JFK?” Or AO?