News
Pace Communications Wins Delta Air Lines’ Star Award - Supplier of the Year, Women Owned Business
Greensboro, NC (May 20, 2010) — At a ceremony April 23, Pace Communications was presented with Delta Air Lines’ prestigious Star Award – Woman Owned Business of the year for 2009. Delta Air Lines’ Supply Chain Management Organization each year presents small, minority- and women-owned businesses that have distinguished themselves by attaining superior achievements in business operations. This is the third time that Pace has won the award. In addition to 2009, Pace was also honored in 2000 and 2007.
In order to name a winning supplier, Delta reviews and compares supplier performance in six critical focus areas. These key performance areas are:
• Cost Reduction/Savings—Demonstrated cost benefit to Delta stakeholders through cost savings;
• Quality & Reliability—Quality level of goods/services provided;
• Innovation—Demonstration of innovation and value-added approach. Process improvements and efficiencies, etc.;
• Delivery—Delivery of goods or services per contract specifications;
• Relationship—Interaction with Delta and Delta partners;
• Outreach/Community Involvement—Advocacy and participation in diversity initiatives and community activities.
Pace Communications provides strategy-development, content-acquisition, production, website and logistics-management services for all Delta Air Lines in-flight entertainment services. Delta operates the world’s largest fleet, with 738 aircraft in total. Over 500 aircraft offer in-flight entertainment services, including 258 featuring digital, on-demand systems by Panasonic Avionics Corporation.
Delta cited Pace’s continued drive to provide best-in-class in-flight entertainment services for its customers while simultaneously lowering key costs, most notably content-licensing and media-replication expenditures. In 2009, with key strategic development support from Pace, Delta launched the following products:
• Increased number of feature films offered on most international routes
• Exclusive Showtime Content Partnership
• Expanded Arabic and Chinese content offerings
“Pace has consistently exceeded expectations in all aspects of service, whether it be cost reductions, value identification and delivery, or customer-service enhancement opportunities,” Kristen Burton, Manager – Supply Chain Management.
Chris Babb Senior Product Manager, Inflight Entertainment at Delta Air Lines commented: “Working closely with the Pace team has been a very positive experience. The attention to detail and the service level we receive are outstanding. We are very pleased to have a supplier that continually serves as an external advocate for Delta and by extension our customers. In these challenging economic times, Pace understands the importance in reducing costs in all areas while minimizing impact to the customer. The innovative solutions they have developed have improved the experience for our valued passengers.”
A long-time leader in in-flight media, Pace Communications publishes Southwest Airlines Spirit, US Airways Magazine (formerly Attaché) and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts Four Seasons Magazine—three of the most award-winning magazines in the nation. The publications reach more than six million readers a month. In addition to magazines and electronic in-flight media, Pace’s multimedia offerings include VIP Clubs, Meal Tray Cards and other integrated marketing products. Pace provides video entertainment programming for United Airlines, Air Force One and all Air Force special missions’ aircraft.