Alaska Airlines Channels Men Without Hats Classic, In Fun New Safety Video

Alaska Airlines has injected a bit of fun into its new safety briefing, sprinkled with a pinch of nostalgia, with the North American airline reviving the Men Without Hats classic, ‘Safety Dance’.
Alongside convincing people to fly across a continent hit tremendously hard by the coronavirus comes the need to convince them that, when the time is right, it is safe to do so.
Instead of presenting this message in a straightforward format, Alaska Airlines has turned what could have been a run-of-the-mill explainer into a fun, memorable campaign that aims to inform consumers on what policies it has put in place to ensure they are safe from infection when they fly.
It’s up for debate as to whether this form of safety briefing is more digestible than your standard one, but it sure is engaging and makes for great entertainment, even if it may be slightly corny and just a little bit cringeworthy.
Alaska Safety Dance was directed by Warren Fu who is known for his work with artists that include Dua Lipa, The Weeknd, Daft Punk and HAIM. The video was choreographed by Anna Matuszewski, who is known for her work with Macklemore.
“It was refreshing to work on a project with some much needed levity after such a challenging year,” Fu said in a statement.
“You can highlight the importance of safety and still have fun with it. I hope the uplifting energy and enthusiasm showcased by our Alaska Airlines employee talent brings a smile to people’s faces.”
The faces behind the masks are Alaska Airlines’ very own staff.
The airline explained that employees were chosen for the video in a variety of ways, including a few from its Alaska Flight Attendant Drill Team—who dance through the streets of Seattle for the Torchlight Parade and other events around the country to represent the company.
Others were chosen based on workgroups, ability and willingness to dance, and leader nominations.

Image source: Alaska Airlines
To prepare, Alaska’s employees were given videos of the choreography in advance and asked to practice at home prior to arriving on set.
“I’ve never danced before in my life,” Michael, a ground service agent at Horizon Air, said in a statement. “I focused on working hard at rehearsal and doing my best to keep up. I kept practicing the moves in order to successfully pull this all off.”
The day prior to filming, employees did a full eight-hour dress rehearsal where the group perfected the moves with the choreographer.
Filmed over two full days in Alaska’s Boeing cabin trainer and the Alaska Maintenance Hangar in Seattle, Alaska said that employees did a phenomenal job showcasing its safety measures in a memorable way.
A production crew of approximately 40 people followed strict safety measures including everyone being COVID tested, masks had to be worn at all times and onsite COVID compliance officers made sure everyone was keeping safety top of mind.
“From the director, to the choreography, the cameras, the music, makeup and hair artists and so on it was like being on the set of a movie,” Natalie, a Horizon Air flight attendant in Seattle, who also starred in the video, said in a statement.
“Everyday was filled with excitement and anticipation. It was very professional, well organised and definitely on my top 10 things in life that I have been a part of.”
“It was such an honour to be part of this campaign,” Orly, an Alaska flight attendant, who was in the video, said. “I have so much pride in this company and it was amazing to get to represent Alaska.”
Please login with linkedin to comment
Alaska AirlinesLatest News

Google Has “No Real Choice” But To Disable Search In Australia If Media Code Legislation Is Passed
If Google turns off search in Australia, B&T can no longer guarantee outright plagiarism of other media sites.

Cannes Lions Jury Has Highest Representation Of Women In Festival’s History
In arguably bad news for ladder, chainsaw and ute ads, Cannes now boasts it's biggest number of female judges.

Bush Heritage Honours Heroes Of Bush Conservation In Latest Campaign
Here's one of those nice stories B&T likes to run. Makes a refreshing change from our usual evil & gutter journalism.

Australian Open Controversy No Cause For Concern For Sponsors
Could Nick finally do the nation proud at this year's Oz Open? Or will he bow out early in a huffy tantrum as usual?

Get On The Beers: BrewDog To Gift Brewery To Mashd N Kutcher If They Chart In Triple J’s Hottest 100
As a warning, if you're unaware of the Mashd N Kutcher song then this story will make little to no sense.

TV Host Jimmy Kimmel Farewells Trump With Glorious Spoof Send-Off Video
Admit it, much like the Sizzler restaurant chain, Gangnam Style & chlamydia you're going to miss the Donald, aren't you?

Can’t Cook Pasta Al Dente? Barilla Now Has Spotify Playlists That’ll Help
With all due respect, surely the perfect tune to cook pasta al dente would have to be Joe Dolce's 'Shaddap Your Face'.

Outdoor Industry Launches First $3M Pro Bono Health Campaign For Department Of Health
B&T's always happy to report on the industry doing good. Except if it requires a financial donation on our part.

Facebook Launches Mardi Gras Parade Viewing Events Grants Program
It's mid-January & that means two things: abandoning all New Year resolutions & the start of Mardi Gras stories on B&T.

Zenith Appointed To SBS’ Performance Media Account
Surely this SBS news would be more appropriate in Flemish or Hungarian, yet, sadly, it's all in English, we're afraid.

IMG Wins Asian Television Award For NBL20 Grand Final Series
Admittedly, we're not huge basketball fans here at B&T. Although we always enjoyed OJ Simpson's movies.

Wunderman Thompson Launches Annual Future 100 Report
New report says immunity wellness, cloud gaming & micropreneurs are in & storming the Capital dressed as a viking's out.

Google Agrees To Pay For News Content In France
Google has agreed to pay for news content in France. Says snail recipes & hatred of the English will remain free.

Enigma Snares CHEP’s Emma Ashworth For Group Account Director Role
Sure, CHEP may be churning them out but everyone else in the industry is reeling them in. As you'll read here.

What It Takes To Help Build Brand Trust Online In 2021
Is online brand trust on your 2021 "must do" list? Move it above "office fridge clean out" with these expert tips.

Mumpower Launches Inaugural ‘Vote On Purpose’ Australian Business Awards
To celebrate brands going “above and beyond to act with purpose”, Mumpower has announced its first-ever consumer choice awards. The ‘Vote on Purpose’ Australian Business Award 2021 aims to crown Australia’s favourite purpose-driven company, with Mumpower now calling on both corporations and Mum shoppers to nominate a value-led company or a specific brand campaign that […]

BREAKING: Justin Drape Departs The Monkeys
B&T delivers a breaking news industry scoop. And, trust us, this time we're 79.98% certain it's even correct.

Outbrain Signs Three-Year Deal With Australian Community Media
Outbrain signs deal with Australian Community Media. Discover the brains behind the deal in this insightful synopsis.

Stan Sport Subscription Price Revealed
Sports fans will have to pay $10 a month to sign up for Stan Sport when it launches later this year, according to reports. The Nine-owned Sydney Morning Herald, is today reporting that Stan (also owned by Nine) will offer Stan Sport as a supplementary service, meaning fans must also have a subscription to Stan’s […]

Guardian UK Honours Kamala Harris Inauguration With Full-Page Ad, Via Uncommon
Once again the power of print is on show here. It's also on show for those who enjoy craft using papier-mâché.

Sitecore Secures US$1.2B In Funding
Sitecore has secured $US1.2 billion in funding. Said to be prioritising internal chocolate river and flying elevator.

Mintel Announces Global Consumer Trends For 2021
It's the latest global consumer trends report that, as you'd expect, continues to be bad news for airport duty frees.

2021 Data Predictions: What To Expect In The Year Ahead
Once again, data set to join omnichannel and full-service as the advertising industry's most ubiquitous words.

Sarah Wilson Launches New PodcastOne Australia Series
You have to hand it to Sarah Wilson, doesn't eat sugar AND has so far refrained from murdering anyone.

David Beckham Leads Star-Studded Adidas Football Promo, Using WhatsApp
David Beckham - women want him, men want to be him. Despite his wife constantly taking all the wardrobe space.

Morse Micro Appoints Milk & Honey PR To Enhance Brand Identity
Have absolutely no idea what Morse Micro even do? Discover the power of PR by reading this submitted press release.

Metro Commercial Radio Ad Revenues Down 10.4% In December Quarter
Kyle forced to eat beans from a tin in fingerless mittens as the great plague continues to savage ad revenues.

Endemol Shine Announces Leadership Shakeup
Endemol Shine announces management shakeup. Still no news on the enduring appeal of the actual edamame, however.

Stan Inks Exclusive Content Deal With Walter Presents
Stan inks latest content deal that unfortunately doesn't include Best Of Red Faces or Ask The Leyland Brothers.

Bohemia Appoints Chloe Schneider As Head Of Content
Chloe Schneider joins the Bohemia team and provides DIY press pic thanks to local passport photo booth.