SUBANG JAYA: Firefly has managed to achieve sales totalling up to RM500,000 simply via Facebook up to September 2009.

That has been the most effective social media advertising for the airline. Since the Firefly Facebook page was set up, the airline already has 11,756 fans.

Head of Marketing and Communications, Angelina C. Fernandez, said that Facebook was like a loyalty campaign for the airline and the numbers were increasing daily.

"Due to the slower economic condition this year, our marketing budget was slashed by 70 per  cent. Therefore, we had to look for an alternative mode of marketing.

Of course till now our main method is via the media. However, the social media advertising seems to be a good tool," she said.

Angelina said Firefly often has promotions and contests on the social network where members can participate.

"To reward our Facebook customers, we have offers especially for them as well as competitions enabling them to win free tickets. We also look out for talents for our advertising and corporate video via Facebook," she said.

Firefly also has advertisements on the website which is currently on a minimal scale.

Angelina said the Facebook community consists 90 per cent of locals and Firefly hopes to achieve a 30 per cent participation next year from other countries in the region.

"About 60 per cent of the travellers on Firefly are from Malaysia.  Through Facebook and other advertising methods in the first quarter of 2010, we are determined to expand our promotions to Thailand, Indonesia, and
Singapore," she said.

Angelina added that 80 per cent of travellers on Firefly were aged between 25 to 50-years from the working community and a high percentage of them were Internet savvy.

She said more than 50 per cent travellers on Firefly book their tickets online while others do so through ticketing agents.

Angelina said the Firefly website receives the highest number of hits on weekdays during office hours which is a clear indication that online and social media advertising, such as on Facebook, is the current trend.