OFFICERS:
President: Perry Cantarutti (Delta Air Lines)
Vice President: Alison Taylor (American Airlines)
Secretary: Maura Chacko (Spafax)
DIRECTORS:
Estibaliz Asiain (Anuvu)
Esdra Lamy (Warner Bros. Discovery)
Mustafa Mucahitoglu (Turkish Airlines)
Ingo Wuggetzer (Airbus)
PRESIDENT CANDIDATE – Perry Cantarutti
Perry Cantarutti
Delta Air Lines
Senior VP of Alliances
VICE PRESIDENT CANDIDATE – Alison Taylor
Alison Taylor
American Airlines
Chief Customer Officer
SECRETARY CANDIDATE – Maura Chacko
Maura Chacko
Spafax
Vice President, Development
Reason for running for the Board of Directors:
I have been honored to serve on the board for 8 years now, including 6 as Secretary – I welcome the opportunity to serve a final term as Secretary as I believe in the work APEX has done throughout COVID and the recovery period, and I am most excited about the regrowth and future of this vibrant and innovative industry.
Airline passenger experience industry experience:
APEX Board of Directors – Secretary 2017-2023
APEX Board of Director – 2015-2017
Current Chair of the Awards Committee and the Governance Committee
Previous member of the Education Committee, the Content Market Committee and the Membership Committee
Leadership experience:
Current member of the IFSA Foundation Board of Directors
Current or previous experience on APEX committees and/or APEX Board experience:
APEX Board of Directors – Secretary 2017-2023
APEX Board of Director – 2015-2017
Chair of the EXPO Committee, the Awards Committee and the Governance Committee – 2017-2023
Previous member of the Education Committee, the Content Market Committee and the Membership Committee (2011-2017)
DIRECTOR CANDIDATE – Estibaliz Asiain
Estibaliz Asiain
Anuvu
Senior Vice President, Media & Content
Reason for running for the Board of Directors:
When it comes to inflight entertainment, Anuvu has pioneered the digital supply chain, taken a bespoke approach to content curation, revamped cost structures, and challenged the status quo. Est has been at the helm of many of these transitions, and has built deep relationships with airlines, studios and partners along the way, sharing both the industry’s challenges and successes. She believes that her voice on the APEX board will represent multiple perspectives across the inflight entertainment supply chain, ensuring equality and balance of opinion.
It’s clear that our industry is at an inflexion point where technology and data will help a more targeted and objective passenger experience. Content and connectivity are merging and the two can no longer work independently as airlines strive to build a seamless digital experience. By working for the only provider with both content and connectivity clients, Est has had the unique position of managing clients in both arenas, giving her a deep understanding of the customers’ needs and the possibilities that open when both industries join together.
That knowledge, combined with strong relationships with in-seat hardware providers and major, independent, streaming and brand-driven content studios, gives Est a well-rounded view of where the industry has been and more importantly, where it is going.
She believes it is critical for APEX to drive thought leadership, innovation and, where possible, directives of best practices moving forward. Est looks forward to the collaboration on this important transition in the industry and sharing her experience with the rest of APEX members.
Airline passenger experience industry experience:
Est has been working in the inflight entertainment industry for over 23 years, although more if you add the all the years she heard about it at home, with her father being an industry veteran. Her career has encompassed the full spectrum of IFE as she worked for her family run boutique CSP (Transvision On Board Entertainment), then a middle size international CSP (IFE Services) and now Anuvu, the leading provider of IFE services and a major player in connectivity. Throughout those experiences she has covered different roles including sales, account management, customer success and now oversees the entire P&L for media and content.
Est’s team oversees content services for approximately 60 airlines worldwide, many of which have been recognized for excellence in IFE. Her interaction with multiple types of carriers from low-cost to five-star has given her a global perspective and true understanding of their individual nuances and needs.
As part of the leadership team at Anuvu, she brings the unique experience of converging content and connectivity, and as market leaders we are proud to be the only ones truly providing “connected entertainment”.
Leadership experience:
Est has held leadership positions for over 20 years and currently oversees a staff of 300 employees with nine direct reports. On a personal level, she is part of the board of the Parents Association for her children’s school, as well as an active member of Caritas, an international organization of the Catholic Church dedicated to fighting against poverty, exclusion, intolerance and discrimination. She also mentors female graduates from her alma mater University of Wales and is a strong advocate for women in business.
Current or previous experience on APEX committees and/or APEX Board:
Est formed part of the Educational Committee at APEX some years ago for approximately a year, she is eager to become involved again at a more senior level.
DIRECTOR CANDIDATE – Esdra Lamy
Esdra Lamy
Warner Bros. Discovery
Senior Vice President
Reason for running for the Board of Directors:
As the leader of our IFE division at Warner Bros Discovery I’ve had the privilege of seeing firsthand the impact of collaboration across the industry with our Airlines partners. My first term as an Apex board member my focus has been on expending membership and making APEX attractive to all vendors especially studio peers. And I feel I have brought a collaborative approach to continue to expand on the work of the board across the industry. During my term, I’ve championed the push for a renewed focus for APEX to better align its mission with all Airlines and vendor objectives. Additionally, I’ve supported the push towards our involvement in helping shape our narrative and support around sustainability in the aviation industry. With your support I look to help continue the mission forward.
Airline passenger experience industry experience:
As a 20-year content licensing executive, I lead the WBD IFE team representing content distribution across Warner Bros, HBO, HBO MAX, Turner. Additionally, I also lead the Broadcast syndication business for the studio, providing me with invaluable experience and different perspectives I’ve been able to bring to APEX. One of the key initiatives was to ramp up our presence and participation in APEX as a key content supplier to airlines. We’ve been able to expand our offering to the industry and support innovation with our Airlines, Lab partners and CSPs. In addition to the committees, I currently chair, I’ve supported other committees such as APEX TECH, where I represented the studios on the panel in Long Beach this past spring alongside industry thought leaders. We’ve also played a key role in adding to the overall APEX experience for attendees. In 2022 in Dublin, we hosted an opening screening event and hosted a dinner. In Long Beach we hosted an exclusive movie and cocktail premiere for Apex attendees on opening night as the only main event opened to all on opening night.
Leadership experience:
20 years in entertainment servicing clients and customers. I Lead Content licensing across IFE and Broadcast Syndication at Warner Bros Discovery. In my roles at WBD I have to collaborate across the studio working with creative colleagues, theatrical, marketing and TV colleagues to align objectives.
Currently serving on the board of directors for APEX and Draper Business Holdings Trust.
Additionally, I’m a Founding Member of Toast Spirits (Toast Vodka) and served for five years on the associate Board of Teach For America.
Current or previous experience on APEX committees and/or APEX Board experience:
I’m currently serving on the Apex Board of Directors and It’s been a privilege to represent all my fellow members. I’m the Co-Chair of the Apex Content Committee and Co-Chair of the Awards Committee. This past year we brought back “THE QUIZZ” in Istanbul (A HIT!). “The Awards” we worked to streamline the awards and pushed for an improved experience at the ceremony. We hope you will feel the difference at this year’s upcoming Awards.
DIRECTOR CANDIDATE – Mustafa Mucahitoglu
Mustafa Mucahitoglu
Turkish Airlines
Vice President, Customer Experience
Reason for running for the Board of Directors:
In essence, my aspiration to join the APEX Board of Directors is driven by a desire to actively contribute towards the advancement of the association and the aviation industry, particularly in the realm of elevating passenger experience standards. I recognize that airlines often find themselves bound by industry standards as they endeavor to cultivate innovation within the customer journey. The transformation of cabin experiences, for instance, necessitates meticulous efforts to secure certifications for new products, a process that demands substantial commitment.
Amidst the backdrop of intensified competition, the industry is grappling with the twin challenges of cost reduction and growth incentives. These dynamics can sometimes impede earnest endeavors to enhance the passenger experience. I firmly believe that surmounting these hurdles requires a collective embrace of a human-centric approach, where customers stand at the epicenter of both business and operational processes.
My own professional journey testifies to this philosophy. Within Turkish Airlines, I have successfully instilled a customer-centric ethos by pioneering the establishment of a Customer Experience Steering Committee under the aegis of the CEO. Since its inception in 2017, this committee has convened over 50 sessions, engaging diverse department executives in robust discussions concerning customer experience painpoints. This concerted effort has led to the gradual dissolution of organizational silos, as executives from various backgrounds converge to eliminate friction and amplify travelers delight throughout the journey.
My vision for contributing as a member of the APEX board aligns harmoniously with these principles. I am committed to infusing fresh perspectives into deliberations, drawing from my experience and driving discussions that resonate with the association’s overarching goals. It is my earnest belief that by channeling a similar approach, we can coalesce our insights to foster transformative outputs that will undoubtedly enrich the industry and the passengers it serves.
Airline passenger experience industry experience:
I have 11 years of experience in passenger experience, marketing and brand management fields at Turkish Airlines in Specialist, Supervisor, Manager and currently Vice President roles. I oversee strategic planning, design, measurement and improvement of all products and services throughout 90 touchpoints of Turkish Airlines customer journey as well as customer relations and call center operations which is operated in cooperation with 4 companies and more than 2400 customer representatives.
Leadership experience:
For the last 6 years I undertake the presentation and general secretariat of monthly Turkish Airlines Customer Experience Steering Committee with the attendance of CEO and related executives of the company. I also served as board member at Turkiye’s Civil Aviators Association and head of its Corporate Transformation Committee.
Current or previous experience on APEX committees and/or APEX Board experience:
I have attended majority of APEX events, managed APEX World Class audit process at Turkish Airlines for two years, even though I have not served on the APEX
DIRECTOR CANDIDATE – Ingo Wuggetzer
Ingo Wuggetzer
Airbus
Vice President Cabin Marketing
Reason for running for the Board of Directors:
I am passionate working in the aviation industry since almost 30 years. Always being convinced about a consumer centric approach to understand passenger and airline needs and drive product and service innovations based on those requirements. Developing future scenarios is not only about inspiration but also helping to guide the industry shaping the passenger experience on board of aircrafts mid to long term.
Today we are facing major trends on ground and technology breakthroughs that will massively influence the current experience on board – digitalization is a revolution that is just starting onboard and the need for sustainable solutions in the cabin is a big challenge for all stakeholders.
I would like to be part of the APEX board of directors to drive innovation and give the right strategic directions, to ensure that the next generation of travelers will also love to fly into the future. Give directions for a digital transition achieving a much more personalized travel experience for passengers and explore opportunities for airlines to generate revenues, improve operations and drive passenger loyalty. I´d like to support sustainability innovations and establish frameworks that should help airlines to make their efforts visible and help passengers to understand and value the offered solutions and services in an easy/intuitive way.
Therefore, the APEX association needs to develop a clear strategy for the future, how to address and support the members best to scope with those challenges but also provide awareness, guidance as well as inspiration for the passengers, as a basis for future success.
Airline passenger experience industry experience:
2 years of top management consultancy in aviation industry
10 years with Lufthansa in corporate strategy and as Head of onboard experience & innovation
17 years with Airbus Cabin R&T, Design, Program, Engineering and currently Cabin Marketing
Leadership experience:
Currently:
Vice President Cabin Marketing Airbus
Member of the judging panel of the Cabin Crystal Award (founding member + pre-selection committee + voting member of the CCA association)
Current or previous experience on APEX committees and/or APEX Board experience:
Serving on the APEX board of directors for 7-8 years
Leading the Marketing committee and being part of the strategy team