APEX in Profile: Jackie Sayno
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Jackie Sayno
Director of Acquisitions
Encore Inflight Limited
Jackie joined Encore Inflight Limited over three years ago to launch the English and European movies distribution division. She travels nine months out of the year covering festivals and markets, searching for the next best films to share with airline passengers all over the world.
Did you choose the airline industry or did it choose you?
The airline industry chose me. Four years ago, I was in Hong Kong attending an aromatherapy course, and Encore was a start-up company looking to extend their in-flight movie offerings to include English and European languages.
I have always been passionate about movies, from when I was really young, and it sounded like an exciting opportunity and a challenge I could not refuse.
Biggest challenge you’ve ever overcome at work?
Convincing European and English movie suppliers that Encore was a serious and stable company. Four years ago at my first Cannes Film Festival, I had to beg companies just to meet with me. The ones that finally agreed to a meeting time either ignored me when I got there or were no-shows. It almost made me quit the industry, but I am glad I hung on because now, at the recent Cannes festival in May, tables were turned and those same companies are chasing me down for meetings.
Fail-proof travel tip?
Travel with a smile and positive attitude: You’d be amazed how much easier it is to get an upgrade on a flight, a bulkhead seat, an early check-in, a nicer hotel room, the lovely perks. Everyone spends long hours behind a service desk; a smile and a compliment go a long way to make the work more bearable and even enjoyable.
One thing you wished people cared more about:
Customer service and accountability. We are all very busy individuals with hectic schedules and we should remember and respect that.
The achievement you’re most proud of?
Launching the English and European-language movie distribution for Encore Inflight. Coming from a completely different background, armed only with the love and passion for movies, I am proud of building up this new division.
I started with offering five titles to 10 airline clients in the first year to offering 50 titles to more than 70 airline clients today.
Top three films of all time?
There are too many to choose just three, but these would be a start: Star Wars, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon and Akira.
Best airline-industry acronym?
EATCHIP – European Air Traffic Control Harmonisation and Integration Programme.
You wouldn’t be where you are today without:
Curiosity and a quest for knowledge. Growing up in Hawaii it is very easy to allow yourself to be content with the island lifestyle, but I realized there is so much more the world has to offer.