APEX in Profile: Jenny Delcambre
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Jenny Delcambre
Head of Global Travel Distribution
Euronews
Delcambre joined Euronews five years ago to launch the Travel Distribution of the channel, and in particular, to develop its presence aboard airlines. Before that, she worked as regional director at Orbitz – the online travel company originally created by several major airlines. She holds an MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business and is living in Paris, France.
FAST FACTS
Location: ORY
Now Reading: The Last Samurai (Helen DeWitt)
Favorite Hotel: The New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel, Honolulu
Brand of Suitcase: La Bagagerie
Paper or electronic boarding pass? Electronic
Passport stamp you wish you had: Worldwide Visa (Permanent)
We often ask where the airline industry is headed, but where do you see the entertainment industry headed in one year? 5 years?
In 2010, when I moved from the online travel industry to broadcast media, there were quite distinct patterns in travelers’ consumption – whether it came to booking a flight on a website, or to watching a movie on the in-seat screen on a plane. Five years later, it’s amazing to see the mobile phone become the central item of our life.
Through mobile apps, we book flights, check-in online, read news and watch movies while traveling.
All major industries have shifted to the personal device, and the entertainment industry is more affected than any other.
Our viewers want to decide themselves, which content to watch, when and where – on mobile phones, in social networks, or on home TV. And our job in the next five years will be to continue to deliver them the right content, on any media platform, at any time.
Something that never ceases to amaze you in your industry?
I think television today is less and less associated with the TV set in the living room. It is literally everywhere. It is amazing to see TV channels like Euronews being transformed into multimedia hubs, supplying content in a multitude of formats: live streaming, video on demand, RSS feeds… The broadcast media has never been as inventive as today, being pushed by an increasing demand from the consumer to be informed and entertained. It is an exciting period to be working in this industry.
The scariest situation you’ve ever been in?
It was while traveling in the French West Indies. To go from one island to another, there is a local “sea shuttle” which is in reality a small open boat with around 10 passengers onboard, mainly locals. And it’s terrifying. The boat goes at 20, 25 knotsand you just dig into your seat so not to be thrown overboard. I was paralyzed by fear during the entire journey – one-and-a-half hours long! There is a saying among sailors about seasickness at storm: “At first you are afraid to die. Then you are afraid not to die.” That’s exactly how I felt!
Most memorable flight you’ve ever had?
It was in 2010 onboard a brand new A380. I was on a night flight to South Africa with Air France going to Johannesburg to finalize some deals before the FIFA World Cup. I remember this totally new feeling of magic from the first minute I stepped on board. Everything looked different – even the cabin lights! The captain was excited to announce the plane’s first flight. The older man sitting next to me told his wife: “It looks like a spaceship.”
How do you view the airline industry as a marketplace for your content? What are its benefits?
Euronews viewers are frequent travelers – 25 percent of them made at least six flights last year. They are active, curious and want to stay informed and connected while traveling. That’s why we have created the Travel Distribution division five years ago – to ensure that the channel is available where our viewers are traveling. Today 20 airlines have Euronews in their IFE offer. The results of a research carried by the independent company EMS speak for themselves – when asked which airlines they would recommend for travel, our viewers top-ranked those companies that have our channel on board!
What do you think is the most overlooked aspect of the passenger experience?
Do you know one of the reasons why I appreciate traveling with Thalys (the European high-speed train operator)? They have ladies-only restrooms! If you are a woman and are traveling a lot, you cannot but appreciate it. (And the lavatory doesn’t have to be pink!)
Three things about where you live that make you want to live there.
I moved to France for work over 15 years ago. I fell in love with Paris and never went back! I live downtown, in one of those old charming Parisian villages of the XII° century. I love its Saturday farmers’ markets with all sorts of French cheese and seafood. I love its gorgeous Haussmann and Art Deco style buildings. And on summer nights you can walk down to the quays of the Seine to watch the fireworks at the Eiffel Tower.
Last place traveled – for fun?
A two weeks cruise in the Mediterranean with my family last summer. Five countries and tons of memories. An ideal option for parents with kids who normally get quickly bored staying at the same hotel on vacation and prefer to discover places. I like cruising – it’s as if your hotel room follows you as you travel!
The achievement you’re most proud of?
Running an Internet travel start-up at 25 years old. It was only one year after I moved to France. I had to learn all from scratch – from the local regulations on recruitment and office leases to switchboard options for the call center. It was soon after 9/11 and the economic context was hard – the European travel market was badly hit by cancellations from the US. That’s when the Internet players entered the scene to offer a new travel experience – for anyone and for any budget. Looking back, I am proud to say that together with my bright team we managed to succeed. And there is always an opportunity to seize, even in difficult circumstances.