Braniff A Report to Braniff Employees with Howard D Putnam December 1981

Описание: On September 22, 1981, Braniff International's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, John J. Casey, shook the airline industry to its core when he announced that Howard D. Putnam would assume the Presidency and act as Chief Operating Officer of the Dallas-based airline. Howard Putnam left his position as President of crosstown rival Southwest Airlines to attempt to return Braniff to profitability, a task that would not be easy.

Along with Mr. Putnam came his Chief Financial Officer from Southwest, M. Philip Guthrie. Mr. Guthrie left his position as Southwest's Executive Vice President of Finance at the request of Mr. Putnam. Guthrie was only 36 years old and had come to Southwest from Price-Waterhouse where he worked as a Senior Financial Consultant at their Houston office. In 1972, Mr. Guthrie moved to Dallas, to assume the position of Vice President-Finance of Vicra, a division of Baxter-Travenol Industries. Howard Putnam joined Southwest in 1978, after he was hired from United Airlines where he served in several executive marketing positions. At the time that Southwest hired him, he was acting as Group Vice President of Marketing at United.

Chairman Casey addressed the media, who filled the large room at Braniff Place World Headquarters, about the new appointments. Casey stated that, "Mr. Putnam and Mr. Guthrie are experienced in building a foundation for success together. We felt their combined contribution would best serve Braniff." Howard Putnam noted that, "The challenge of Braniff is to great to turn down, and I have long admired the dedication and strength of Braniff's employees, especially during this tough period." He further expressed his excitement at having the opportunity to restore Braniff's prestige in the industry, "I look forward to their support and the opportunities that lie ahead.”

In this film, Mr. Putnam addresses employee concerns about Braniff's future in December 1981. He also stresses that he felt that Texas Class would save the airline. However, while Mr. Putnam should be credited with implementing a plan that had been reviewed by Braniff in 1978, it was ultimately not successful.

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