Shows
Go Get It with Rob ButlerRichard Bartrem: Leading in Crisis & Finding Your Superpower🎧 Welcome to the Go Get It Podcast! In this episode, host Rob Butler sits down with Richard Bartrem, former VP of Communications at WestJet, to explore a career journey that spans industries, crises, and creative transformation.From managing real-time aircraft groundings during the global pandemic to the surprising impact of improv training on corporate leadership, Richard shares powerful insights for professionals at every stage of their careers. Whether you're a recent grad, mid-career, or considering a bold shift, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways — curiosity, communication, creativity, and hustle. ✅ Learn: ...
2025-08-2927 min
BCA PodcastsThe Brief: Is Flying Canada's Ticket to Affordable Transportation?As the world's second-largest country by landmass, but ranked 188th in population density, Canada depends on air travel as a crucial part of its transportation infrastructure. BCA's economists recently unpacked the issue of why flying costs more in Canada than elsewhere in their latest commentary, so podcast host Scott Crockatt invited former WestJet executive and airline industry expert Richard Bartrem onto the podcast to dive into the findings and hear some of Richard's own insights. Richard argues that while airline fares have fallen in half, government fees have increased more, and advocates for government intervention to reduce...
2025-08-1926 min
Open Skies PodcastThe High Cost of Flying: Fixing Canada’s Broken Aviation SystemIn this eye-opening episode, host Chris Glass is joined by airline veterans Bob Cummings and Richard Bartrem, who offer a frank and informed take on the state of Canadian aviation. With decades of experience at the helm of WestJet and other carriers, they unpack why Canada’s air travel system is financially unsustainable, regionally imbalanced, and policy-stagnant. From rising airport fees to ineffective passenger rights legislation, the current system penalizes travelers and discourages investment—all while limiting access to smaller communities across the country.Bob and Richard call...
2025-04-171h 21
Beyond PRRichard BartremBrookline Public Relations is thrilled to talk with our latest podcast guest, Richard Bartrem.
A true brand magician and master strategist, Richard is known for big picture thinking and insightful storytelling to help grow strong brand identities for clients. As the former Vice-President, Communications, Brand and Community Investment for WestJet, you may recognize his work from WestJet’s annual Christmas Miracle campaign!
With a diverse and impactful career, Richard brings over 35 years of proven leadership and management experience in the marketing and communications space. At Brookline, Richard applies his valuable experience and boundless energy to st...
2024-06-2842 minBeyond PRPanel Guests ReturnIt has been 18 months since our last panel where we analyzed how some of North America’s most prominent brands navigated and pivoted throughout the pandemic. For this episode, we welcomed our panel guests back to reflect on their experiences during the last few years, to get caught up on all of the exciting things they have each been up to since we chatted last and learn what they are most excited about now that the world is slowly returning to the ‘new normal’.
Our guests Negin Kamali, Director of Public Relations for Princess Cruises, Tim Shipton, Execut...
2022-10-0543 min
Behind the Brand®Richard Bartrem | VP of Marketing & Communications, WestJet | Creating a globally competitive brand while infusing fun and care into every customer interactionOn January 1, 1914 the first ever passenger airline took flight, travelling just 38.3 kilometers from St. Petersburg to Tampa Bay, Florida. In 2019, 38.9 million flights transported 4.5 billion passengers around the world, 162 million of which were Canadian.Air travel has become a popular method of travel, a means of connecting people to friends and family around the world, transporting them to places they have never seen. In 1996, WestJet was born in Calgary, with the intention to provide Canadians with safe, friendly, and affordable air travel.  Injecting fun and care into every flight, this re...
2021-11-1734 minBeyond PRPivoting During the Pandemic - Panel Replay with WestJet, Princess Cruises and Oilers Entertainment GroupThe COVID-19 pandemic was a crisis that none of us quite anticipated in our 2020 plans. To reflect on what may be one of the most disruptive years in recent history, Brookline PR hosted its first ever virtual panel event – Pivoting During the Pandemic – to gain insight into how some of North America’s most prominent brands navigated through an event that changed everything. Shauna invited Richard Bartrem, Chief of Staff and VP of Communications at WestJet, Negin Kamali, Director of Public Relations at Princess Cruises and Tim Shipton, SVP of Communications and Government Relations at Oilers Entertainment Group (OEG) to sha...
2021-03-3138 min
a branded world: Branding made easy. A podcast where we explore great brands and learn how to build a powerful brand.Flying high: How Westjet built an iconic brand - with Richard BartremBuilding a successful business is tough in any industry but it may even more so in the airline industry. Listen to my conversation with Richard Bartrem, VP of Mktg and Comm. at Westjet on how they built an iconic brand from the inside out.
2018-03-2258 min