Aerial Advertising at Night
What is the last frontier? Is it space as some claim? Is it the oceans? For advertisers, it may well be the sky. It is like an immense surface on which to write a message for all to see. In a way, the sky is the last frontier in advertising. Aerial advertising makes great use of this resource by displaying banners or billboards that are pulled behind planes over large crowds at a beach, sporting event or the like. This way the message is read by a large number of people in a very short time.
A few years ago, aerial messages were mainly novelty announcements like birthday wishes and marriage proposals. Today they are largely advertisements like political ads, promotion of products or services, or announcements of special events coming up.
These banners or billboards are usually pulled behind airplanes though some with extra large billboards or banners have used helicopters also. Still others write their message on a blimp or use a remote controlled balloon to sell their product. Any way it is done, a message in the sky almost demands to be read by everyone aware of its presence. Advertisers have found aerial ads to be a low cost but effective way to get their message before a large audience quickly.
Aerial advertising has taken a new form recently called night ads. These are lighted messages displayed on the bottom of the plane as it flies over. Like a UFO in the sky, a plane is heard and then, suddenly, a message begins to appear, written in the inky darkness.
The display is made in the same way the message on the bank marquee is made, with lights forming the words or numbers. The computerized moving characters appear on the underside of the plane, from wing to wing. One company states the advertising message is displayed on a 36 foot long grid containing 252 lights. Each letter is eight feet tall.
The eight feet tall letters are made with high intensity individual lights. They have some variety, like making the message blink on and off, be made bold, travel right or left, scroll up or down, or sweep right or left. A little imagination can display a message that will keep the attention of the audience during the entire time it can be read while passing over.
Though not yet in color, the night aerial ads have several advantages over daytime banner ads. First, the preparation of the message is simple. Just type the words or numbers into the computer. The message can be repeated or reworded for variety. Second, there is no need for dangerous low level flying to get the message into the air as with banners. Third, the message can be longer with more information since it is only displayed a little at a time. A disadvantage is that fewer people generally are outside at night to read the message.
If someone is interested in an aerial night message, the first step is to plan a message. The message should be less than 45 characters (so it can all be read in time) yet contain all the information you want to get across. When this is accomplished, check online to see where an aerial banner company is available. It is a creative way to capture the attention of night sky gazers and get your message into their lives.
Tags: aerial advertising, aerial banner, aerial billboard, aerial messages