The visual appearance of an airship has always attracted attention and imagination of general public. This fascination with helium-filled airships creates the ultimate advertising vehicle and will generate millions of dollars in revenue. A large part of this market comes from high-profile sporting events. As an eye in the sky, the multimedia airship will provide camera footage of these events from a perspective that cannot be matched. Under special arrangements with TV networks and cable, blimps carry the aerial camera and reciprocally receive on-air publicity at no cost.

The cost advantage of such exposure is significant: One 30-second commercial during the Super Bowl can cost $1,200,000. Furthermore, commercial messages from blimps are integrated into the program itself, not included into commercial breaks during which many of the audience are switching a channel anyway.

Other points to consider:

Aeros-40D airship in size of one hundred and fifty three feet in length will attract attention and generate high investment returns because of a low-cost operation. An airship can fly for the duration of an event which creates increasing revenues whereas a helicopter or airplane has time constrains.

Airships are designed to use the following types of images for advertising:

A large highly visible banner or full wrap decal
Multi-colored light screen images
Night lightning
Fiber optic night lighting allowing for multiple advertising
LED board
Laser art package

BENEFITS OF AIRSHIP ADVERTISING

1. Awareness – Greatly expand consumer awareness of company name and product
2. Promotion – A highly efficient marketing tool for the foundation of campaigns and promotions
3. Image – Appreciably raise and strengthen company's image
4. Media Exposure – An amazing and extremely eye-catching broadcast platform for domestic and international televised sporting and other events
5. Public Relations – An outrageous public relations vehicle offering variety of services: from VIP flights to promotional contests offering rides
6. Contact – An unmatched and truly memorable way to reach millions of customers
7. Sponsorship Prospects – Airship with TV cameras as a part of sponsored outdoor events for national and international broadcast
8. Significance – Raises and consolidates company's overall market share

Response

In 1992 Kraft increased its sales by 87% in major retail outlets in (Germany during the Kraft Blimp promotion tour.) Based on this success, Kraft renewed its airship program for '93 and '94.

After the Fuji Blimp flew for a year in Germany, Fuji film and cassette sales have increased by 20% and 40% respectively. In 1984, Fuji Film introduced their new product line to the American market with the use of a blimp at the Los Angeles Summer Olympics. Fuji captured 7% market share from Kodak in the first year. Fuji continued its program and in 1986 purchased their own airship. The company has maintained its program and has recently renewed its operating contract for the next three years.

Media

As the effectiveness of traditional advertising media continues to erode; advertisers need to explore innovative solutions to make an impact on the public consciousness. Blimp participation at nationally televised sporting event guarantees advertisers audience attention.

The digital future - which puts the power into the user’s hands - is bad news to measured media and broadcasting. How many are going to "choose" to watch an ad? ... Marketers will require "embedded advertising", where the message is incorporated into the action and cannot be evaporated with the touch of a button.

WHY AIR MEDIA?

Advertising Value

• The Family Channel Blimp generated $5 million of spin-off media value during its first year. Family Channel studies show the total media value outweighs total cost of blimp operations by 3 to 1.
• Coverage of 19 TV events by the Blockbuster Blimp resulted in $1 million worth of on-air time; $45,000 of spin-off local media.

Blimp Advertising generates a tremendous amount of free spin-off media coverage in addition to the direct visual advertising benefits.

The cost of running the blimp for a whole month is equal to the cost of just one or two prime-time commercials.

      
 

Interest and Awareness

The following results of independent and in-house studies reveal a high percentage of both airship (recalled seeing blimp) and product (recalled message) awareness:

• Two-week program
  
  Studies conducted by one of the major blimp operators, reveal that in a typical city of 1-2 million people, during a five-day flight period, 65% of the population recall the message presented on the airship.

Frequently Asked Questions