Nighttime Aerial Advertising
The last frontier is a phrase used by some to describe deep space, and by others to describe the oceans. In advertising the sky is like a huge surface on which to display a temporary message for all to see. We might say the sky is the last frontier in advertising. Aerial advertising uses this resource by pulling banners or billboards behind planes over large crowds. The message they contain gets read by a large number of people in a 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.
A more recent form of aerial advertising is night ads. These are lighted messages that can best be read once the sun goes down. One wonders if some of them might be reported as UFO’s though a quick read of the message shows it is genuine and often helpful information.
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 moving eight feet tall letters are made of high intensity individual lights. Like the bank sign, the message can blink on and off, can scroll up or down, can travel right or left, and can sweep right or left. The words can even be made bold. A creative message will capture and keep the attention of the audience during the entire pass over them.
This display, though not yet in color, has several advantages over daytime banner ads. The preparation of the message is just a matter of typing the words or numbers into the computer. The message can be repeated or reworded for variety. There is no need for risky low level flying to get the message into the air as with banners. The aerial night ad can be longer and contain more information also. A disadvantage is that people are generally indoors at night and less likely 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 a banner towing company is available. It is a creative way to capture the attention of night sky gazers and get your message into their lives.
