| Yearly, spring marks the one week migration of | | | | to college. On the other hand, many of the ads are for |
| college students to the beaches of Florida and Texas | | | | items they will need immediately, like ads for |
| for their annual break from the books. This year an | | | | restaurants or clothing. Here is a wonderful chance to |
| estimated 2.5 to 3 million will be basking in the sun on | | | | impact one of the largest gatherings of impulsive |
| the beaches. They have money to spend now, and a | | | | buyers during the whole year. Many advertisers are |
| potential to spend another $125-$130 billion dollars | | | | cutting back now because the economy is in shambles |
| during the year. Where that much money goes will be | | | | and unemployment is high. Instead, walk through the |
| determined by effective advertising aimed at them. | | | | door of opportunity packed into one week. The spring |
| One of the most effective forms of advertising to | | | | break students aren't thinking about the economy or |
| these students is arial banner or billboard advertising. | | | | even the future. They just want to have some fun, |
| These ads are really quite simple. Someone hires a | | | | regardless of the cost. They are called by one tourism |
| company to make a banner and fly a plane over a | | | | expert a "recession-proof" group because the |
| crowd of people pulling the banner. Some banners are | | | | students consider this a unique opportunity without a |
| as long as 70 feet; they will usually display contact | | | | price tag! Electronic communication makes it even |
| information such as a webpage or phone number. | | | | better. One merchant says he has his phone number |
| (Aerial billboard ads are like highway billboards flown | | | | on the banner and, almost immediately, he is being |
| over the crowd.) Most merchants subscribe to a flight | | | | texted with orders. Others use G3 networks to |
| duration of one to two hours. Each pass allows about | | | | connect to the Internet for orders. The minimal cost of |
| 17 seconds of viewing time. How many times could | | | | the banner ad is quickly paid for and the rest is profits. |
| they potentially read your ad during an hour of | | | | Aerial ads have another advantage: they are timeless. |
| passes? They will surely have it memorized by that | | | | You will pay the full cost for the banner ad this year. |
| time. Students are relaxing and mentally open during | | | | When it is over, the banner can be stored and used |
| spring break week. They have money to spend during | | | | again next year. Or, with some products, you could fly |
| this week of vacation. Picture this: millions of students | | | | it over another beach or sporting event. The banners |
| are lying on the beach when suddenly the drone of a | | | | are well made and will last a long time. Pessimists are |
| plane overheard catches their attention. They look up | | | | cutting back on advertising because of the poor |
| and see your ad pulled behind the plane. You have just | | | | economy. But wise businesses will take advantage of |
| risen to the top of the competition for whatever you | | | | the relaxing spring break crowd and make a sizeable |
| are advertising to them. The aerial ads could offer | | | | profit through aerial advertising. |
| something they may want to buy when they get back | | | | |