A hot air balloon promotions program is a very unique form of high-visibility advertising which with good planning and solid objectives can be a very cost effective addition to any integrated marketing program.  The following paragraphs offer suggestions and ideas that have been used by World Balloon to build a number of successful balloon programs. All of these suggestions are based on tried and true marketing and advertising principals.  

   The balloon program marketing and advertising objectives and how the balloon program will fit in with current advertising must be defined and communicated so that it is clearly understood.  If there is any confusion as to fit and function, the program will not be used.  

   The balloon program must be accessible by individual marketing and sales managers within the organization.  If the company relies on branded marketers and franchises, the program must be made available to them as well.  The program must also be made available to corporate representatives for public relations, corporate entertainment and to promote internal company name awareness. 

  The balloon program must be a full-service promotional program which can either stand by itself or be tied-in with other local, regional or national events.   To be cost effective, it must be tightly scheduled, full of trade activity and directed strongly at key demographic segments of the target market. 

  If properly executed, the hot air balloon program will allow the opportunity to make major impacts on local areas just by bringing in the balloon for appearances, and will provide an opportunity to make significant contributions to important local celebrations and events.  Good event planning will insure the balloon becomes a major part of any regional promotion, and will also insure the impact will be felt on a national basis. 

  The program must utilize local contacts, advance people and public relations firms to organize in advance of the balloon appearance.  The advance people can provide information on how to capitalize on the appearance of the balloon and can insure the operational and physical site requirements for the balloon and crew.  Advance information and planning can insure that everyone understands what the balloon can and cannot do. The pilots and advance people should target public relations opportunities and guarantee maximum exposure by providing press kits and other advance material.  

  Press material must be complete in detail so as to increase the likelihood of the media utilizing it.  Press material typically should include information on the balloon appearance, general information on how balloons operate, slides and pictures of the balloon and pilots, specific information about the balloon and specific information about the company the balloon represents.  Try to include sample radio and TV spots, and, if possible, supply a pre-taped video. 

  The program should include cold air inflatables, point of purchase displays, preprinted posters if applicable, give-away items and product identification such as t-shirts, toy balloons, stickers, flags, stationery, etc.  The program also should provide vehicle identification (if using rented or borrowed equipment). 

Why World Balloon? 

  World Balloon wrote the book on hot air balloon promotions and advertising 29 years ago.  Since then World Balloon has maintained a track record for commercial balloon programs unsurpassed by any other in the industry. 

 THE SKY IS THE LIMIT!  A World Balloon managed hot air balloon program is the chemistry for an effective advertising campaign and the nucleus that creates other opportunities.  A World Balloon managed hot air balloon program is the tool that will give you the "competitive edge".