The saturation of traditional forms of publicity is evident; for this reason, novel and original means of publicising products are necessary. Hot air balloons have existed for many years, but only recently have they begun to be used for publicity purposes.

Bearing in mind that what companies want nowadays is a continual improvement in their corporate image and, at the same time, to improve the image of their brands, it is clear that advertising using balloons, being innovative, offers many advantages.

The direct impact and low cost of this form of publicity mean that advertising in this way has become very popular in Europe, Japan and the USA. In addition, more and more companies here are using this form of advertising, including those which have very modest publicity budgets, since advertising in this way is cheap when compared with the costs of traditional advertisements in the press, on radio or television.

The information presented here by Baló Tour Internacional S.L. aims to give companies the possibility of making themselves, and their brands, known in a new way, one which communicates an image which is novel, serious, ecological, and prestigious.

Some of our clients have developed this system using a lot of imagination, which has allowed them to obtain truly surprisingly positive results.

Our list of clients includes: La Cambra de Comerç, Indústria i Navegació de Barcelona (Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Navigation -Foreign Trade Section), Roncato España S.L., Estrella Damm Beer.

A hot air balloon may basically be used in one of two ways, either free-flying or tethered. Both are useful, since, if used effectively, they have a strong effect on the public who see them.

Free flight over a large city such as Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia or Manchester attracts a lot of attention, since it is not every day that we see a balloon flying over our heads. However, this impact is magnified when several balloons fly over a large city as part of a festival or ballooning championship. It is recognised that it is during these events that the effect of the publicity is greatest, since the visual impact of the spectacle will attract a lot of media attention.

Undertaking captive flights as part of popular local festivities or as attractions at Trade Fairs can also produce very positive publicity. In the latter case, for example, it is possible for a company or brand to advertise itself with the presence of its balloon, as well as engaging in Public Relations, offering all its invited guests the opportunity to go up in the balloon, even if it is only for a captive flight.

Baló Tour Internacional S.L. has gained wide experience in the publicising and promotion of brands, products, and Industrial and Trade Fairs around Europe, Asia, and Africa.

ADVERTISING ON A HOT-AIR BALLOON

Our extensive experience and professionalism speaks for itself. We have at our disposal the technical and commercial departments necessary to help our clients in their advertising and promotional ventures, incorporating the magic of aerial advertising via a balloon. It is in our best interest to always fulfill the objectives of our clients. Therefore do not hesitate to contact us to clear up any doubts you may have, as we are always at your service.

The use of these airships as an advertising medium is almost as old as their very existence. They have an hypnotic power on the people who see them; these people photograph them and take the photos home to show their friends (no-one ever takes a photo of a billboard), and this is a balloon, a flying 'billboard'. We can thus affirm that, due to its size and its majesty, the balloon is the king of aerial advertising.

Did you know that the envelope of an advertising balloon costs less than a medium-sized car? If we consider a repayment period of five years, its cost is in fact ludicrous compared to other advertising mediums. This fact is completely unknown to most companies, and this is why the majority of commercial trademarks have never thought of using them in their marketing strategies.

BALLOON HIRE

When an advertising venture or passenger flight in a hot-air balloon is contracted, it is considered to be an airship rental. In practice, what is contracted is a complete set of equipment (balloon, trailer, vehicle) and a highly-qualified human team (pilot, co-pilot and driver).

This system of hire is the most suitable for a commercial trademark to come into contact with this medium for the first time, as the investment needed to advertise on a balloon is reasonable. Our fleet of rental airships is equipped with a system of fastening banners (using velcro) which permits us to decorate the balloon in a personalized form, using your advertisement. Please consult price-list.

A CORPORATE ENVELOPE

If we bear in mind that the balloons are made up of two parts, the envelope and the basket with the burner, it is possible to buy only the envelope and to rent the rest of the equipment for each flight. Many of our clients make use of a corporate envelope at a reasonable price in this way.

This system is the most economical and suitable for the realization of publicity campaigns planned annually by the marketing department of the company or commercial trademark, which allows the advertising image to be the very best. Making the envelope with a design purely for advertising, with the capacity of fitting it with a velcro system for adding and removing additional advertising elements, provides us with a series of very interesting possibilities.

The possibilities for an advertising campaign are limitless: from corporate events and private celebrations of the commercial trademark, fairs, conventions and exhibitions, to the participation in all the folk festivals such as the Valencia bonfires, the Sanfermin in Pamplona, San Isidro in Madrid, etc. Sporting events, regattas, festivals and championships are also of special interest for the realization of advertising flights, as TV presence is guaranteed.

CORPORATE BALLOONS

The sponsorship of a passenger balloon can be a profitable investment in the long and short term, as our passenger flights with advertisements are seen throughout the year by more than a million people. Keeping in mind the operative life of these airships, which is approximately seven years, combined with its low cost, the total advertising impact during its lifespan is very important.

Our passenger flights take place in well-populated zones of Catalonia and particularly at festivals and outstanding occasions such as fairs and sporting events.

Our sponsor would enjoy a year of free flights to stand out at the fairs, conventions and special events of their interest. They could also make use of these flights to invite their clients to enjoy the unforgettable experience of flying in a hot-air balloon.

The envelope of the above-mentioned balloon would be presented using the advertisement designed by the sponsor's own advertising and image department, with the understanding that there are practically no limits to the design.

Thus, the passengers that fly with Baló Tour will say that they have flown in a balloon of the sponsoring trademark.

The possibilities of contracting this type of advertising are limitless, with the choice of sponsoring only envelopes or whole balloons of different sizes. Sponsorship can be total or partial for the lifespan of the balloon or for one season only.

SPECIAL FORMS

Although the classic form of the balloon is due to aerodynamics, in given instances it is possible to construct airships in different shapes which, for advertising, have a high impact and are spectacular. These airships, called aeriforms, are also made up of an envelope which retains all the hot air which in turn gives support. It is possible to make them in almost any form.

The manufacturers already have definite patterns to make certain special forms such as bottles, cans and boxes, but generally, at the time of making an aeriform of these characteristics, it is necessary to produce a preliminary model on which the technical feasibility, absence of tensions, and malformations can be checked. Once the aeriform is complete, it will impress with its originality and its direct impact: the advertising results will be immediate.