SkySigns begins aerial advertising business, gets NCAA’s nod

• Firm to prove pipeline surveillance, mapping, others

Corporate firms and wealthy people are beginning to take advantage of Nigeria’s premier aerial advertising firm, SkySigns to advertise their products, services and celebration of birthdays and other social activities.

The firm is set to change the narratives about advertising following the granting of operational licence to it by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to begin aerial advertising business in the country.

Sky Signs and Adverts Nigeria Limited is a pioneer company incorporated on January 25^{th 2015} under Nigerian law.

Being established in the aviation sector, it allows them the opportunity to introduce aerial advertising banner towing and pipeline surveillance to the Nigerian sector. Currently, it is the only source in West Africa for banner advertising.

Aerial advertising is a form of advertising that incorporates the use of flogos (logos that fly), manned aircraft, or drones to create, transport, or display, advertising media.

The media can be static, such as a banner, logo, lighted sign or sponsorship branding. It can also be dynamic, such as animated lighted signage, skywriting or audio.

Aerial advertising is effective if a large target audience is gathered near the source of advertising.Balloons, skywriting, and banner towing are usually strategically located.

Long-range vehicles such as blimps and flogos can reach a broader audience along their flight route. Secondary distribution such as news media coverage, word of mouth and photos of aerial advertising can reach an extended audience.

Due to safety, privacy, and aesthetic reasons, the ability to perform aerial advertising is regulated by local and federal entities throughout the world.

Speaking to Woleshadarenews, Managing Director/CEO Skysigns, Mr. ‘Bosun Onalaja said three and half years ago, they realized that huge vacuum in aerial advertising, adding that people were more concerned with digital advertising.

“To show how serious we were, we found a partner in the United States; we acquired an aircraft. One of the advantages of banner towing is that for the three hours that your banner will be flown around Lagos for instance is that nearly 20 million people will see. This is unlike static advertisements which you only get to see only if you go to the area the billboard is erected’.

“Because it flies low, many people get to see it wherever they may be, people in Lagos will see your advert. It is very common in South Africa. We also have application for mapping and those who want to advertise their wedding, birthdays and others. People have come to make enquiries for their birthdays. We are fully authorized by NCAA, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA). We are partnering with a company in Germany for new technology on banner towing. We had enquiries from Mali. We had enquiries on Sunday for sight-seeing, area mapping and all the rest.

Skyads in South Africa is one of the biggest companies we have a sort of partnership with-this is the biggest in South Africa. Over the years they said they’ve reached over 40 to 50 million people. We faced a lot of obstacles in the lasts three and half years. We have been trying to get this off the ground, but here people are not used to change, its’ expensive but it’s the easiest way to catch total Audience, because restrictions with digital billboards and all sorts is that if you don’t drive past it you won’t see it, but this one you can see it everywhere”.

Onalaja said his firm aside from providing and pipeline surveillance to the Nigerian sector, the firm is the only source in West Africa for banner advertising.

He disclosed that they have invested a substantial amount in their fleet of aircraft which also include the logistics and intense level of training.

“Our highly trained pilots will fly banners for marriage proposals, birthdays, anniversaries, new birth celebrations, graduations, corporate advertising, branding opportunities and any other special occasion you can dream of no matter how big or small the event will be”.

Wole Shadare