Advertising and fun met in the sky over Decatur this year for the 36th Annual Alabama Jubilee. The event draws thousands of spectators for sky-high races, games and glows — it’s listed as among the top 20 tourist attractions in the Southeast — but it’s also a chance for businesses to reach potential customers in the ultimate product placement style of advertising.
Pepsi, Re/Max, Daikin, Rafferty’s, Touchstone Energy Cooperatives and Vanderbilt University Medical Center are among companies that let their logos drift before a captivated crowd during the festivities.
The balloon is “invaluable to our branding and visibility, ” says Re/Max Platinum owner Terry Taylor, the local franchise sponsor for the famous Re/Max balloon.
“Seeing a hot air balloon with a company logo has a longevity for name recognition that far exceeds the average stationary billboard, ” says Bill Wahl, pilot for Daiken America’s balloon. “It is a medium that instantly attracts the view to the message.”
Text and Photo by Dennis Keim
