Austin, Texas – Film and entertainment company Paramount has given a glimpse of the future of advertising with a night-time drone display that appeared over this year’s SXSW conference.
Following in the footsteps of drone displays seen at global cultural events, such as New Year’s Eve and Olympic celebrations, Paramount is reported to have deployed more than 400 illuminated drones over the city of Austin.
Transforming mid-air into the company’s logo and a ‘clickable’ QR code, the stunt was an advertisement for Halo, its upcoming sci-fi series based on the well-known Xbox game franchise of the same name.
The showcase is reported to have measured some 300 feet tall and 600 feet wide and demonstrates how an event, product launch or experience can be brought to life in a creative and eye-catching way for members of the public. Yet it also reflects growing conversation about the commodification of the night sky by drones and satellites, and the implications of space advertising, something we explore in our interview with StartRocket.
Strategic opportunity
Beyond advertising, brands and agencies can explore the use of drone displays to impart important public information – this must be done, however, with care and consideration for urban environments and public security