Airship advertising to make debut in Hong Kong soon

<p>HONG KONG: Lightship Asia-Pacific, a partnership between the Virgin </p><p>Airships & Balloon and American Blimp, has confirmed a short-term </p><p>contract in Hong Kong, with plans for the airship to land in the SAR </p><p>next month. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Airship advertising is an integrated media buy, according to Francis </p><p>Chiew, managing director at Lightship Asia-Pacific, offering aerial </p><p>advertising, media coverage, sales promotion, aerial filming and a </p><p>corporate flagship. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The company, which was set up in Singapore in 1999, has been looking to </p><p>expand operations to Hong Kong and China. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>A month-long contract to use the airship can cost about USdollars </p><p>200,000. While Chiew acknowledged that, "not every company can afford </p><p>the airship", he said Lightship had secured a three-month contract with </p><p>a multinational. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"We're not looking at small businesses, but at large multinationals that </p><p>can afford this type of advertising and promotion. At this stage the </p><p>contract has been confirmed, but due to other obstacles, it has been put </p><p>on hold and we can not disclose the name of our client." </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Chiew explained gaining approval from the Hong Kong government's lands </p><p>department had been problematic, despite support from the Hong Kong </p><p>Tourism Board (HKTB). </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"After looking at various sites, we decided the old airport, Kai Tak, </p><p>would offer the best space. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"In comparison to the government, the HKTB has been very supportive and </p><p>has gone as far as to actively assist us in our search for a suitable </p><p>location," said Chiew. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Lightship is in discussion with local airlines and is "considering using </p><p>the airship to offset a mileage programme". It will also launch a </p><p>campaign for the Cancer Fund in Hong Kong in mid-July. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Lightship also expects to be operating in India and China within the </p><p>next year. "We see India and China as the biggest markets for </p><p>growth. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>We're presently waiting for our China license, and in Mumbai we are </p><p>looking at theme parks. And with the World Cup, Korea and Japan present </p><p>considerable opportunities." </p><p><BR><BR> </p>