In our day many are advertising by banner towing to quickly get their message to a large group of people. The banner message may be as long as 120 feet or even more. Usually the lettering is seven feet tall. Once the banner is made, an airplane swooped down, snags it with a hook, and pulls it into the sky. For an hour or two after that, everyone looking up will be able to read the message.

Aerial banner (a.k.a. aerial billboard) ads are similar to highway billboard messages but pulled behind planes. The message either contains logos, words, or photographs. They are used to advertise a product, a service, a charity, or a special event. Individuals have used banners to recognize an achievement, to congratulate someone on an honor, or even to propose marriage.

Our political system is set up so that politicians are always looking for voter support. Of course, every four years is a major election and two years later a minor one nationally. Local elections vary with districts. Some candidates are now using aerial ads to get their candidacy known, and there is good reason. Banner or billboard ads are perfect for political promotion. Consider these reasons why.

First, a banner or billboard ad can focus on just a particular constituency. Unlike printed ads that could be available to people far outside the voting district of the candidate, or TV ads that must be repeated to be sure people see them, banner ads fly over just the area of a city, county, or state of the candidate's jurisdiction.

Second, banner ads reach a very large number of people in a few minutes. Effective politicians will get out and shake the hands of as many people as possible. But it isn't possible to meet everyone. A billboard or banner flying over a large gathering of people will put the candidate's name and slogan in front of the people in just minutes.

Third, billboards can display a picture of the candidate. Imagine a billboard of a candidate moving from a stationary stand and flying over every person in the district! The drone of the engine grabs people's attention. The banner flying overhead demands to be read. Then, when it is time to vote, the citizens will recognize their name and, possibly, vote for that candidate.

Yes, personal contact is best. Nothing beats getting out, meeting the people, and finding out what is important to them. But the banner or billboard going before or after the visit will only reinforce this is a candidate who wants their vote. All this culminates in the potential for more votes on election day.

Finally, a big advantage of aerial banners is the cost. Banners are a one time expense but, if the candidate plans to run again, the banner can be stored and reused without additional production cost. This is a claim few other methods of advertising could make. Overall, it is one of the cheapest methods of getting a candidate's name before the people. Many have used aerial adveritising and can attest to its effectiveness.