Distinctive illustration-based ads for leading trade shows use celebratory messaging – “Hallelujah” and “O Happy Day” – to communicate the joy and transformational change of this new connectivity option. Great new video and photography from dedicated shoots showcase the business user using Facetime, streaming video, downloading large files and more. Comparison charts clarify complicated offerings. A direct mail campaign to Early Bird customers ensures regular, positive communication to this key group and branded thank-you gifts helps keep them onboard and feeling appreciated. One of the most popular included SmartSky-blue Ray-Ban sunglasses.
Going up against a goliath competitor like Gogo requires courage and SmartSky’s team has that in spades. It’s born of confidence. They know they have the better product. For both airframe and cockpit applications. The industry understands the benefits not just to passengers in the cabin, but fuel efficiency, carbon emissions, weather monitoring, flight planning, safety indicators and myriad other internet of things (IoT) applications. Operators are signing up. But perhaps even more encouraging, Gogo, after repeated claims that SmartSky’s system wouldn’t work, announced it too will roll out similar ground-based technology. But it’s got considerable catching up to do. SmartSky got out of the gate first and, in this game, it’s all about who’s ready to play.