Sanjoy Saha Mondal, Founder
What common do you see on board in Indigo, Spicejet, Air Asia and GoAir? These are airlines driven by branding. For instance, once Air Asia transformed its passenger flight into a crazy Kabali-themed experience. Noticing the fan following of the superstar Rajnikanth, AirAsia launched #AirAsiaKabali which is considered to be one of the most popular campaigns in the history of airline branding. Not only this, for the airborne promotion of the movie, AirAsia devoted a special livery, rebranded the aircraft with the movie's poster and uploaded on AirAsia's Facebook page. As a welcome gesture, they offered the flyers with Rajini glasses and shawls, served them with Kabali special in-flight breakfast and kept them engaged through his few movies throughout the journey.

This is one such example of airline branding that has soared up in the recent years. As privatization and commercialization of airports have become a global trend, several airlines have managed to put more emphasis on their airline and aircraft branding. The trajectory of airline branding is much like that of an airport branding. With airline branding gaining traction each day, it has opened up a plethora of opportunities for advertisers to foray into the new age and carve their own niche.

Airlines building Communities
Today, branding has become an important element for getting an airlines voice heard. From word-of-mouth to above the line advertising, airlines at present are trying to grab the attention - right from passengers stepping to the airports to the completion of their journey. Each of it represents a moment to connect to a community, ensures trusted experience, and ultimately stores in the passengers' memory.

This is where Kolkata based Align Media stands out. Starting off with the objective to perform innovative advertising at airlines & airports, Align Media today is recognized as one of the topmost specialists in airlines, airports & allied OOH media space. The company is the brainchild of Sanjoy Saha Mondal, an astute leader with over three decades of experience across FMCG, durables, media buying and selling and brand management. An out-of-the-box thinker, Sanjoy has a proven track record of building networks and that has helped him to step into the business of airline advertising.

" A leading name in Asia. Align Media has partnered with 20 airlines worldwide with reaching 200 million flyers annually with generating a turnover of 500 lakhs in 2017-18"

“Before and during flight, the right audience has a lot of time while waiting or sitting in the aircraft and therefore is open-minded for new advertising campaigns and products. In fact, it has brought in the ample chances to communicate directly and captivate their undivided attention. We are trying to make the highest brand recall and effectively impact the clients advertising campaign,” says Sanjoy.

Capturing Undivided Attention
Launched in 2013 as a media space selling and marketing company, Align Media caters services right from checking-in time to witnessing the various innovative Static In-flight Media while entering the aircraft. Sanjoy adds, “At Align, we cater to all sorts of airport advertising, branding, and promotional works. Beyond that, we have a place for brands at every touch point so that it doesn’t go unnoticed.”

A leading name in Asia, at present it has partnered with 20 airlines worldwide with reaching 200 million flyers annually. Some of the notable clients include PNB, Manipur Tourism, Govt. of Madhya Pradesh, Assam Tourism, Hindustan Unilever, Manyavar, Berger, LIC and more.

Digital is the New Kid in the Block

Investment in digital media across varied dimensions had turned it from 'experiential' to 'essential'. With any product, branding and building influence is a key component for the development of airlines, especially in today's competitive world. That's where transforming to digital plays a massive role.

The airline branding is swiftly embracing the digital advances. As customer experience is the buzzword, airlines leave no stone unturned to integrate digital strategy in their platform. The digital stride will not only enhance the experience but also provide insights in real time, connect all through the platform and keep the flyers engaged throughout. The brand presence automatically increases attention, generates amplifying revenue traction, overall benefits and impacts the airline advertising media space by 2X growth and opens enormous opportunities for the airline, airport branding, and advertising space.

Keeping line with this, Align Media soon is planning to bring in a digital platform whereby advertisers will be able to reach the hands of consumers and thrive towards growth – equally for brands and advertisers. From wrapping conveyor belts at the airport to aircraft, the journey of Align Media has been interesting so far. Recently, it has been successful in running a campaign for Govt. of Indonesia. Growing at a space of 4X Year on Year, Align envisions capturing the Indian and Southeast Asia market.

Panel 1 :
Creating an Competitive Edge Over Others
. One of the topmost specialists in airlines, airports & allied OOH media space

. Has partnered with 20 airlines worldwide with reaching 200 million flyers annually

. Embracing digital advances with bringing in a digital platform whereby advertisers will be able to reach the hands of consumers and thrive towards growth