On today’s Billboard Insider podcast, SignBird founder John James talks about how drones can help you market your out of home company more effectively.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 19:35 — 27.0MB)
John give us an overview of SignBird and what you and your team do.
John James, SignBirdWe capture out of home on camera: drone in the sky; camera mounted on a car; or boots on the ground. SignBird’s job is to improve the way out of home is captured on camera.
What’s new at SignBird over the past year?
Last September we were acquired by Outdoorlink. It’s been a fantastic transition. We’re grown our team. We’ve added new clients…All SignBird employees are remote or here in Tuscaloosa.
Can you take pictures nationwide?
We’re an Alabama based company…We’ve been able to recruit some of the nations top drone pilot photographers. 30 states and counting. Someone asked me the other day how many pilots I have in my network…we have hundreds.
How can drones help an out of home company?
When we take that drone up in the sky we’re showing different types of value around a billboard location. We can see the long drive times. We can see the Walmart, the Chic-fil-A, the gas station, the grocery store that a traditional approach shot can’t capture. We can see all the commercial and residential development happening around a billboard location…When a media buyer approaches a billboard company they ask for two things when a campaign goes live…an approach shot and a glamour shot. I think we’re approaching a time when an additional drone shot is going to be requested by the media buyers…
Not everyone can fly a drone
There is a safety issue flying a drone. There is an insurance issue. You’ve got to be licensed…When you fly a commercial drone you’re entering…a new legal hoop…
Are there places you can’t fly a drone?
Absolutely. Any time you go to an airport. If a US president is in a given market you can’t put a drone in the sky. We’ve had that happen several times in Atlanta.
What’s the key to taking good digital billboard pictures.
It’s all about controlling the brightness of the screen. The way we combat that is using filters that darken the shot…
Advice on photos and videos
I have a free guide you can download on our website: 5 Tips To Improve Your Billboard Photos.
Invest in good equipment. The iPhone can come a long way but I think there is no substitute for quality equipment…Hire an intern…someone to get good with that camera.
You’re spending six figures on a structure and LED yet you don’t want to spend $500 on a good camera?
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