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In an era of marketing oversaturation—where brands are omnipresent across digital platforms, out-of-home (OOH) advertising, television, newspapers, and beyond—marketers are constantly searching for innovative ways to break through the clutter. One emerging technology making waves in the industry is drone advertising, a visually striking medium that has the potential to redefine audience engagement.
Drone advertising has gained significant traction in recent years with brands leveraging hundreds of drones to create captivating displays in the sky, showcasing logos, slogans and animated visuals. The major benefit of this is that it not only immerses the audience but also generates social media buzz for the brand.
One recent example of a brand leveraging drones to amplify brand presence is Zomato, which in March 2025 held a Ramazan drone show in Hyderabad. The show, brought to life by Botlab Dynamics, featured the brand’s name alongside names and visuals of famous dishes such as Haleem, along with a tag - Get Haleem in 10 mins and names of famous restaurants in the city such as Pista House, Shah Ghouse and Mehfil. This show grabbed significant attention for the brand both through people watching it live and through social media.
Sarita Ahlawat, Co-founder & MD, BotLab Dynamics, told e4m, “The market price for a 100-drone show starts at Rs 10 lakhs, making it one of the most visually impactful and cost-effective advertising tools available today. A drone show’s pricing depends on factors like design intricacy, show duration, location logistics, and regulatory clearances. The more drones involved, the more detailed and immersive the storytelling can be.”
Ahlawat further revealed that she has worked with many big brands in the past and has organised shows for their brand/product launches. Some of the brands are Mercedes Maybach, Godrej Properties in Hyderabad, HOABL, Mahindra Lifespaces' (Citadel) launch and AXOR. “These campaigns were designed to align the brand's vision with creative aerial storytelling, creating a powerful visual experience that resonated with the audience.”
Speaking on future projects, she said, “We are currently pioneering drone light show campaigns for a diverse range of esteemed brands. We are also engaged in several ongoing projects with some of India’s most prominent brands. While confidentiality agreements prevent us from disclosing specific details, we are continuously innovating in the field of drone-based advertising. Each project is approached with a fresh perspective, combining cutting-edge drone technology with creative narratives to deliver unforgettable brand experiences.”
Meanwhile, Nitin Rastogi, National Head, InteractX, Interspace Communications Pvt. Ltd., believes that only the brands with the financial clout to invest in such a campaign are the ones engaging in it. He further added that companies like General Electric and Netflix have utilised drone shows to create impactful marketing experiences, indicating a broader industry movement towards this innovative medium.
Drone experts further suggested that the pricing for a single drone show could go up to Rs 30 lakh, depending on the scale of the project and the number of drones used. Gautam Pahwa, DGCA-certified Drone Pilot, Aerial Cinematographer and FPV Drone Pilot who operates under the name of Polaris Drone Shots said, “The cost of drone advertising largely depends on its scale. One key factor is the number of drones used, as each drone functions like a pixel in a larger image. Typically, a minimum of 100-150 drones is required to create a visually impactful display, with the quality improving as more drones are added.
Budget-wise, prices can go upward, depending on the complexity of the show. For large-scale events such as concerts or major brand activations, costs can rise significantly, reaching Rs 20-30 lakh or more. Pricing also varies based on the company executing the display, as competition in the Indian market can lead to fluctuating rates.”
ROI factor
But if a brand is investing this kind of money on a single show, what does the return on investment (ROI) look like?
According to Ahlawat, drone advertising represents a revolutionary shift from traditional Out-of-Home (OOH) advertising, offering a significantly higher return on investment through enhanced visibility, engagement, and measurable impact. She said that while traditional OOH formats, such as billboards and static displays, struggle with accurate tracking and audience engagement, drone shows stand out by creating dynamic, attention-grabbing spectacles. These events naturally draw audiences to record and share the displays, leading to exponential organic reach through social media. She further added that this phenomenon not only amplifies brand presence but also extends the life cycle of the campaign as content is shared, reshared, and circulated long after the event itself.
“Furthermore, drone shows offer precise data on audience size and engagement metrics, something traditional OOH can’t match. At BotLab Dynamics, we ensure that each show is meticulously recorded and the content is made accessible to brands for post-event analysis and digital marketing. This ability to track and measure success makes drone advertising a more data-driven and strategic investment,” Ahlawat said, adding that the experiential nature of drone shows creates a memorable and emotional connection between the brand and its audience, which is difficult to achieve through conventional OOH methods. “As a result, brands can expect a much stronger brand recall and heightened consumer engagement, translating into a superior ROI.”
Challenges
Like any emerging technology, drone advertising comes with its challenges. Experts warn that it could contribute to audience fatigue, as brands already dominate digital screens, outdoor spaces, and now even the night sky. Additionally, environmental and regulatory concerns pose significant hurdles, with restrictions on airspace usage and potential ecological impacts adding to the complexities of widespread adoption.
Rastogi said, “Executing drone advertising campaigns involves navigating challenges such as stringent regulations, weather dependencies, high initial costs, and complex logistics. Ensuring compliance with legal requirements and managing operational constraints are also critical for success.”
The challenges were further explained by Pahwa, who said that regulatory challenges are a significant hurdle for drone advertising. “Navigating the bureaucracy and securing approvals can be a time-consuming and complex process, often causing delays. However, one clear advantage drones have is sustainability—especially compared to fireworks.”
He further added that during festive seasons like Diwali, when weddings and large events peak, fireworks contribute to heavy air pollution and reduced visibility. This can make drone shows impractical, as smoggy skies hinder the display’s impact. While drones rely on GPS, poor visibility can still diminish their effectiveness, making timing and environmental conditions crucial factors for successful execution.
Pahwa further shared that while India is just starting, for other countries such as Dubai it is already getting outdated. “During my recent visit to Dubai, I had discussions with drone operators about the state of drone advertising. Interestingly, it seems that in Dubai, the trend is already becoming outdated. While drone shows are still being used, they are no longer as prominent as they were last year, with the industry exploring alternative approaches—possibly integrating drones with fireworks or other creative elements,” he said.
He further added that in contrast, China continues to push the boundaries of drone technology. Their advancements in drone software, programming, and execution place them far ahead of India and most other countries. According to him, the scale and quality of their drone shows, featuring intricate three-dimensional figures and highly sophisticated displays, are truly impressive.
Pahwa added, “India, on the other hand, is still in the early stages of drone advertising. What is being done here now is similar to what other countries were doing a decade ago. The designs and animations remain relatively basic compared to the complex and immersive visuals seen in China. The gap lies not just in technology but also in expertise, software, and execution. However, as the industry evolves, India has the potential to catch up and carve its own space in the global drone advertising landscape.”
Can it become a mainstream trend?
Even while drone advertising has not yet found a solid foothold in India, more brands may adopt it in years to come.
According to Pahwa, the adoption of drone advertising in India will likely depend on how quickly it gains mainstream acceptance. “From my experience working with marketing professionals, there’s a noticeable hesitation to invest in emerging technologies until they see others doing it successfully. Many brands prefer to wait and observe the market response before committing their budgets.”
He added that for drone advertising to truly take off, the quality must be exceptional—but achieving that requires significant investment. If brands and event organisers are willing to allocate substantial budgets, such as Rs 50 lakh for a high-quality aerial display, the industry can evolve. However, cost-cutting and excessive bargaining could lead to compromises in execution, ultimately affecting the overall impact and slowing its mainstream adoption.
“In terms of early adopters, event companies seem the most likely to embrace drone advertising, especially as fireworks face increasing restrictions. Concerts, film promotions, corporate seminars, and award shows could also integrate drone displays to create visually stunning experiences. Additionally, large-scale national events like Republic Day celebrations might explore drones as an alternative to traditional aerial displays involving helicopters,” he shared.
However, Ahlawat suggested that drone advertising is poised to become a mainstream format in India, primarily due to its unique ability to captivate audiences and generate organic social media traction. She added that in a world dominated by digital engagement, visual spectacles have a profound impact, encouraging audiences to record, share, and discuss the event.
She said, “The novelty of drone shows, combined with the ability to create customised brand stories, makes them particularly appealing for marketers looking to break through the clutter of traditional advertising. Unlike static OOH formats, drone shows are dynamic and immersive, making the audience feel like an integral part of the experience. This fosters a deeper emotional connection with the brand, something conventional advertising often fails to achieve.”
Ahlawat further shared an example of the Lifebuoy Mahakumbh campaign, which strategically leveraged a culturally significant event to capture the audience’s attention. The drone display was not just a visual marvel but also a cultural statement, leading to widespread social sharing and prolonged brand exposure.
This was further reiterated by Rastogi, who concluded that drone advertising is revolutionising experiential marketing by offering unprecedented visual spectacles that captivate audiences, enhance brand storytelling, and create memorable, shareable experiences.
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