World Advertising News

A Fresno advertising company is taking local marketing efforts to new heights.

Boling Associates bought a 150-foot long airship, manufactured in Germany, to display signs and ads for clients from at least 1,000 feet up in the sky.

The airship, which is similar to the Goodyear blimp, has banners on both sides that are nearly 2,000 square feet in size, said Chris Boling, vice president and chief strategic officer.

But unlike the Goodyear blimp, the airship is filled with hot air like a hot air balloon, not helium. That reduces expenses, Boling said.

Advertising on a helium blimp that flies over a major sporting event could cost about $400,000 a day, Boling said. "We can do campaigns for far less than that," he said. Airships "are becoming very popular over in Europe. They haven't hit the United States so far."

But the Central Valley has an ideal climate to try this form of advertising, Boling said.

The hot-air airship flies at a minimum of 1,000 feet and a maximum of 11,000 feet. It has a non-pressurized cabin that can carry 1,500 pounds including a pilot and passengers. Boling said the cabin affords opportunities for clients to host riders as a perk or to raffle rides as fundraising opportunities for charities.

The Boling airship is being made in Germany. Boling hopes it will be completed by the end of March.

Tired of the same old fitness club routine? Nick Wilson knows how you feel. That's why he created Circuit Box Fitness, the new gym in the Olivewood Plaza on Highway 65 in Lindsay.

Circuit Box offers 12 exercise stations that complete an entire exercise program. A timer tells users when they're done on each machine. Two times through the circuit takes about 30 minutes.

"We created it this way so you use different machines to give you a full workout," Wilson said. "The machines provide push, pull, extensions and curls, all basic movements that use small and large muscle groups."

Circuit Box features Life Fitness machines (Wilson said the equipment works well for both gym rats and first-timers), has a personal trainer and is open during off-hours for members through a keyless entry system.

Membership to the Circuit Box is $30 a month with no long-term contracts or penalties for canceling membership. Details: Circuit Box Fitness, (559) 679-1065.

Two San Joaquin Valley engineering, surveying and environmental firms have merged. Quad Knopf and Fremming, Parson & Pecchenino announced their plans last week.

The Merced-based FP&P, which was founded more than 62 years ago, and the 40-year-old Quad Knopf, with offices in Fresno, Visalia, Roseville and Bakersfield, have worked together on projects for years.

The merger allows each firm to add to their areas of expertise and expand into new locations. After a transition period, the business will be known as Quad Knopf.

BoNhia Lee, Robert Rodriguez and Bethany Clough contributed to Word on the Street. It was compiled by Clough. The reporter can be reached at (559) 441-6431, bclough@fresnobee.com or @BethanyClough on Twitter.