GE Presents Centennial Of Flight Aviation Innovation Inspires PR Innovation

GE, a key player in aviation innovation for the past 90 years, planned to produce an exhibit of its GE90, the world's most powerful commercial jet engine. The exhibit was connected to Rockefeller Center's The Centennial of Flight Celebration, produced by GE and the U.S. Centennial Commission. Peppercom was brought in to help position GE as an aviation leader and drive interest in the exhibit.

Peppercom began by securing interviews with leading U.S. national business and trade reporters, as well as creating excitement for a series of GE events held at Rockefeller Center, such as the opening gala attended by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. We also worked to drive consumer traffic directly to the exhibit, which was accomplished by distributing over 100,000 GE-branded balsa wood airplanes throughout New York City.

During the centennial, we showcased the GE90 jet engine in GE's Imagine the Power tent, complete with special effects to bring the engine's power to life. Peppercom also hosted a Children's Day at the tent, which included giveaways, an exhibit of child-inventor creations and on-site demonstrations by NASA astronauts.

Over 2.8 million people visited the Imagine the Power exhibit, with thousands of New Yorkers and tourists taking photographs with the GE90. The event kick-off was featured on CNBC as well as the Today Show, and print coverage included The Associated Press, The New York Times, USA Today, Washington Post, Newsday, Japan Today and The Connecticut Post. Children's Day saw thousands of visitors, as well as pre- and post-event coverage in The New York Times, Newsday, WNBC-TV and WCBS-TV. Total media impressions reached over 80 million.