HELI-D CEO Simon Powell on Turning the Sky Into Digital Media

HELI-D CEO Simon Powell on Turning the Sky Into Digital Media

From AdTechGod Pod by AdTechGod, The AdTech God

May 21, 2026 · 16 min

About this episode

Simon Powell discusses how HELI-D is transforming out-of-home advertising with innovative aerial digital billboards.

In this episode of the AdTechGod Pod, Simon Powell, CEO of HELI-D, shares how his company is redefining out-of-home advertising with flying digital billboards attached to helicopters. From launching campaigns for MTV, Disney, Pepsi, Xbox, and VaynerX to creating immersive aerial activations that generate massive earned media, Simon breaks down the future of flying digital media and why emotional, high-impact advertising still matters. The conversation explores the evolution of aerial advertising, the technology powering HELI-D's LED helicopter screens, QR code engagement at massive live events, and what comes next for digital out-of-home, including drones and integrated media experiences. Takeaways HELI-D evolved from traditional helicopter banners into fully digital flying LED billboards. Simon Powell transitioned from investment banking into aviation and advertising entrepreneurship. Early innovation included projection technology that turned helicopter banners into flying cinema screens. HELI-D’s breakthrough campaign debuted at the MTV VMAs with Viacom in 2016. Disney partnered with HELI-D for large-scale experiential aerial activations. The company has executed campaigns for…

People in this episode

Host: AdTechGod

Guest: Simon Powell

Topics covered

  • out-of-home advertising
  • digital media
  • aerial advertising
  • LED technology
  • emotional advertising
  • campaign strategies

Keywords

  • HELI-D
  • digital billboards
  • aerial advertising
  • LED screens
  • emotional advertising
  • campaigns
  • technology
  • earned media

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: HELI-D, MTV, Disney, Pepsi, Xbox, VaynerX, Viacom

Products: QR code

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