Verge Aero Flies Drive-In Drone Show for AT&T's Summer Fest

	Verge Aero provided the high-flying, high-tech branding solution to announce the launch of 5G services in Puerto Rico by the event's main sponsor, AT&T. Photo: Verge Aero

Verge Aero delivered a stunning aerial performance on July 4 at Puerto Rico's first drive-in music festival, headlined by local artist Pedro Capó.

Promoted by Move Concerts (Puerto Rico) and No Limit Entertainment, the AT&T Drive-In Summer Fest was the island's first step towards the return of live events since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis.

Verge Aero was called in by Roly Garbalosa of Garba Music Corp to add its specialist technology to the event. A renowned production manager on the Latin American music scene, Garbalosa was looking for a spectacular way for the concert's main sponsor, communications company AT&T, to announce its launch of 5G network services in Puerto Rico.

With corporate sponsorship playing an increasingly major role in live events, Verge Aero's drone technology presents a high-flying, high-tech solution for spectacular branding in all kinds of outdoor environments. Its proprietary software enables the rapid creation of company logos, hashtags, marketing messages, and more, filling the sky with color, movement, speed, and precision while ensuring eye-catching brand delivery and a unique audience experience.

The fleet of 135 drones launched from a dedicated safe zone adjacent to the stage to perform the carefully choreographed show. Capping a memorable day for the audience, the drones created colorful, sky-high imagery including the Puerto Rican flag (which, with a magical three-dimensional touch, appeared to ripple in the breeze), plus a map of the island, red love-hearts, smiley faces, and the AT&T logo.

To execute the show, Verge Aero received special approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to fly the drones in the restricted airspace of San Juan's Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport. "The FAA inspectors came to visit the site, and were extremely satisfied with our technology and approach to safety," says Verge Aero's CEO, Nils Thorjussen.

Garbalosa comments, "It was a pleasure to work with the professional team from Verge Aero. The drones were a great addition to the production and the client was extremely satisfied. Verge Aero's technology, from programming and control to the drones themselves, is engineered especially for the needs of live event production, which is hugely important. This show highlights the huge potential for incorporating the right drone technology into entertainment events." "It was awesome to see crowds returning to a live event," says Thorjussen. "The cars helped maintain social distance and everyone seemed to have a great time. The crowd loved the show, and AT&T was pleased with the promotional impact of flying their brand high in the sky."