Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE)

travel smarter, not harder

Ad creative & paid media

Since 2020, Flock and Rally has served as the advertising agency of record for Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE), shaping its brand identity and media strategy. In 2024, we launched the “Travel Smarter, Not Harder” campaign to address a key challenge: many Midlands travelers were bypassing CAE for larger airports, assuming they offered better flight options or lower fares. Our goal was to shift perceptions by emphasizing CAE’s convenience, efficiency and stress-free travel experience—ultimately saving travelers time and hassle.

The campaign used bold visuals and benefits-driven messaging, balancing aspirational travel imagery with practical reasons to choose CAE first. In addition to highlighting ease of travel, messaging showcased the end destinations of CAE’s non-stop flights, reinforcing the airport’s connectivity to key markets. 

We executed a comprehensive paid media strategy, integrating broadcast and connected TV, streaming audio, print, paid social, digital display, newsletters and out-of-home placements across key Midlands’ zip codes and high-traffic corridors like I-77. Quarterly creative refreshes kept engagement high, with tailored messaging for business and leisure travelers.

The campaign delivered an estimated 60.7 million impressions, significantly increasing CAE’s visibility. Messaging centered on convenience, time savings and destination appeal helped drive strong engagement across digital and traditional channels. By combining broad-reach tactics with precise digital targeting, the campaign successfully reinforced CAE’s brand identity, encouraged users to check CAE first when booking travel, and contributed to long-term loyalty among local travelers.

Beyond paid media execution, we continue to manage CAE’s advertising creative and strategic consultation, ensuring a cohesive and compelling brand presence. Through targeted messaging and precise media placement, we reinforce CAE’s commitment to providing travelers with a seamless, hassle-free experience.