First Freshman Selected as Piper/Flight Training Promoter

Piper Aircraft has announced the extension of a little-known brand ambassador program, this time opening at Minnesota State University at Mankato (MNSU).

Those selected to be Piper Ambassadors advertize Piper products through the publication of updates and posts along their pilot training experience. The program was jointly offered in collaboration with the university as an affordable, interactive way to showcase Piper's portfolio of flight training products and MNSU educational offerings for prospective pilots. 

The growth of the "Brand Ambassador", - or as they're often known, Influencer - industry has been explosive in the preceding decade, ultimately estimated to be worth nearly $14 billion overall. Companies that use smaller, more intimately connected micro-influencers are often better and more cost effective for engagement, especially for niche, highly specified products like flight training.

Mainstream, widely populated sites like Instagram, Tiktok, and Youtube have all provided a turnkey audience with just the right amount of content moderation for brand comfort, allowing them to vicariously advertise to dedicated, highly enthusiastic audiences with minimal potential for gaffes. 

The first of the new extended MNSU ambassadors is Elle Taylor, freshman. She will join 5 similarly selected students from other collegiate flight programs throughout the US, primarily posting from her instagram account about the aerospace program and campus lifestyle. No information as to what benefits, pay, or accoutrements are provided as a part of the relationship, if any exist.

“Elle is currently training to obtain her Private Pilot’s license and is pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Aviation in Professional Flight. She is very involved at Minnesota State University and currently serves as the event coordinator for her residence hall and is a member of the Aviation Learning Community organization at MNSU,” said Piper spokeswoman Jackie Carlon, senior director of marketing and corporate communications. “Elle’s outgoing personality and passion for aviation make her the ideal Brand Ambassador for Piper Aircraft and MNSU. We look forward to following her aviation journey.”

FMI: www.piper.com