Repositioning Regional Airports as the Smarter Way to Fly

Brandon and Avelo Airlines Launch “If You Know, You Avelo,” Repositioning Regional Airports as the Smarter Way to Fly

The agency's first work as creative and media AOR launches across five origin markets

Brandon, named creative and media agency of record for Avelo Airlines in May 2026, has launched “If You Know, You Avelo,” a new campaign that introduces travelers to the convenience of nearby regional airports and encourages them to rethink how they fly. The campaign began rolling out in late June, with digital ads going live June 26 and additional placements following the week of June 29. Video and radio elements are set to launch upon completion.

The campaign is built to shift the long-held assumption that larger airports are the only option. It positions Avelo as the simpler, more convenient choice and is designed to drive awareness and consideration among net-new travelers who have not yet flown with the airline.

At the center of the creative is the idea of being let in on a secret. A paper airplane serves as the campaign's guiding visual metaphor, representing the simplicity and joy of travel before it gets swept up in the chaos of a crowded airport, only to reappear in the calm of a welcoming regional one. The storytelling leans on nostalgia and a sense of magic to reinforce the brand's promise.

Rather than exaggerated claims, the messaging highlights tangible benefits travelers can expect from flying Avelo: nearby, convenient regional airports; lower parking costs; faster security lines; nonstop flights; competitive fares; and access to destinations many travelers didn't realize were within reach.

The work rolled out across five bases — Charlotte / Concord, NC; Dallas / McKinney, TX; Philadelphia / Wilmington, DE; Orlando / Lakeland, FL; and New Haven, CT — with localized creative for each. The campaign ran through a full-funnel media mix including paid social on Meta and TikTok, YouTube pre-roll, display, digital audio, CTV/OTV, digital billboards, and high school athletic partnerships. Media placements included iHeart streaming and podcasts targeting listeners in priority zip codes, Audacy streaming and in-game professional sports (MLB and NFL), Cadent, and YouTube.

Creative was tailored by market, with each of the five markets receiving its own display units, dedicated TikTok and Meta executions in both subtle and heavier localizations, and shared :30 and :15 video spots and a radio spot.

“We all have that friend who always seems to know the better way to fly,” said Austin Scott, Chief Creative Officer at Brandon. “A lot of the time, it's not even the airline — it's the airport. Avelo flies nonstop, exclusively out of regional airports, so parking is easy and the lines are short. It's the best-kept secret in travel, and 'If You Know, You Avelo' is our way of letting people in on it.”