Small guys on big planes

Hobbits. Know'em? Like'em? Seen'em in the movies? Would you use them for PR or promotional purposes?

This is old news, but let's have a look anyway (and let's favor NZ at Australia's expense for a moment). Air New Zealand had Frodo and Sam pictured on one of its Boeings way back when Lord of the Rings was a new and exciting film trilogy as a big marketing effort.

My first question would be "Hmm, does this sort of promotion benefit most Air New Zealand or the film-makers?". Then I read the article that I just linked and came to the conclusion: neither.

Not to underestimate the profits made by Peter Jackson & Co. or Air NZ, Elijah Wood and Sean Astin depicted on a huge aeroplane is a gargantuan boost to New Zealand tourism. That's who wins most here, relatively speaking. That is, if you ask me.

It's interesting how a godsend like this can provide free and "easy" material for promotion. Well, at least if you don't quickly get sick of the film and all things involved therein.

Tuomas