With a little over a month to go until the much-anticipated release of Disney's Planes, the studio's marketing push is in full swing. The official Planes website has been revamped and includes several new sections, including FlewTube, a library of Planes trailers and other aviation-themed footage; an online games section featuring two games, Jet Stream Racers and Propwash Pursuit, that revolve around America’s favorite new ag plane, Dusty Crophopper; and the official online shop for Planes apparel, toys and merchandise, including Dusty T-shirts and sneakers and customized Planes iPad cases, mouse pads and mugs. Promotional artwork of various Planes characters is also available for download, including wallpaper art for your computer, tablet or mobile device and Facebook-compatible timeline art. 

The virtual games could help recruit a new generation of junior ag pilots. Jet Stream Racers puts players in control of Dusty Crophopper as they attempt to earn points and avoid running out of fuel. In Propwash Pursuit, players help Dusty train and qualify for the Wings Around the Globe rally. Furthermore, a Planes video game for the Nintendo Wii and other Nintendo devices releases Aug. 6. Finally, the Wings Around the Web Sweepstakes allows participants to accumulate points that could result in prizes. 

Disney has also entered into a clever marketing partnership with American Airlines that cross-promotes the movie and the airline. Last week Disney and American introduced Tripp, a character from the film inspired in part by American’s new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Klay Hall, who directed Planes, also directed a custom animated commercial for American that features Dusty, Tripp and El Chupacabra, another character from the film. You can watch the ad spot, titled “Something’s Different About American,” by clicking the play arrow below. Additional images of Tripp and a short movie trailer with a cameo by Tripp are available at aa.com/disneyplanes. Leading up to the film’s release, the companies will be rolling out integrated marketing initiatives, including collaborated advertising, promotions and inflight entertainment. American will also feature an inflight version of the movie in October, one month earlier than other airlines.

The cover story of Agricultural Aviation’s July/August issue features a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Planes. Members’ print copies are en route, but electronic versions of the cover story and full issue are available now in the magazine section of the website. The issue’s cover artwork was created by Walt Disney Studios exclusively for NAAA and Agricultural Aviation.