The Changing Face of Russian Helicopters

By Mike Hampson

Russia - July 8, 2013 - Before the Russian government created Russian Helicopters on August 16, 2007, there were several Russian helicopter plants — including Mil and Kamov — each with its own website. Consolidation of these enterprises into one holding company was completed some time ago, but their individual websites remained online until March 11 of this year, when they were taken down to focus attention on Russian Helicopters’ consolidated website, www.russianhelicopters.aero.

If you haven't seen the Russian Helicopters website, it’s worth a look. With an attractive modern design highlighting the company’s new name, logo and slogan (“Experience and Innovation”), the website is comprehensive and easy to navigate. The quality of Russian Helicopters’ online presence mirrors the quality of its products, which are appreciated around the world for being well-built, rugged and reliable.

I recently had the opportunity to interview Roman Kirillov of Russian Helicopters about the Russian Helicopters website, and how it reflects the company’s broader approach toward integrating its legendary brands.

Question. What is the thinking behind the formation of one Russian Helicopters company?

Answer. Consolidating all of the Russian helicopter design and construction enterprises into one holding company makes great sense from a commercial point of view. By bringing together some of the world's most famous and most respected helicopter manufacturers, we were able to create a powerhouse capable of competing in the global marketplace.

Russian-made helicopters are operating in more than 100 countries around the world, and account for about 14 percent of global helicopter fleets. Last year we were by a long way the market leader in Russia, also taking 14 percent of the market share of sales worldwide. Together we are much stronger, and are able to benefit from synergies between the strengths of our brands.

Question. How has restructuring and putting all the Russian helicopter plants under one organization improved Russian helicopters?

Answer. The great advantage of combining all of Russia's helicopter manufacturing assets into one company is that we have created a company that is more than the sum of its parts. Russian Helicopters today is a global powerhouse that offers the full cycle of helicopter manufacturing, from design and testing to the actual build and then subsequently the after-sales maintenance and service. We have achieved significant economies of scale, and are able to offer an unrivaled model range of helicopters, particularly in the medium class.

Furthermore we are able to benefit from combining the expertise of some of the world's best-known design and manufacturing companies. An obvious example of this is the National Helicopter Building Centre that has been established outside of Moscow based on the Mil and Kamov bureaux. With our position of global strength in terms of sales we are also able to think globally regarding other aspects of our business too, this means areas such as after-sales service, where we are rolling out a global network of centers to provide maintenance and upgrade services to Russian built helicopters wherever they are flying in the world.

Question. How did Russian Helicopters come up with the new Russian Helicopters branding, identity, logo and slogan?

Answer. The Russian Helicopters logo is a simple and striking design that reflects what the company does. A modern company active in today's global marketplace. The slogan "Experience And Innovation" characterizes the company's activity: the companies that make up Russian Helicopters draw on more than 60 years of expertise in the design of modern and progressive helicopters by using the latest innovative technologies and cooperating with international partners.

Question. Tell me about your new logo, what was the reasoning and inspiration behind this new logo?

Answer. The logo is a dynamic and powerful reflection of Russian Helicopters that retains the recognition we have built up over the years while creating a new brand with a forward-looking, clean and modern style. It combines a circle and three helicopter blades, using asymmetry to create a dynamic effect. The typeface used for the name Russian Helicopters is the same as that in the logo of our parent company, Oboronprom, which creates a visual link between the two enterprises and strengthens the recognition of the brand. The color scheme used is also the same, for similar reasons.

Question. When did Russian Helicopters actually launch their new website?

Answer. The site was launched in 2010.

Question. Tell me about the new Russian Helicopters' website and its purpose?

Answer. The new website aims to be a single resource for operators of Russian Helicopters, potential customers and eventually investors, providing information about our company and our products and services.

We are striving to meet the standards expected from a leading global company; this includes communication with all current and potential stakeholders in our business and anyone with an interest in Russian helicopter manufacturing. The Russian Helicopters website is continually being updated to reflect current trends. It is very popular with users from around the world, and is available in three languages — Russian, English and Spanish.

Question. Have the names Kamov, Kazan, Mil, etc. gone forever? Will these names (and corresponding logos) ever be used again on newly made Russian helicopters?

Answer. The names have certainly not gone forever. Russian Helicopters is extremely fortunate to be the owner of brands that can without exaggeration be described as legendary in the world of helicopter manufacturing. So it would be foolish, not to mention almost insulting, to the history of those great names to try to reinvent the wheel by creating something entirely new. We are very proud of our history, and will continue promoting Mil, Kamov etc. under one brand.

Visit Russian Helicopters' website: www.russianhelicopters.aero

Mike Hampson is the owner of Helicopter Links (www.helicopterlinks.com) based in San Diego, California, USA.

Vertical Magazine's article.

The Internet, Websites, Search Engine Optimization And The Helicopter Industry.

Many businesses have or want a website but with the internet being so big and vast, how does one direct traffic to your site? There are multiple ways to gain more web traffic such as search engine optimization, relevant links to your site, articles, blogs, social media and directories to name a few.  

When the correct search terms are used, many businesses would prefer their website to appear on the first page of Google's search results, this is called having your website search engine optimized. The question one needs to ask is, "How does your company website perform when applicable search terms, such as these below, are typed into search engines?"

You can try the Search Engine Optimization Test: In any search engine, copy and paste the search phrase and see where your company, if applicable, is listed in the search results, you will also see that Helicopter Links is listed near the top every time.

helicopter manufacturers
helicopter engine manufacturers
helicopter airframe manufacturers
helicopter commercial operators
helicopter offshore operators
helicopter external load companies
helicopter utility operators
helicopter air charter companies
helicopter logging companies
helicopter agricultural companies
helicopter fire fighting companies
helicopter tour companies
helicopter filming companies
helicopter service centers
helicopter repair stations
helicopter engine repair
helicopter airframe repair
helicopter electrical components
helicopter components and spare parts
helicopter avionics
helicopter windows
helicopter completions
helicopter painting
helicopter stc
helicopter safety clothing
helicopter ground handling equipment
helicopter trade shows
helicopter museums
helicopter magazines
helicopter associations

When typing in specific search words (or search phrases), if your company is not listed on Google's first page of search results, what really are the options? One option is to hire a search engine optimization firm to increase your website's relevance on Google, one could hire a staff of web designers and writers to improve your website's search engine ranking and there are Google Ads which can redirect people to your website. However, how many people are willing to click on Google's paid advertising links? I would think a very low percentage. 

Helicopter Links is another option because it is a worldwide helicopter industry online directory and is free to use by anyone and is search engine optimized. Then the question is, are people willing to click on banner ads on Helicopter Links website? The answer is yes. For example, on Helicopter Links homepage (www.helicopterlinks.com) during 2012, one advertiser's banner ad received 45% of the clicks when compared to their text ad (located alphabetically within a white border) which received 55% of the clicks. 

Helicopter Links offers one free listing to any helicopter related business and also a variety of categories where any helicopter related businesses can advertise at very affordable pricing. Please contact us and to discuss your company's advertising needs and see how we can help drive more traffic to your website.

Please call Mike Hampson, Owner/Principal at +1 (858) 413-7074 or email staff@helicopterlinks.com.

The Case of the Skeptical Editor

I recently had a telephone conversation with an aviation news editor. He never heard of HelicopterLinks.com but he liked the idea and he gave me some time over the phone.

I explained that Helicopter Links has been online for 10 years as a hobby site and is an online international directory of helicopter information. In 2011, Helicopter Links expanded to 70 categories, increased to include over 2,800 company links, added outbound tracking and became a small business in September.

I continued by sharing that outbound tracking reveals that Helicopter Links sent an estimated 29,000 referrals to all rotorcraft manufacturers (including gyrocopters) around the world. This is no small feat

We then exchanged several emails. In one of my emails, I suggested if helicopter manufacturers would advertise throughout more categories on Helicopter Links, they'd receive even more web traffic. Don't helicopter manufacturers want more web traffic?

In his next email, the Skeptical Editor responded to me by saying this: "Yes, of course helicopter companies want increased traffic from their customers. But do they know that they are getting views from potential customers or are they just curious people who never will spend money in the helicopter industry? That's certainly a challenge."

My response to his question was to ask what site would have more qualified buyers for the helicopter industry than a helicopter directory site? Although every web site has a certain amount of traffic that arrives by accident or has lookie-loos, Helicopter Links is a reference site for anyone seeking goods, services and information in the helicopter industry.

If I took the Skeptical Editor's statement seriously, it would be similar to someone trying to make the case that all helicopter manufacturer's web sites have no value because what buyer goes online to purchase a turbine OEM helicopter with a 10%-off coupon and a credit card?

Helicopter Links' job is not to make the sale but to publish helicopter manufacturers, companies, suppliers and services. Advertising on Helicopter Links is not only part of a successful marketing mix, branding campaign and sales program but it also is a part of search engine optimization. It's a link (or links) from a helicopter-related web site to a helicopter business-related site.

How many new people enter the helicopter industry every year? An easy-to-use helicopter reference site is a big help in this situation. How many people are dissatisfied with online searches? For many, Helicopter Links is a useful time-saving business tool.

Ads do many things. Ads say, "Hey, look at me!" Ads spark interest. Ads help buyers find their trusted brands or highlight products with a future need for the buyer. Helicopter Links is sort of a helicopter dating service, if you will.

For more information, please contact Michael Hampson, Owner, Helicopter Links at +1 (858) 413-7074 or staff@helicopterlinks.com or see: www.helicopterlinks.com/advertise.

                                                     ###

About Helicopter Links
Based in San Diego, California, USA, Helicopter Links is an online worldwide directory of helicopter manufacturers, commercial operators, suppliers, services, trade shows, air shows, magazines, organizations and museums providing over 2,800 helicopter related companies in 70 categories, listed by category and then by continent. Helicopter Links does not require a membership or login to use or to purchase advertising.

Helicopter Links Free Listing Offer
Helicopter Links continues to offer our one-free-listing in one category for any helicopter related business, company or organization. All helicopter trade shows, helicopter air shows and all helicopter conferences are the only organizations which receive multiple free listings on Helicopter Links. Give us a call or send us an email and let's get your company or organization listed!

Home page: www.helicopterlinks.com
Site Map: www.helicopterlinks.com/sitemap
Advertising Information: www.helicopterlinks.com/advertise

Hi. I wanted to update everyone. Helicopter Links, an online worldwide directory of helicopter information, has been online for 10 years. In 2011, Helicopter Links expanded to 70 categories, now has 2,800 links, added outbound tracking and became a small business in September 2011.

In 2011 alone, Helicopter Links sent an estimated 29,000 referrals to all rotorcraft manufacturers (including gyrocopters) around the world.

To kick-off 2012, we are offering a "Buy One Year, Get Second Year Free" advertising promotion. With this offer, we will provide two 12 month tracking reports and a third 2 year trend analysis report. Offer ends February 29, 2012.

If this sounds like something your company might be interested in discussing, please let me know.

Mike Hampson/Owner
Helicopter Links
1286 University Ave, #209
San Diego, California, 92103 USA

+1 (858) 413-7074
staff@helicopterlinks.com
www.helicopterlinks.com

Thank You To All Our Facebook Fans and Users of Helicopter Links

Did I thank everyone for being a Facebook Fan? Did I think all of you who use Helicopter Links? Thank you, I really appreciate it. Did I mention that even though Helicopter Links has been a hobby site for over ten years, we became a small business in September 2011?

For years, Helicopter Links used to be (about) a 10 page web site with several hundred links but in 2011, I greatly expanded our helicopter site to 70 helicopter categories with over 2,800 links. The plan is to move forward and continue to represent the entire international helicopter community on our free-to-use, easy-to-use, no-login-required web site.

We have a one-free-listing policy for any helicopter related business. We also accept paid advertising as well, for banner ads and for multiple listings.

If you have a suggestion for a helicopter company as a free listing or you would like to explore your advertising options:

Please call +1 (858) 413-7074

or email me: staff@helicopterlinks.com

Thanks,

Mike Hampson/Owner
Helicopter Links
San Diego, California, USA
To visit Helicopter Links: www.helicopterlinks.com

Updates to Site Map and to the Site Itself

In the last several days, I added several new search terms for the Site Map. In addition, I made some internal coding changes to improve the aesthetics of the Site Map. These important changes are beneficial to anyone searching for the company they need.

There will be several new sections added to the site in the next several months. The new sections will be Helicopter Rescue Training, Helicopter Ditch/Escape Training, Pilot Supplies and EMS Operators.

New Press/News Release for Helicopter Links

We just issued a new press release www.helicopterlinks.com/media offering "free multiple listings" for any helicopter trade show, helicopter air show or helicopter conference on Helicopter Links, for 2012. This news release also details some of Helicopter Links incoming and outbound web statistics and other information about Helicopter Links.

Our Helicopter Trade Show / Air Show / Conference page can be found here: www.helicopterlinks.com/shows

Helicopter Links main web site: www.helicopterlinks.com