Billboards Should Be Outlawed

stever

If the farmer wants to put a billboard on his property fine, just put if back far enough on his property to where no one can see it.

A lot of zoning regs are written that way for ball fields or bus stops. Any permitted ads have to face inward so the general public isn't bombarded by them in passing.

However, a lot of zoning regs wouldn't permit non-farm uses (billboards) on rural zoned acreage in the first place. That's a good thing. Martha Stewart^TM

oldfarmer50

"...just because you enjoy looking at Burma Shave signs?..."

Boy what an old stick in the mud you are. Who couldn't love Burma Shave signs?

My favorite: Don't stick your arm

Out the window too far

It might go home

In another car.

Burma Shave

As for the rest of the billboards, do you really want me driving up and down your street looking for Joe's Porn Shop because they took the sign down?

oldfarmer50

"...Why don't the socialistic environmentalists complain about those BB?..."

Because they prevent the ball from rolling under the fence. They may be commies but stupid they ain't. :blush:

andys120

Here's more great old Burma Shave signs. :shades:

fezo

We used to have a set of Burma Shave signs on route 9 ( the same "sprung from cages on Highway 9" of Springsteen fame but about 30 miles south) here:

A thing that will never

Come to Pass

Is a back seat driver

Out of gas

Burma Shave.

I was born too late. Writing Burma Shave signs would have been right up my alley.

The good thing about those were that they were small and unobtrusive - quite the opposite of today's billboards that are oversized LED TVs.

stever

So ... you're saying that if the Burma Shave signs had been big and obtrusive, the company would still be in business (not counting the outfit that bought the brand from Phillip Morris a while back)?

No charge for the ellipses, btw. :P

fezo

I can't imagine anyone survives in today's environment as a stand alone shaving cream company, though the Burma Shave people long outlasted the signs. Ironically the reason for the end of the signs was given as safety concerns - the old driver distraction again.

euphonium

The same person who is strongly against billboards is the one and the same guy who litters his property with political candidate signs. Why do you plant the yard signs on your property and begrudge the property owner who does the same with billboards? :P

fintail

A 1'x1' sign vs a 10'x15' sign?

Being a property owner is of questionable relevance, the inheritance elite get away with too much as it is...so many small town slumlord land barons in their imagined little fiefdoms who answer to nobody.

stever

Just curious, but are you referring to a particular poster? I must have missed the reference.

That does remind me of a group around the country that's rather like a club - they go around and remove illegal signs off the right of way. All those Herbalife type signs you see plastered on metal stakes or stapled to telephone poles. The web link escapes me at the moment.

Some groups are sanctioned, but the one I read about was informal.

[edit] Found it - they call themselves sign sharks.

Citizens Against Ugly Street Spam

euphonium

Proportionally fintail. Little signs for little yards and larger signs for acreage and pastures. Billboards promote business. That they are objectionable is purely subjective especially to those whose income is not based on sales, but usually on some sort of government employment.

fintail

I wonder if there is any actual correlation between business benefit and billboards, or if it is just an imagined factor. It's kind of a lame advertising ploy with all things considered...but then again, this is a lowest common denominator society.

I think those who object to billboard proliferation are more afraid of bush league plutocrats making a mess and not cleaning it up.

euphonium

It is not an imagined factor. See below.

There are a number of reasons for the recent surge in billboard advertising, not the least of which is cost efficiency. Compared to other forms of advertising, billboards are a relatively inexpensive way to get your point across to the general public.

Consider this: A newspaper ad is only good for a day and a television commercial only lasts about thirty seconds. But a billboard ad is working for you twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

The cost of billboard advertising ranges from about $700 to $2,500 a month. At that rate, ten billboards could run as much as $25,000 per month. That sounds like a lot of money, until you realize that a full-page ad running for one day in a major newspaper costs about the same.

Advances in technology have also contributed to billboard advertising’s cost efficiency. In the past, billboards had to be hand-painted – a time-consuming and costly venture. But with today’s computer technology, billboards are designed on a computer screen, printed to vinyl or poster paper, and glued to the billboard structure. The result: Higher quality ads in less time for less money.

Before you jump into billboard advertising for your business, there are a few things you need to understand.

The amount of information contained in a billboard ad is limited. If you expect your billboard to convey as much information as a print ad – forget it. It’s just not possible. Keep your ads short and catchy. When it comes to billboards think more visuals, fewer words.
Billboards are effective, but they do have their limitations. For that reason, (and others), smart business owners view billboard advertising as one part of a balanced marketing strategy. An integrated marketing strategy involving print, broadcast media, and billboards is key for attracting and retaining new customers.
Know your market. Since the majority of people who own automobiles are typically more affluent and mobile, billboard ads tend to target middle- to upper-income demographics. It also pays to be aware of the traffic patterns of your target customer base. This will be invaluable in helping you find the right placement for your business’ billboard ads.

fintail

Nice, but I was getting at a study, something with actual data, rather than an ad from a company that makes those roll-on billboard coverings :P

euphonium

You can research by going to www.oaaa.org & clicking on Case Studies. The one relevent to you would be the study of McDonalds Spicy Chicken sandwich introduced in the NW. Scroll down to Restaurants & there will be your answer.

euphonium

Perhaps the following site address would be preferred:

www.oaaa.org/outdoor/research/audience.asp

Then scroll down to Restaurants, McDonalds, & Spicy Chicken sandwich.

stever

That's the stunt where a billboard was hosed down by an off-duty fireman. McD's spent a lot of money for minimal exposure, while wasting water. Got a lot of props at the Consumerist. :-)

So what worked, the billboard or the stunt? Something tells me it was the stunt that got the buzz, not the boring billboard.

fintail

Yes indeed.

I'd be curious about multiple data points over a period of time, along with businesses who don't or can't use billboards those who can and do in areas with identical demographics, information of this type. This is the way to draw a conclusion.

I do have a degree in marketing, so one link of a publicity stunt as you mention doesn't fool me.

euphonium

Hopefully your education included a course in Advertising. Mine did. We both learned that Billboard advertising is beneficial to the advertiser, BUT we also learned the effect is often difficult to measure exactly how beneficial.

jipster

The cost of billboard advertising ranges from about $700 to $2,500 a month. At that rate, ten billboards could run as much as $25,000 per month. That sounds like a lot of money, until you realize that a full-page ad running for one day in a major newspaper costs about the same.

This supports what I wrote earlier. The U.S taxpayer is (has) paying for building trillions upon trillions of dollars worth of interstate and highways. Then Joe Billboard owner and land baron step in to milk the profit that should be going back to the state or federal government, since they are the ones who invested all the money. It sure is a good move that benefits the billboard company and land owner though. And a bonehead move by states not to outlaw these signs (blight/clutter/menace to society... take your pick) and pick up the profit themselves by renting out the smaller directional signs.

Since you have not made any attempt to argue the cons of directional sign advertisements, I would gather you must agree there are none. :P

fintail

Yes, exactly. And I see no proof that billboards create a benefit to exceed the cost.

I am sure billboards had more of a value in a time before more efficient (electronic) venues existed. Today, I do not see the overall costs exceeding benefits, and I don't see any proof of otherwise.

I have never lived in an area with widespread billboards, and I have never seen widespread complaint among the business community.

euphonium

"Since you have not made any attempt to argue the cons of directional sign advertisements, I would gather you must agree there are none." Wrong!

The main problem with DSA's, they are almost invisible, too small, and prevent individuality & uniqueness in advertising. I've seen them at upscale ski resorts and because they are all the same size, (wood burning the verbiage into the shingle) it is impossible to discern where you want to shop.

The DSA's along side of the highway can have some individuality due to different color schemes, but they as well can go to H--l for they are too small for the too fast motorist zipping by.

Thus, due to their nature, the DSA, unlike the conventional Billboard do not contribute to "Repetitive" advertising goals.

As for paying for the road by the taxpaying driver, he didn't pay for the adjoining land adjacent to the right of way. So, his opinion doesn't get recognized.

jipster

The main problem with DSA's, they are almost invisible, too small, and prevent individuality & uniqueness in advertising

Oh come on... if they were too small or invisible McDonalds and Shell wouldn't be paying for them. I go faster than the average driver, and I see them perfectly fine. You certainly want them quick and to the point as to maintain traffic safty. i.e McDonalds 1 mile Exit 4... I mean what else is there to say?
Individuality and uniqueness is more for television advertisement or print. Too much individuality and uniqueness on billboards or DSA's would be a safty hazard.

I would have restrictions on DSA's as well. i.e Scenic attractions, food, gas, lodging... that's about it. If you want to find out where "Joe's Porn Shop" is, look in the yellow pages. :lemon:

euphonium

" If you want to find out where "Joe's Porn Shop" is, look in the yellow pages."

All things considered today, the Gov of New York would know better than the YP's.

oldfarmer50

"...If you want to find out where "Joe's Porn Shop" is, look in the yellow pages..."

I don't know, when that kind of hankering comes upon you, it might not be socially acceptable to stand up and start letting your fingers do the walking.

Besides, where is the last place besides your home, that you could even find a phone book?

davethecarnut

What if the gov./tax payer got a "piece" of the billboard as in a fee or tax? Would they still block your view?

fezo

They do get taxed - it's property and taxed as such.

euphonium

showing her singing so it'll be over. :P

jipster

What if the gov./tax payer got a "piece" of the billboard as in a fee or tax? Would they still block your view?

Yes they would! The Jipster is no sell out. :P

This is just common sense folks, you don't put 80' X 40' advertisments in the sky, it's just plain "ignert" and low class... IMO.

euphonium

and needing a new tire, I was pleased to see a large billboard advertising "Cal Tires" in Kamloops. They had one matching Michelin X1 at their first store I stopped.

Billboards are great for promoting business, but not for the promotion of many other programs that are non profit and socialistic.