How to Miss Out on Advertising Opportunities

The MTA, New York’s transportation authority, is facing another shortfall in its budget. For the second time in a year fares will be raised.

I find it hard to believe that the largest subway system in the world with some of the best real estate (yes, I know most of it is subterranean) has not taken the path many other transport systems in the world have taken – Advertise like there’s no tomorrow!

Yes, the subway cars and the stations do have advertising in the form of easily-vandalized posters and poorly-lit and maintained ad displays. However, is this all we can manage in a city saturated with the biggest, best, most famous and fabulous symbols of the 20th Century?

While living in Japan (for 3 long years) I became accustomed to everything imaginable being plastered with advertising, most noticeably the subway/train networks. At first it seemed a bit invasive holding onto strap handles with autumn leaves tickling my hand (campaign for a popular bottled tea brand) and ads on digital panels flickering to catch my attention.


But when I moved to New York I quickly learned these so-called saturation methods of advertising benefited everyone. The straphangers, subway company, local government, advertising firm, and of course the company/brand being advertised all got their own kind of win fall. Was it really a sacrifice to have this kind of advertising in my face when I had a stable fare, clean seats and not to mention some innovative advertising to look at? Simply put, no.


All photos are courtesy of Adzilla.blogspot.com