Brand New [WEDNESDAY]

Vanronto?

Wednesday, July 5, 2006

Is Vancouver becoming more like Toronto. . .

The latest big marketing splash looms over the corner of Robson and Granville. You have to look up, waaaaay up, and watch where you’re going, because you will be distracted.

Bonnis Media Group has brought one of their huge full-motion LED video boards to our city. Billboard ads are no longer static, people. This is TV outdoors on a stadium-style screen!

While this stuff may be all over Toronto, it’s new to us. And this new media venue is a whole different marketing ball game. Now, high-paying advertisers really can find us everywhere. But hold on a minute, there is a silver lining. According to Sue Harvey at the City of Vancouver Office of Cultural Affairs, a portion of the air-time is FREE to artists, community groups and non-profits in the form of Public Service Announcements. Same goes for hosting art installations, and once a month, they plan to broadcast info on festivals and events happening around town. Now that sounds more Vancouver to us.

So next time you’re in the heart of downtown, look up! We think it looks more New York City’s Times Square than Toronto. You be the judge. Just make sure you watch where you’re going. . .