The Use of Mobile Billboards in Advertising

Everyone has seen plenty of billboards in their travels, unless their country outlaws them. In fact, the number of billboards along our US highways is, to some, an eyesore. In some areas this is probably true. Yet, often, the billboards provide valuable information for travelers.

Though effective, two problems stand out with billboard advertising. First, the ad must wait for the motorist to come to it. It is stuck on the side of the road but if no one drives that way, it is a waste of money. Second, standard billboards can’t do anything to attract attention. They are totally stationary and, with the competition of other billboards, might well be ignored.

To retain the advantage of a billboard yet overcome these two obstacles, someone came up with the concept of a portable billboard. It has the size and colors found in a stationary billboard, but it actually moves to populous areas. This uniqueness almost demands it be read. All display a message on the side of a truck (referred to as truckside advertising) or trailer and then are driven into the target area to be read.

The simplest and least expensive portable billboard is to rent the sides and back of a truck that will use these portable surfaces to display your ad. It is even possible to share the truck with other companies, posting a different message on the left and right sides and on the back for the agreed upon length of time. The truck carries your ad wherever it goes. If it is attention grabbing, people waiting in traffic or seeing it in a parking area will naturally read it.

For more money, you can rent a moving ad. One version of this is designed on the same principle as the vertical three sided changing billboards. The ad is attached to these vertical sticks and, as they rotate, an entirely different picture or message will appear, almost instantly. They are excellent for attracting attention. Trucks or trailers equipped with smaller versions of this display will travel through traffic, the message on the sides and back changing every ten or fifteen seconds. Of course, three messages at a time can be displayed this way on each of the three surfaces of the vehicle.

A second method of changing the message on the truck or trailer is through roller banners. A timer activates a motor and, almost instantly, the roller moves the material vertically, displaying another message. This is similar to what is seen at the stats tables of a basketball game. A firm selling such 10′ by 10′ trailers claims ten messages can be stored on one roll, and, of course, a different roll can be on the back and other side. The message boards are covered with tempered glass for protection. Some also contain internal lighting, allowing for nighttime effectiveness.

The most expensive method of portable billboard message changing is through electronics. The side of the truck or trailer is fitted with a myriad of lights that can be programmed to display multi-colored messages. No printed message is ever made; the design and display are done by the computer.

As was stated earlier, each of these techniques has the great advantage of moving the billboard message to the people. It is a great way to inform a larger audience and to advertise goods or services not related to highway travelers.

For leading mobile billboard advertising services, check out AirSign Aerial Advertising. They have proven since 1996 that customer satisfaction and maximizing client’s advertising budgets are their top priority.