The Constant Creep of Advertising

By Eric Richardson
Published: Friday, May 16, 2008, at 03:17PM

Eric Richardson

Sidewalk advertising for FedexKinkos, on the median sidewalk at a Grand Avenue crossing.

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Advertising is in the news these days. Yesterday Steve Hymon reported in the Times on backlash against high tech ads in subway tunnels. Not too long before that the story was digital billboards along the 10 and illegal supergraphics on the westside.

Downtown, the advertising mode-de-jour seems to be of the sidewalk variety. For months now these little square ads have shown up stuck to Downtown sidewalks, often on the corner access ramp.

These sidewalk decals aren't a new concept. This NY Times Opinion piece from 2002 asks that "Out of respect for the urban environment and the law, companies should not try to turn the city's sidewalks into free, horizontal billboards to promote their products."

In a city with thousands of billboards lacking permits, it seems quite likely that there simply isn't the enforcement to provide any deterrent for advertisers.

Comments

David Kennedy writes:

Eric, I think "backlash" is not an accurate characterization of the L.A. Times article. Yes, some people objected to seeing the ads. (An actress of all people!) But, on the whole the response of riders seems quite muted.

Quite frankly, I've always been puzzled by the lack of advertising on MTA trains and buses. That this has been the case in the media capital of the world suggests a lack of sophistication on the part of the MTA. As a taxpayer, I think the MTA ought to maximize their advertising revenues. Basically, the MTA has been forgoing revenue for years. That they are finally becoming more savvy in this regard is a good thing.

# on May.16.2008 AT 06:32 PM

Eric Richardson writes:

Yeah, I can't imagine any significant percentage of the ridership caring. I rode the subway to North Hollywood yesterday and thought the ads were pretty cool. I had seen the ones in Chicago a while back and liked those as well. Just don't let Metro bring TransitTV to the subways.

# on May.16.2008 AT 06:57 PM

Scott Mercer writes:

Transit TV is sucky. I could live the rest of my life without seeing "The Clever Cleaver Brothers" again.

Having said that, I am willing to make the sacrifice for MORE SUBWAYS!!

# on May.16.2008 AT 07:28 PM

meekorouse writes:

I have nothing really against advertising but for the ones on the sidewalk. Who is responsible for cleaning those up or scraping those off the street?

I know a lonely stretch of Hope Street I believe that is still advertising a movie that is long, long gone. It's like they put them out there and forget it. They don't wash off.

# on May.17.2008 AT 05:48 AM

Eric Richardson writes:

I saw that one the other day, too. It's an ad for Beowulf, which opened in November.

# on May.17.2008 AT 11:21 AM

tornadoes28 writes:

I agree with David. Backlash is NOT an accurate description of the Times article. The Times article merely reported this new advertising technology and quoted people who BOTH did not like it and people who thought it was a good way to generate revenue.

# on May.19.2008 AT 03:30 PM

tornadoes28 writes:

It may be a matter of contacting a city agency or city representative for that area. If they don't have the permits and they are illegal, they should not be placed there. FedEx should be fined for that.

# on May.19.2008 AT 03:34 PM

Don Noyes-More writes:

THINGS TO COME IN DOWNTOWN?

I was in Chicago recently and saw ads in public bathrooms (not just in clubs like here), AND they were on the wall facing the urinals. One was interactive. The another weird ad(s)was on restaurant tables in the Gold Coast area (in a well known steakhouse). The last place was on the walls of a private school, Nike and Sony, Go figure!

Don Noyes-More, Editor in Chief, DTLAL Magazine

# on May.21.2008 AT 12:29 PM

The Constant Creep of Advertising

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