Ad this!
The first of many posts.
Coming soon to a subway tunnel near you: advertisements!
That's right, even in the deep bowels of the TTC subway system, companies have now devised a way to market their products to you as you glaze over your commuting ride to and from work. Awarded to Viacom Outdoor Canada, this multi-million dollar project is premised on the old idea of drawing static images and then flipping them to show motion. There will be static images all along the tunnels so while the subway goes by, the images will produce a full-motion ad. Another project will include installing flat screen monitors in subway cars to show ads and silent news, ala ones found on elevators in downtown Toronto.
Don't get me wrong. I understand the need to make up for revenue shortfall due to lack of government funding and it's better than hammering commuters with another fare hike. But is there no public space left where I won't be inundated with commercials or ads? Granted, I'd usually ignore the tunnels anyways, but it seems this is another step towards covering any blank space with ads. Next thing you know, there'll be permanent ads along the CN Tower for Viagra, or the Futurama scenario, where they beam ads directly into your dreams!
Meanwhile, Kingston's trying to uphold a ban on postering on telephone poles and such on University Ave. because it "detracts" from the aesthetics of the city," preventing local clubs and bands from advertising to the university audience the cheapest way they can. Instead, they've now forced these groups to change the way they budget for advertising and possibly contracting the audience they could've attracted otherwise.
As I write this, I've realized the disconnect between allowing small groups on campus to advertise on public space while railing against commercial ads in the subway tunnels. Is it my belief that cultural and local bands would enhance the culture of the city that makes it ok to put up ads in public space while viacom's just another company trying to market a product? Are all ads equal, or some more equal than others?
1 comment:
I think flip-book style adds in the subways would be cool. It would be so much more entertaining than the blank walls, and it would finally give those windows a purpose.
As for your opposition to adds in subways and your support for free advertising on Kingtson streets, you're right, it doesn't logically follow.
I understand the problem. In once sense its often the only way small bands and community groups etc. can advertise. On the other hand, its ugly, and wasteful, and the adds often become litter.
The question is, do you support the free advertising just for groups who can't afford it? And at what point do you draw the line of who is justified in tacking a poster to a pole and who is not? If Coke covered University Street with cheap 8-1/2 x 11 posters would you be just as supportive?
I say, there are designated spaces for advertising. Most you have to pay for, some, like community bulliten boards, are free. But if its not a designated space, I don't want to see an ad there.
Also, since you're so eager to correct the spelling on my own posts check the first sentence of your last paragraph in this post: "As I right this..."
Do you mean you are correcting a situation of some kind? Or did you mean "as I *write* this." Hmmm. At least I only mix up letter, not whole words. A cliche about people and glass houses is coming to mind.
Post a Comment