billboard advertising

[edprush]

I requested a quote from a billboard owner to advertise on their signs.

Here is what they sent to me:

$1,200 net per 4 weeks, per billboard plus paper production.
Paper production depends on the quantity ordered of a single design ? 1 paper - $125 net; 2 to 11 papers of the exact same design - $85 net each.

Anyone know why their quote was a "net" amount versus a "gross" amount? What the heck is paper production? I assume they are talking about the advertisement itself but I always thought it was a 3rd party that designed and produced the ad.

 

[edprush]

^

 

[olds]

Here is a really wild and crazy idea but then I always think outside the box.
Pick up a phone and call them and ask them.

 

[edprush]

As soon as they know they are dealing with a novice the prices will go up.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Like they're not going to find out anyways?

 

[gwrober]

Originally posted by: edprush
As soon as they know they are dealing with a novice the prices will go up.

Then call another vendor, and ask them, get your answers and go back to the vendor you called first.

 

[edprush]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
Like they're not going to find out anyways?

Not if I get the answers to my questions, from a third party, and do all correspondence via email.

 

[dullard]

I don't know for certain, because I've never ordered a billboard. But I would assume you could get a 3rd party to make the actual printed advertisement that goes on the billboard. And what is so hard about the pricing? If you want 10 billboards, they'll charge 10*$85 = $850 to print them. That would be a one time printing charge. And they'll charge 10*$1200 = $12,000 every 4 weeks.

That said, I personally wouldn't do that type of billboard right now. LED based billboards are spreading like wildfire right now. I never look at regular billboards, but I am mesmerized by these LED billboards. I can't take my eyes off of them. Plus, they are easy to see from far away even at night. As long as the LED boards are "new-fangled contraptions", they will be the ONLY ones getting attention. I'd personally pay a premium for that and skip regular billboards. In a couple of years, they'll be nothing special and I'll change what I just said.

Of course, this is just one consumer's opinon, I don't have any scientific proof that you'll get more sales with an LED billboard.

 

[edprush]

So you think that a full-color billboard face (20' x 33') would only cost $125? The paper stock would cost more than that.

There are hidden charges that they aren't telling me about but they are expecting me to know. How much to have the paper applied to the sign face?

What about insurance if the sign face gets ripped off by the wind?

 

[rivan]

Originally posted by: edprush
I requested a quote from a billboard owner to advertise on their signs.

Here is what they sent to me:

$1,200 net per 4 weeks, per billboard plus paper production.
Paper production depends on the quantity ordered of a single design ? 1 paper - $125 net; 2 to 11 papers of the exact same design - $85 net each.

Anyone know why their quote was a "net" amount versus a "gross" amount? What the heck is paper production? I assume they are talking about the advertisement itself but I always thought it was a 3rd party that designed and produced the ad.

While I can't comment on the pricing structure, I'm rather surprised you don't have a straightforward quote in front of you, with everything spelled out.

I can comment on the last bit, however - generally larger billboard companies will have in-house printing equipment and staff available should you want them to put the artwork together - not everyone who wants an ad on a billboard has artists lined up. They should also have a spec sheet available for you to give an agency or artist of your choice.

 

[rivan]

Originally posted by: edprush
So you think that a full-color billboard face (20' x 33') would only cost $125? The paper stock would cost more than that.

You're correct, it would. Quite a lot more.

Edit: For clarification, my direct experience with this type of print is in vehicle wraps - full color graphics on buses, cars, trailers, etc. I've also prepared a lot of art for billboard printing but haven't been involved directly with the printing or hanging of the billboard itself.

There are hidden charges that they aren't telling me about but they are expecting me to know. How much to have the paper applied to the sign face?

If you're that suspicious of them, don't do business with them. Or, issue a P.O. for the amount you believe the total to be. If they exceed that amount, you're not obligated to pay. Keep fastidious records of all correspondence.

What about insurance if the sign face gets ripped off by the wind?

They'll *probably* have a set timeframe during which they'll guarantee the performance of the billboard.

 

[edprush]

I would like to choose another company but Clear Channel owns all the billboards in the area I would like to advertise.

 

[rivan]

Originally posted by: edprush
I would like to choose another company but Clear Channel owns all the billboards in the area I would like to advertise.

Clear Channel's got their act together, and they shouldn't change their rates when you ask for clarification.

I don't have the highest opinion of them, but I can't see them arbitrarily changing their rates.

 

[edprush]

I also think they're trying to run a scam on me since they claim they don't have an actual rate card available. Sounds like her quotes are adjusted as they feel.

 

[Chryso]

Maybe by the time you get out of the paranoia ward they will have some cards printed up.

 

[nonameo]

edit: I had a misunderstanding. 1.2k isn't too bad I guess. Still sounds kinda high.

 

[edprush]

$1200 sounds very low to me that's why I think there are hidden charges. A full page newspaper ad (black and white) in the same market is $7k/day.

$1200 for a month sounds very low.