First web-based electronic billboard launched in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - One of Cebu’s biggest advertising firm Alcordo Advertising in partnership with Greenworld LED Solutions Inc. recently launched Cebu’s first web-based electronic billboard located at the San Jose de la Montaña area in Juan Luna Avenue, which is being eyed as a start for a new trend in Cebu’s outdoor advertising industry.

The web-based billboard which stands at three by four meters or 200 inches diagonal has been test broadcasting free advertising since last January 16 until February 18.

In a press conference after the launching of the electronic billboard, Alcordo Advertising CEO and general manager Mary Anne Alcordo-Solomon said that the billboard offers potential advertisers 70 spots per day equivalent to about 2, 100 spots per month which is rated at P35, 000 a month or at P16. 66 per spot for the billboard’s main frame which measures 2.4 by four meters.

Meanwhile, ad crawlers which measures six by 3.2 meters are rated at P5, 000 per month which is composed of 2,100 spots a month equivalent to about P2.38 per spot.

Solomon said that the electronic billboard is in line with their advocacy of preserving the environment as it eliminates the use of materials such as plastics plus it also provides a new avenue for their clientele to promote their products and services which is essential in these times of economic crisis.

She said that their test broadcast received good reviews not only from their initial clients which included big companies such as Honda, Jollibee, PLDT, BPI, Filinvest, Island Souvenirs, Plantation Bay, Orange Brutus and the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry but to motorists passing by the billboard’s site as well.

“Motorists and passengers could not help but view the ads in the electronic billboard because it keeps them entertained while the traffic light stops,” said Solomon.

She discussed that the main reason they chose the area in San Jose de la Montaña is because of its high traffic with motorists and passers coming from Ayala vice versa to SM or the airport and plus the fact that it has a stop light.

“Advertisers should look at it as another avenue to market their products and considering the crisis which is all the more time for them to advertise. Clients who know the environmental friendliness of the electronic billboard will eventually adapt to this new form of advertising; we just have to take the first step,” said Solomon.

Meanwhile, Greenworld LED Solutions Inc. president Francis Dy said that aside from making profit, their main aim in undertaking this endeavor is to help address environmental issues caused by too much waste.

He said that LED technology is very apt to use in addressing this issues and after establishing this first electronic billboard, they are now eyeing to put up other infrastructure in other strategic areas in Cebu.

Greenworld LED Solutions Inc. managing director Felix Taguiam said that the electronic billboard is estimated to cost around P8.3 million from infrastructure to software and it might take them six months to put up another similar infrastructure because at the moment, they are still eyeing more locations taking into consideration that electronic billboards are now the call of the time.

“We can see a lot of electronic billboards in other countries abroad and this is the direction that the industry will have to take in the future so we have decided to start this trend. Hopefully we can mount more of this kind in the city because it’s also all about caring for the environment. Also in terms of potential, message conveyed in electronic billboards are more dynamic and interactive compared to static billboards so it’s more effective,” said Dy.