National brands get exposure on SSA boats, in terminals BY MARY LANCASTER INDEPENDENT WRITER
While
the situation may change, for now the only advertising on Steamship
Authority vessels and in terminals will be in the form of posters,
primarily promoting national brands.
Presently, the televisions on the new fast ferry Iyanough run
regional or local station programming when the boat is close to port.
Its antennae is being upgraded so a signal is available en route during
the entire trip between Hyannis and Nantucket. Except for ads that may
appear on those stations, there is no current provision for TV monitor
advertising for local businesses. Instead, the SSA is in the process of
placing posters on its Nantucket and Vineyard vessels and in terminals
that promote national brands such as BMW, Land Rover and The Wall Street Journal. SSA
General Manager Wayne Lamson said the boatline was approached last fall
by New York City-based Prestige Media regarding the poster concept as a
means to generate revenue other than from ticket sales.
The SSA board approved a contract, and as of this month a limited
number of posters will be going up. Only two posters are scheduled for
the Iyanough. Lamson
said local businesses are not prohibited from buying poster space, but
would need to work through the New York company on particulars and
pricing.
"We may look into [local ads on the TVs] in the future," he said.
The SSA contract with Prestige Media boosts the ad firm's number of
ferry clients including the Hy-Line, which already has posters on its
vessels,
said Lamson. I
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