What are the hours that Black Box Outdoor Mobile Media operates? 

Black Box vehicles travel their routes from approximately 7am-7pm, Tuesday through Friday, and 10 to 6 on Saturday.   Advertisers receive a minimum of 10 hours of exposure Tuesday through Friday, and 7&1/2 hours on Saturday, allowing for shift changes, driver breaks, vehicle maintenance, etc. Sunday and Monday service is also available. In the summer months, the hours are adjusted slightly on some routes to have a presence at certain evening events like Jazz in the Park, lakefront festivals, etc.

What is it about this type of advertising that’s so eye-catching?

It's the tri-vision technology.   The motion action of the rotating sign triggers something in your brain called the reticular activator.   It is constantly on the lookout for anything that is different, unusual or familiar, and the rotating movement of the signs on the Black Box engages the reticular activator, grabbing the person's attention.   Even static tri-vision signs create a tremendous amount of visibility, but now put one on a moving vehicle, and THAT's going to grab people's attention!

Why do the panels flip every eight seconds? 

Studies have shown eight seconds to be the ideal time.   It's short enough that people want to watch and see what the next message is, and long enough to leave an impression with the consumer and allow him/her to absorb the message.

Will your vehicles run customer-designed routes?

Yes and no. Tuesday through Friday, on Black Box Mobile Media's existing zones, no. These vehicles run a specific, fixed route that was designed to generate maximum exposure for our advertisers, based on DOT traffic counts, areas of interest, changing traffic patterns, etc.   By driving the same route, we deliver a consistent target audience and generate a tremendous amount of repetition (the secret to effective advertising) at the same time. On Saturdays, when the mix of activities and movement patterns changes, you can have input on where you want to be seen.

HOWEVER, if you want total control over the areas you'd like Black Box to cover (and that includes anywhere in the Milwaukee metropolitan area and some parts beyond), then yes, you can custom design your very own route(s) with a Full Wrap Vehicle. Not only can you dictate to us where you want "your" vehicle to travel, but you'll have 12 advertising panels (3 fronts, 6 sides and 3 backs) that are all yours to say whatever you want.   In addition, the entire vehicle can be wrapped in whatever graphics you choose, making a spectacular impression at street-level.  

What exactly is the difference between a route and a zone?

A route (which takes 1 hour on average to complete) is the exact street-by-street path that the vehicle follows from the beginning of the route to the end of the route. A zone is the entire area that the vehicle impacts. Studies show that most people drive primarily within a small radius of their homes. Because of that, an advertiser's message will be seen by people that live throughout a several mile-wide area. This area is what we call a zone.

Can I advertise in just one zone?

Absolutely. We currently operate in 4 different zones in the Milwaukee Market, and depending upon who your target audience is, you can choose to advertise in any one of those zones, or all 4 if you want full market coverage. The choice is yours.

What agreement lengths are available with Black Box Mobile Media? 

Most agreements are 26 or 52 weeks and include production. Also available are 6 week and 13 week programs for special events. These short-term programs require a minimal production charge.

The Black Box has been on the streets of Milwaukee for 4 years. Why hasn't my Ad Agency ever recommended that I advertise on the Black Box? 

Great question. We wish we knew the answer. For whatever reason, the agency community in Milwaukee has been extremely slow to figure out that we are out there, despite the many satisfied advertisers we have worked with over the years. Maybe they think we don't charge enough for them to make the commissions they are used to. We would be happy to work with you through your agency, or without them if they can't quite figure it out.

How are your drivers trained to drive so that advertiser’s messages will be seen?  

First and foremost, drivers are taught to drive safe and drive courteously.   Driving the Black Box is very different from when you get in your car to go somewhere. The main difference is, the Black Box driver doesn't have to be anywhere by a certain time. When he sees a yellow light, he prepares to stop instead of speeding up. He lets cars get into his lane in front of him, instead of speeding up to block them out. In a way, the Black Box drivers conduct themselves with a level of street courtesy that is for the most part a thing of the past. By taking this approach when in traffic, the Black Box actually becomes more visible, as do the advertisements it carries.

What procedure do you use in hiring your drivers? 

We've almost forgotten, as we haven't made a new driver hire in almost two years. You see, once someone becomes a driver for Black Box, they never leave. All of our drivers are professional, courteous, and understand that their mission is to be safe, and be seen. They are also some of the nicest guys you've ever met.

How can I be sure that the other advertiser's ads will be in good taste? 

We are extremely careful about the types of clients that we will allow to advertise.   Our guidelines surrounding acceptable messages are very strict in order to ensure they meet community standards.