Visual pollution is the way some US states and other parts of the world are describing the finished product of one of our main wide format printing sectors.
The city of Chennai in India was reported to be the latest place to ban outdoor advertising whilst acknowledging the important role the industry has for it's own tax income and employment.
The whole State of Maine in the USA banned billboard advertising in 2007, Sao Paulo also instituted a ban on all outdoor advertising slightly earlier.
Los Angeles banned billboards in 2002 and have successfully defended it's decision earlier this year.
Auckland City Council in New Zealand tried to pass legislation to clear the city of the offending pollution and we know also that parts of South Africa have also attempted to introduce bans as well.
Once digital billboards become the norm, it could be expected that councils may well take a more stringent view of the media. If they find static advertising offensive, animated or video advertising would be even more unacceptable, especially in the light of a traffic distraction.
Whether the bans are right or wrong, if they are successful the consequences for our industry would be enormous, especially with the type of investment that is required to put the super wide format machines in. Unemployment is obviously another major consideration.
There is absolutely no indication at this point that Australian councils, state governments and the federal government are considering such bans. Enquiries can always be made to the Outdoor Media Association.
Outdoor Media Association
http://www.oma.org.au/
