In 1993, a french company, called Mobil Affiche, developed one of the first mobile scrolling advertising systems, and began deploying the early dedicated advertising vehicles in Europe. Their trucks featured a unique 7-poster system with 5’ x 8’ displays on three sides. Two years later, the trivision advertising truck was invented by Delroy Cowan. Cowan’s 1995 invention combined an Isuzu NPR truck with a custom truck bed and three trivision signs that he purchased from a European manufacturer. His two trucks were the first multi-image dedicated advertising vehicles in the USA. Years later, similar, but refined DAV concepts appeared from companies calling themselves Brands In Motion, Billboards in Action, and Admobile.

The DAV concepts from each of these mobile ad pioneers were different, but they all championed what has become the shared-use model of mobile advertising. Read More...

The first time you saw a multi-image DAV on the road, you may have been fascinated with the light-up, changing ads. The impression is so effective, that many motorists can recall the names of specific advertisers long after the DAV campaign ends. But for some, seeing a DAV represents the spark of a new business venture. You’re probably reading this blog because you’ve experienced that spark.

Building a Rolodex full of satisfied advertising clients is challenging under the best of conditions. But this post is not about building a thick portfolio of customers quickly. It’s about launching a profitable mobile advertising business with just one great client relationship. World domination comes later. Read More...

It’s easy to get excited about the value proposition that comes with owning a mobile advertising vehicle. Playing with a calculator can generate some eye-popping numbers. Read More...

As of this writing, gas is approaching $5 per gallon in some locations. AAA reports that the rising price of fuel has finally started changing driving behavior, as American consumers are driving less for the first time in decades. But if your business depends on a single vehicle or a fleet of vehicles, the recent run up in the price of gas can be crushing.

The Wall Street Journal reported (paid subscription required) on July 14, 2008 that certain full size pickup trucks Read More...

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Many people experience the impact of mobile advertising for the first time at sporting events, conventions, or trade shows. Unlike some of the other dedicated advertising vehicle business models, using DAVs for short term events is a proven model with hundreds of available case studies that prove its effectiveness and value to clients.

While advertising agencies can be reluctant to include mobile advertising in their long term media plans for their best clients, they they are often comfortable recommending mobile media for a variety of short term event-base scenarios. If you’re considering purchasing one or more DAVs or MUVs (dual purpose marketing/utility vehicles) you should be prepared when prospective clients ask for information about using the trucks for event marketing. Read More...

Today, we turn our attention away from multi-purpose MUVs to focus on dedicated advertising vehicles (DAVs). This is the first in a series of posts about the many different business models one can use in a mobile advertising business. This series focuses exclusively on multi-image dedicated advertising vehicles, excluding the older 2 sided, flat "mobile billboard" trucks. The type of multi-image technology used — scrolling, trivision, video, trained monkeys holding up a series of posters —doesn’t matter. What does matter is that the DAV has the capability to show a series of different advertisements on two or more sides of the vehicle. Read More...