TTC’s advertising contract, currently held by CBS, is up for renewal (PDF). What’s in it?
This is how the TTC gets privatized
Explicitly not covered by this contract are a list of “New Advertising Technologies and Programs” for which the winning bidder may separately apply. The full list, which the contract suggests is not exhaustive:
- 3D LCD screens
- Digital kings (not defined)
- Information kiosks
- Subway-line naming rights
- Subway-station naming rights
- Subway-car video screens
- “[S]ubway stations modernization/improvement projects funded by advertising revenue”
Whole-vehicle ads
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“Whole-vehicle or vehicle-mural advertising” can include up to 20 vehicles at a time (of which all can be streetcars), though 30 more buses and/or streetcars can be in process. If they cover only one side, it’s the driver’s. Only the TTC chooses the actual vehicles.
An ambiguous paragraph appears to give the winning bidder the right to request more vehicles for this kind of full-vehicle advertising.
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If your decals cause damage to vehicle paint, TTC may bill you at least $25,000 to fix it.
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Vehicles covered in ads operate from dawn to dusk only.
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Up to 24 subway cars can be wrapped (sides and top, but not the windows).
Where else can they advertise?
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On ceiling decals in the insides of buses.
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In station-domination campaigns at Union, Eglinton, St. George, and Finch
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On “subway-station stair risers, metal, columns, walls, turnstiles, and the bottom[s] of Collector Booth’s [sic] in stations that are not part of the ‘Station Domination’ program.”
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They can cover an unlimited number of “bus backs.”
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Ads can encroach onto windows on any number of vehicles.
Yes, there are billboards
Outdoor ads, “in the form of advertising signs, billboards[,] and displays at TTC properties such as commuter lots, garages, carhouses, and yards,” are part of the contract.
This is where your information screens are coming from
The Company will be required…[,] during the term of the Agreement, to install digital units for the purpose of providing customer[-]service information messaging on Commission property. The Company will be allowed to advertise on these units through either various advertisements or the placement of a logo as directed by the Commission.
OneStop’s contract probably won’t be renewed
This Agreement does not include the right to advertise on the Platform Video Screens, Next[-]Vehicle[-]Arrival Screens[,] and Customer[-]Service Information Screens [that are] covered by a separate Contract with OneStop Media Group [that] is due to expire on June 30, 2020. When this Contract expires on June 30,2020, the programming, maintenance[,] and replacement of these screens will be included into this Agreement, subject to terms satisfactory to the TTC.
Yes, they can hand you a stick of Right Guard
When a Station is Dominated by “Station Domination” advertising, “[s]ampling products and event programs” (sic) are permitted. But they can also do that anywhere there’s vinyl advertising.
Where they can’t advertise
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On the PA system, via stop announcements, or on “fare media of any type or description.” The Avon and Runnymede loops and the Russell Carhouse. Timetables, maps, “servicechange bulletins, etc.” (sic).
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In any subway station or any other “transit facilities” opened after the end of 2011, which is interesting, to say the least.
What about the video billboard at Bloor station?
Not mentioned.