“Blocked” Billboard Ruled Not a “Taking” by Wisconsin Supreme Court

(Ed. note: The following  excerpts are taken verbatim from the Wisconsin Bar Association website. https://www.wisbar.org/NewsPublications/Pages/General-Article.aspx?ArticleID=26432 ) “The Wisconsin Supreme Court has ruled (4-3) that the City of Madison’s construction of a pedestrian bridge over a major highway, blocking visibility of an existing billboard, was not a taking of property requiring just compensation.” “Adams Outdoor Advertising Limited […]

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AACSRE Journal Provides Study of Signage Needs of Independent Businesses

In the most recent edition of The Interdisciplinary Journal of Signage and Wayfinding, one article is entitled “Providing brand guidance for independent businesses: A supplement to District Signage Standards.” Written by Lisa Fontaine, Associate Professor, Department of Graphic Design, and Susan L. Bradbury, Professor, Department of Community & Regional Planning, both at Iowa State University, the […]

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How Chicago Capitalized on Electronic Billboards

In 2013, the City of Chicago inked a 20-year deal for 34 electronic billboards (initially, but a total of 60 are anticipated) along the interstate. Chicago received an initial payment of $15 million, with subsequent annual payments of $10 million. In addition, the city was to initially receive 50% of the advertising revenue from the messages […]

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Value of Signs Article Published in Public Policy Journal

An article entitled “Understanding the Value of On-Premise Signs as Marketing Devices for Legal and Public Policy Purposes” has been published in the American Marketing Association’s Journal of Public Policy & Marketing. Co-authored by Villanova professor Charles R. Taylor, Matthew E. Sarkees (Villanova) and Hae-Kyong Bang (West Virginia), the study includes the results of a […]

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2017 Nielsen Study Examines Billboard Effectiveness

The results of the 2017 Nielsen Poster Advertising Study, conducted by Nielsen On Location, showed that more than 60%, of more than 4000 people surveyed, believe billboards are a “good way to learn about new businesses,” as wells as sales and events. The study which encompassed 36 campaigns, 31 brands and 10 markets, in 14 […]

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Branding for Independent Downtown Businesses

The December 2017 issue of the Academic Advisory Council for Signage Research and Education’s (AACSRE) Interdisciplinary Journal of Signage and Wayfinding includes an article entitled “Providing brand guidance for independent businesses: A supplement to District Signage Standards.” The article was written by two Iowa State professors, Lisa Fontaine (Department of Graphic Design) and Susan L. […]

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Signs and Business Development

The following article originally appeared on the Small Business Administration website in February 2001, but it was subsequently removed. The vast majority of the following information comes from what was formerly posted on the Small Business Administration website, beginning in 2000 in the “Starting Your Own Business” section. You can read how it occurred at http://signreference.org/2000/09/15/isa-signage-foundation-signs-web-agreement-with-sba/Unfortunately, […]

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How will my business sign be regulated?

The following article originally appeared on the Small Business Administration website in February 2001, but it was subsequently removed. Signage is regulated through the following two categories: Building and electrical codes The construction, installation, and operation of any permanent business sign will need to conform to all applicable building and electrical codes. Because compliance with […]

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Lighting and Illumination

The following article originally appeared on the Small Business Administration website in February 2001, but it was subsequently removed. The primary purpose of signage is to communicate to your targeted audience in a legible, readable and conspicuous manner while remaining pleasing to the eye. To accomplish this task during all hours, your signs must be […]

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Placement Matters

The following article originally appeared on the Small Business Administration website in February 2001, but it was subsequently removed. Even an attractive, expensive sign will not build business if it can’t be detected and read in sufficient time to safely exit traffic and make a stop. It must be the right sign to enhance business […]

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