Jeff Moore is the United States Sales Rep for Media Resources (www.mediaresources.com) a Canadian company which provides digital sign products and services to billboard companies in Canada and the United States. I interviewed Jeff recently to find out what they do and how they can help small billboard companies. Jeff’s contact info is: [email protected], (636) 305-1919.
1. Jeff, what’s your background and how did you get into the digital sign business? I’m a former Ad Agency Account Manager with expertise in Outdoor Advertising. Later I was recruited to work for the first digital printer in the US. Following that I helped introduce a new quick post Trivision design. When digital displays took over that same company acquired a well-regarded digital display manufacturer and developed VISIONiQ, which is now the most technologically advanced digital display in the industry, bar none. And here we are.
2. What products and services does Media Resources provide to billboard companies? In Canada Media Resources provides every major resource to the Sign & Outdoor Advertising industries. They are Canada’s largest sign service company, digital printer, custom sign & advertising display manufacturer and digital display manufacturer.
In the US our focus is digital displays that offer more value added, time & money saving features, like our exclusive “no worries” 5 Level Redundancy System. From 2mm interior to 20mm weatherproof exterior we’re able to offer the optimum product and resolution for any job. And with our sign design/manufacturing experience we’re able to help with more types of jobs, particularly custom projects.
3. What mistakes do people make when choosing a digital sign?
- Not looking around – Company A may be what “everyone is using”, but that doesn’t mean they have the best product for your needs. Company B may be the cheapest but in 4 years the display may not be holding up or the maker may not be able to provide replacement parts.
- Resolution choice & not looking down the road – We get requests for certain resolutions/pixel size but when we ask, we find the primary audience will not be within that resolutions prime viewing range (a stop light for example). Higher resolution may be a little more expensive now, but companies should also factor in how long the display will be up and the fact that next year your competitor’s new display may be far better looking and attract more attention than yours. Fortunately all our displays are fully upgradable.
- Overbuying on resolution – If a display is being viewed from a longer distance, a higher resolution display may not be needed (at a “certain” distance it’s hard to tell the difference). We make sure to educate our clients so they are able to make informed decisions.
- Structural analysis – Not doing one could prove disastrous.
- Too much competition – Locating a digital billboard in an area with too many other digital billboards could make it harder to keep your display occupied.
- Thinking your market is too small – I’ve been amazed at how successful digitals have been even in small towns. In one town there’s only one and everyone wants to be on it!
- Selling your new digital space – Don’t try to sell it as a digital billboard. Sell it as an audience delivery medium & “here’s what you can now do with your advertising”. From day parting to sales to targeted or time sensitive messages to community service to the fact that production costs are lower (no more buying vinyls), digital displays open a whole new world of opportunities.
- Offering to help the community – Doing so may get the support needed to get current or future permits. Try to get traditional “billboard haters” like museums, to see your display as part of the fabric of, a plus for the community. Much like the OAAA did with their Art Everywhere campaign.
- Of course, not calling us is the biggest mistake!
4. Where do you make your product and how do you service your product?
We design everything in house, from our modules to our Remote Power Management System to our exclusive pixel design. We manufacture our own control systems and build all structural components in house. Certain components are sourced internationally as all companies do (FYI, the top RGB LEDs manufacturers are not made in the US). Our key partnerships go back well over a decade plus we supervise all work. In all areas though, everything is to our own design and specifications.
In Canada we’re able to do all the service ourselves. In fact we regularly service not just our own, but digital displays from every major manufacturer. This unique position helps us make our displays better, easier to service and more reliable.
In the US we either train a company’s staff or a company of their choice. To make sure shipping parts is never an issue we provide a complete set of consumables from modules to power supplies. Our support staff is available 24/7/365 and each display receives lifetime help desk support. Plus, we guarantee to be able to provide any replacement part, including modules, for a minimum of 10 years.
5. What are the benefits of dealing with Media Resources?
We’re not just a display manufacturer. We’re a respected and decorated international sign company with all the experience and capabilities that brings to the picture. Plus, unlike other companies we’re owned and managed by highly regarded Outdoor advertising veterans with firsthand knowledge and insights as to the needs and desires of Outdoor companies.
We also are finishing development of a Universal Operating System that will work on every manufacturers displays. In the past they were all proprietary which caused complications if you had, or wanted to work with more than one manufacturer. With our new Operating System one system will be able to run both our displays and any other system you own.
Finally, we offer more resolutions & options than any company in the industry which enables us to truly recommend and produce just the right solution for your needs. We don’t sell you what we make, we find what you need and make it for you.
