Coming Soon: Subway Station Sponsorship?

The MTA is taking another look at corporate sponsors for their stations, because the fare hikes just aren't mending their financial crisis. amNewYork reports that they are looking (again) to significantly raise their current annual ad revenue, which is around $100 million. What would a station ad sponsorship entail? MTA board member Norman Seabrook describes one possible scene: "Imagine Disney coming in and painting the entire station and painting a yellow brick road...It may sound funny to some people but if I want to get $20,000 or $30,000 a month to keep this station properly maintained, then I think it's appropriate." He also added that this solution is obviously preferred to more job losses and fare hikes, and that they wouldn't go as far as renaming the stations. No other specifics have been released yet, though the MTA mentioned having a dozen or so interested parties.

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By Jen Carlson in Arts & Entertainment on August 7, 2008 2:02 PM

Comments [rss]

Qraymond

Hmmm. Or maybe the multi-millionaire MTA Board members who insist on riding for free could help out:

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2008/06/18/2008-06-18_mta_honcho_why_ride_if_its_not_free.html

Considering that their tax burden has plummeted over the last 8 years, perhaps its time they pitch in a little more. The alternative is a set of fair hikes that will only affect the low and middle classes.

so1337

Terminex

Clorox

would be great for sponsorship

eyekantspel

Here's an idea... how about the TWU sponsor the subways? There are over 50,000 MTA workers. Surely some of them could pitch in and clean it up

NannyState

Start with a pest control company like Terminix. Then add Charmin. And when the rats and human feces are under control, bring in Disney to turn subway stations into branded family-fun destinations.

dr zippy

When did Disney buy Time-Warner?

Amanda Harletsch

That would mean that maybe a handfull of stationes will be sponsored while the rest look like crap for ever

Splicer

Look for a significant portion of the money made to end up in a few pockets at MTA. No genius salesman thinks of this sort of crap without it benefiting him and only him.

Qraymond

Wow. I'm really amazed that you guys think this is a good idea. How about instead of even more ads we just adequately fund the system?

Do we really need to prostitute every last square inch of public space? The government should be spending a lot more money than it is on mass transit. Hasn't this occurred to any of you? Or are you all just Madmen? :)

Gothamist_Cynic

they already do this in japan. nyc is so far behind.

GOP

This idea came around a few years ago, but, like the same people that didn't want a big Geico ad near the tunnel (who happen to be the same people bitching about fare hikes), the idea was quashed because idiots wanted to keep the integrity of the subways. Now they just smell piss. Please disney-fy the stations like Times Square.

whitecastlerock

There should also be an asshole tax for anyone complaining about development or corporate profits, and/or wearing any hipster attire.

I love this-thanks for making me laugh

Jerk Store

This is an excellent idea. I think there are probably a few historic or well-maintained stations that ought to stay as is, but otherwise,

I think the subway in general is not exploiting the revenues it could get from ads. Millions of riders every day as a captive audience is something they could exploit huge revenues from, and honestly, riding the subway is a purely functional thing so it wouldn't be too obnoxious. Paint the entire damn trains, if you can squeeze some nickels out of it.

Of course, the flip side of this is that the MTA would probably use the revenues to pay for free rides on Thanksgiving week or glow in the dark metrocards, so whatever.

JMH

$20,000 - $30,000 a month to maintain a station? What are these people smoking crack? Try two or three grand, tops.
Depends on the station, of course. For the 28th street station on the 6 line presumably not, but for Times Square, sure, it certainly could cost that much.

JRod5417

This is a great idea. Mickey Mouse would do a much better job keeping a station clean than the MTA.

JenChungsBaby

The people who own the Saw movie franchise should sponsor a station. They wouldn't have to change a thing.

books

the metrocard machines work so well, why dont they some brooms to the token booth clerks who dont have anything to do anymore?

jenspellnogood

I've asked the governor to demand a naming rights/licensing fee($25M per year, per team) from the Jets & Giants for using the name NY. They play their games in NJ, and none of the tax dollars come to us.

We should also reinstate the commuter tax asap. no more free rides for those that live outside the 5 boroughs.

There should also be an asshole tax for anyone complaining about development or corporate profits, and/or wearing any hipster attire.

Toby von Meistersinger

Something like the adopt a highway program would be best. You pay, you get a little sign saying what a good corporate citizen you are and that is that.

Think2wice

Bring it on!

BTW Rockefeller Center should be paying the MTA for displaying it's name all over the 47-50 Street Station.

Politburo

"$20,000 - $30,000 a month to maintain a station? What are these people smoking crack? Try two or three grand, tops."

Are you volunteering to clean subway stations for $36,000/year, then?