Jumbo Advertising is Big Business

One of the most effective and popular new medians to advertise in around the Northwest Arkansas market is with the UA’s state-of-the-art Smartvision LED at Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

Often called a “jumbotron,” the 30×170 Smartvision is the largest video board at any sports venue in the world. Matt Shanklin, director of marketing and licensing in the UA athletic department, said requests for advertising on the Smartvision have increased as it enters its second season.

Arkansas opens its football season with Boise State at Razorback Stadium on Sept. 7. There will be five Razorback home football games this year.

First Security Bank Corp. is using Sept. 7 to debut its new logo, waiting until the following day to introduce its new look to the daily newspapers.

“The demand is growing, especially now that we have people who have been in stadium and have seen signage and have seen what we can do on the video board,” Shanklin said. “It becomes a very desired placement to get involved with. And you’re advertising to such a captive audience … and such a large, captive audience.”

The large advertisers this year are already set for Smartvision. They include Southwestern Bell/Cingular Wireless; Excedrin/Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.; ACT II Popcorn; First Security Bank; AQ Chicken House; The Morning News; Coca-Cola Bottling Co. and Farm Bureau. Advertisers in the end zones that will not be on Smartvision include Papa John’s, Fuji Film and Citgo.