NYC Commuters To See More FerryAds Digital Signage
Gail Chiasson, North American Editor
Staten Islanders who commute into Manhattan have among the largest per capita income of the city!
Residents of that fast growing borough in NYC tend to have more automobiles per household, are well educated, and have solid buying power. A large number of them commute daily to work in Lower Manhattan’s financial district or midtown via the Staten Island ferry system which runs approximately every 15 minutes and, on weekends and holidays, every 30 or 60 minutes, depending on the time of day.
“New York City owns the ferries and the cost to travel is free,” says Teresa Rampulla, who carries the title of advertising sales manager and problem solver for FerryAds. “Otherwise a lot more people would take the bridge, causing heavier traffic congestion.”
S.I. Ferry Advertising’ FerryAds claim 3.8 million impressions monthly, reaching the 22 million passengers carried annually on the Staten Island ferry, and while these are largely through static ads, the company has moved into digital, initially with two digital screens on the ferries, and additional screens in Whitehall Terminal and the tunnel and escalators leading to outside to taxis, buses and subway lines.
“Dwell time in both the terminal and on the ferries means that advertisers get a big bang for their bucks,” says Rampulla, who said that WiFi will be added by February.
The 10-year-old company, which began originally as an ad agency, is owned by David Rampulla and employs 10 full- and part-time employees.
Now Rampulla is expecting to put in a lot more digital signage in the St. George Terminal and area. In St. George, where the Staten Island Ferry docks, the waterfront is slated for a major redevelopment that includes the New York Wheel, a 60-story ferris wheel that will accommodate up to 1,440 people per ride. The attraction will be the tallest observation wheel in the world, outdoing London’s Eye.
Alongside will be Empire Outlets, a 1,000,000 sq. ft. complex with 100 designer outlet shops and a 200-room hotel. The outlet shops will be a first for New York.
David Rampulla says that the contract for the Staten Island Ferries (a renewal) and St. George terminal was contingently awarded to FerryAds pending compliance requirements, etc..
“While the award is done, it will take a few more weeks to finalize the paperwork,” he says.
The term for that contract is to June, 2019.
October 19th, 2015 at 17:29 @770
The Wi-Fi is installed and running. Retro-Fitness and Jack-Pocket have used the WI-FI already to promote their brands as sponsors. Over 52,000 hits per week so far with numbers rising daily! It’s great to have this option available to advertisers and marketing teams.
October 19th, 2015 at 18:56 @831
Ferry Service is every 30 minutes except during morning and afternoon rush hour when it is every 15 minutes.
October 19th, 2015 at 21:50 @951
Hi Teresa, It would be great to connect with you to see how we might be able to leverage some opportunities with our clients and technology.