Saddlers' hope over big advert
Income generated through the biggest advertising board in Britain will help to secure the future of Walsall Football Club, bosses said today.
The colossal double-sided billboard stands over the M6 and is viewed by thousands of motorists travelling between the busy Junctions 8 and 9 every day. A leading advertising expert now predicts other large organisations may look to follow suit and promote themselves through large hoardings or banners on prominent buildings.
The eye-catching 75ft high structure currently promotes Walsall FC events and conference facilities along with its www.m6j9.com website.
It was granted planning permission despite objections from the Highways Agency that it would distract motorists on the M6.
Club bosses won permission to put up the billboard in Bescot Crescent last year insisting it would protect the jobs of around 300 people who work for club.
The aim now is to get other advertisers and bring in cash from as many ways as possible including off-field activities such as the Sunday market. Walsall FC chief executive Roy Whalley said: "We are trying to create income streams that will give us the finance to maintain league football.
"We have to try to take advantage of our location to try to create additional incomes sources. In the long term it will attract blue chip companies to advertise."
Colin Davies, lead tutor on design for advertising at Wolverhampton University, said: "If you look back to the 1930s recession this was when huge hoardings came about as they were the cheapest way to advertise. I think we are going to see more and more as it is more cost-effective."
