Viewing Habits of the American Public

As a business owner or a marketing representative of a company, it is important to understand the dynamics of what has and will continue to shape habits of the consumer.

In the 1960’s, the average consumer allocated their time:

* Watching one of four (4) main television channels.

* Reading the local newspaper

* Reading magazines

* Listening to one of eight (8) radio stations

In the 1970’s, the average consumer:

* Watched one of eight (8) television channels

* Read the local newspaper

* Read magazines

* Listened to one of sixteen (16) radio stations

* Began to use desktop and networked computers at work

In the 1980’s, the average consumer:

* Watched one of ten (10) major network channels, and twenty alternate cable channels, with the debut of Home Box Office (HBO)

* Read the local newspaper and alternate papers such as the Wall Street Journal.

* Viewing movies on a VCR.

* Listening to one of twenty four (24) radio broadcasts.

* Began to use desktop computers at home by Apple, followed by the PC Clones.

In the 1990’s, the average consumer:

* Watched one of twelve (12) local network channels, and sixty alternate cable channels, with 2 to 6 home movie channels

* Viewed movies on the VCR, with access to video stores supplying a great variety of titles.

* Enjoy the movies more frequently at Mega Theater complexes.

* Read the newspaper and alternative papers.

* Listening to one of twenty four (24) radio stations.

* Use desktop computers, and the internet for business and pleasure at home.

In the 2000’s, the average consumer will:

* Watch one of twelve (12) local network channels, and eighty (80) alternate cable channels, with 2 to 12 home movie channels

* View movies on the DVD, Bluetooth, Blue Ray, with access to on-line stores supplying a great variety of titles for both. Have direct TV by Satellite Dish, increasing diversity, or download movies from Netflix, Hulu, etc.

* Enjoy the movies at Mega Theater complexes.

* Read the newspaper and alternative papers in print or on-line.

* Listening to one of twenty-four (24) radio stations, or a digital radio service such as Sirus.

* Increase their use of desktop, laptop, computers, I-pads and their phones for business and pleasure. Use the Internet for purchases, business and entertainment.

The Advertising Market

Florida is blessed or as some maintain cursed, by having more billboards than almost any other state in the United States. Due to the inbound Florida seasonal tourist, sign companies and private business enterprises started in the 1950’s to place outdoor signs in the state of Florida. The State of Florida got an early start, but in some respects, billboards kept the traffic moving and directed to their final destinations. It might be a stretch, but some billboard proponents suggest that: “Billboards built Florida”.

Today, the vast majority of Floridians are permanent residents, with Orlando leading the state in tourism traffic.

Business should use Outdoor Advertising due to:
* Consumer mobility.
* The habits of American consumers.
* Lower cost than other media venues.
* Competitive reach to diverse target audiences
* Numerous signs of various configurations provide frequency and greater exposure than most other advertising venues

0 Being one of the most cost-effective advertising venues available.

Independent billboard operators have kept the price of outdoor advertising competitive. Outdoor advertising is affordable, priced from $500 to $2,500 dollars per month, per bulletin. Most small to medium business owners can afford to get the exposure they need.