Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Big Moving Pictures?
- What is a “Rolling Television Network”?
- What is different about BMP to earlier outdoor screen presentations?
- What is the difference between “Advertisers” and “Event Sponsors”?
- Why Air Shows first?
- Are advertisers looking for Out Of Home media now?
- How is Hollywood involved?
- What about cellphones and other mobile devices?
- Are BMP programs going to be offered via the Web?
What is Big Moving Pictures?
BMP is the first company to monetize advertising on outdoor television screens on a national scale. Although superficially similar to the systems of production trucks and outdoor LED screens that you’ve seen for years at baseball games, NFL, NASCAR and so on, BMP is approaching this from a new, Silicon Valley-style angle that makes it possible for advertisers to conclusively reach their target consumers, and introduces the ad-based revenue model to large spectator events — this works thanks to BMP’s total integration with the event itself — there is no competing ‘signal‘ coming over the sound system or screens that would confuse or distract the audience — in every sense of the word, BMP becomes one with the show.
What is a “Rolling Television Network”?
BMP is essentially a rolling television network, with all that a TV network consists of: packaged content and live production, technology, promotion and advertising sales. Instead of using a distributed system of transmitters and satellites to reach the viewer at home, the ‘signal’ is sent to large outdoor screens and sound systems that are brought to events where enormous groups of people who are demographically attractive to national advertisers, can be found. BMP will provide systems of screens and sound across North America, and eventually Asia and Europe, in an expanding ‘footprint’ that allows coverage of multiple events simultaneously, and even remote-transmission of events in distant locales.
What is different about BMP to earlier outdoor screen presentations?
Outdoor television screens have traditionally been used to enhance the visibility of sporting and music events — the mobile outdoor LED screen business is a boutique, mostly evolved from the concert sound model. Since the screens are expensive to rent, most show producers simply can’t afford them. What nobody has done before BMP is to directly monetize these screens by treating them as a broadcast network in themselves, similarly to what is being done with in-cinema advertising and by leading-edge media outlets. By offering very large numbers of captive viewers and listeners, BMP’s ‘rolling television network’ will move quickly into a significant intersection of the broadcast television and outdoor advertising industries — BMP is starting its buildup with air shows and races.
What is the difference between “Advertisers” and “Event Sponsors”?
Prior to BMP, large screen advertisements have been provided as an extension of event sponsorships, yet that generates far less total revenue than what BMP’s sponsor-agnostic advertising model supports — this added revenue comes to both BMP and the event producer, essentially new income for all involved with the event. BMP is in fact truly new and uniquely leverages the existing ecosystem of large event producers, performers and advertisers to ensure that all benefit — this sounds too good to be true until viewed from its financial model, and the major benefits to producers, event sponsors, performers, investors and attendees are measured.
Why Air Shows first?
In total, there are approximately 400 air shows occurring in North America, with the largest comprising the top 70 shows — most of which are performed at by the Navy Blue Angels and Air Force Thunderbirds.
- The average time an air show spectator is present at the show site is 6.5 hours. Of that time, only 1.5 hours of actual in-flight performances take place. The remainder is spent either simply sitting in grandstands waiting for the next flight demonstration to happen, or walking around the static (aircraft) displays and vendor-booths.
- Normally air shows are held at large military bases or major public air fields, and it is virtually impossible for attendees to leave the show area and return, due to the logistical inconvenience of returning to the car (in some cases over a mile away), exiting and coming back through a line of traffic, etc.
- This leaves the remaining time open for video / audio content, and most importantly, advertising. For this to work, and most critically to solicit and sustain audience attention, the advertising must be incorporated into information, educational and entertaining material that is pertinent to the show, and that includes introductory and voiced-over statements by the air show announcer.
- The biggest air shows attract well over 100,000 visitors per day, and typically these are weekend shows, sometimes including a Friday afternoon ‘preview’ and a Saturday evening ‘twilight show’ which features pyrotechnics and other night-viewable elements. BMP’s giant screens and sound enhance the performance and provide informational and advertising elements.
Are advertisers looking for Out Of Home media now?
TV advertising is less effective than it was two years ago, and the medium might take some hard knocks within the next two years in a market correction, according to an ANA-Forrester Research study of 133 national advertisers. Seventy-eight percent of advertisers surveyed think TV advertising is less effective than it was two years ago. One major reason, according to Forrester VP Josh Bernoff, is digital video recorders, which allow users to skip commercials. Advertisers are looking to find alternatives to the traditional TV spots (Reuters/Hollywood Reporter).
How is Hollywood involved?
With the advent of high quality screens and sound at major outdoor venues, BMP is providing a ‘platform’ for well-known talent to make its way into the world of events — starting with a series of pre-recorded introductions and announcements to the public, celebrities from all walks of life: sports, television, movies, music, and more — will come to the big screens to inform, entertain and fascinate audiences across North America and abroad. BMP is in the process of establishing relationships with major TV networks for the exchange of content for screen time, such arrangements being beneficial to all parties involved and giving the networks a new platform for advertising their hot and upcoming series and actors.
What about cellphones and other mobile devices?
Many on-screen elements of BMP’s live and pre-produced content are going to be made available via next-generation cellphones and other mobile devices. Look for the first of these in the second half of 2006, including streaming video and podcasts — your favorite pilot or race driver’s view will now be there in the palm of your hand.
Are BMP programs going to be offered via the Web?
Similar to cellphones but with different production elements, BMP’s multi-feed signals can be distributed to the Web using video streaming and other techniques. Certain programs will be broadcast where rights are in place and/or the content originates from BMP’s live cameras. You can view still photos and short clips of BMP’s pre-produced content in the Media Center.