The Truth Behind Featuring on Times Square NYC
In India, we have seen hype about someone featuring on Times Square. Sometimes it is for some politicians, sometimes it is for some celebrities, and these days we are even hearing this about the Bigg Boss contestants. In the recently concluded #BBOTT2, we have seen news about #AbhishekMalhan and #ElvishYadav being featured on the Times Square screens. Today we got the news of Abhiya video being shown on one of the screens at Times Square.
But, what is the reality of being featured on Times Square screens?
The reality is there is nothing like the USA recognizing anyone or someone is being honored by showing their picture on one of the screens of #TimesSquare. The Times Square billboards are an advertising medium that is run by private players. It is similar to the billboards and hoardings that we see in India in any marker or on the sides of the road. You have to hire the board by paying a daily fee. Similarly, on Times Square, private advertising agencies sell these Billboards where you can show your face or any other image or video. The cost of this advertisement varies from $5000 to $ 50,000 depending upon what size of screen you want, for how many times you want to run your Ad, and for how many days. If you will search on google then you will find many advertising agencies who sell these ad spots. One example is shown below:
These days many people put romantic videos of their girlfriends, and wives on Times Square on their birthdays, anniversaries, etc. So if you someone’s photo video or vote appeal on Times Square then don’t think that they are famous in New York, it only means that they are rich and they can spend $ 5,000 for advertising on Times Square which is approximately 4Lakhs INR. See how people advertise on Times Square:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CwGubg5rqCp/
As far as Bigg Boss contestants, those who have put their advertisements on Times Square only mean that they are rich and nothing more than that. You can’t expect people like #ManishaRani who comes from a humble background and is not so rich to put her advertisement in Times Square despite being much more popular than many others who buy Ad Spots on the NYC Times Square.
Similar ad spots can also be purchased at the Burj Khalifa, but the cost of Burj Khalifs is way too high. It is around 250000 AED which is approximately equal to 56 Lakhs in INR. Although many more people watch Bigg Boss in Dubai than in NYC but still you will not find anyone putting their ads on Burj Khalifa but you can find many on Times Square.
So, don’t get fooled by the PR stunts of anyone, be it a politician or a celebrity.
