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Huge Apple ads ruffle feathers in Boston

by Dave Caolo Oct 23rd 2009 at 2:30PM

Last week I was in Boston and drove past the ad pictured at right, as I have done many times. Even though it first went up in 2007, I still think, "Man, that is a big ad."

Boston's Outdoor Advertising Board agrees.

Two years ago, they declared the 13,750 square-foot monstrosity illegal because of its size. Yet it's still in place. Last June, the groups behind the advertising agreed to pay the state $110,000 as a settlement, according to The Boston Globe.

Now, according to the Globe, there's a political backlash. It seems that the settlement was reached with some "help" given to a business person from a campaign aide from Boston Mayor Thomas Menino's office. The same acquaintance reportedly has made annual donations to the Mayor's office since 2005.

The owners argue that the ad promotes sales inside the self-storage business just behind the huge wall, where customers can buy iTunes gift cards.

The ad space first went into use 6 months before Apple opened the flagship retail store on Boylston Street.

[Via iPodNN]

Photo: Yoon S. Byun, The Boston Globe

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Last week I was in Boston and drove past the ad pictured at right, as I have done many times. Even though it first went up in 2007, I still...
 

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Daniel Murray

Local jurisdictions should regulate the size of outdoor displays just as they regulate building heights through zoning. There are limits. Everywhere.

October 24 2009 at 5:37 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Steven Sokulski

As far as I can tell, the whale mural was on the side of a storage building. The owner of the building decided that instead of a picture of some whales he would rather have a big fat check. As funny as a "Save The Whale's Mural" tee shirt would be, this isn't anybody's business and its likely that any "rulings" will have no effect.

That aside, any argument that advertising shouldn't be this large is purely subjective and unfortunately, already being trumped by massive ads all over the place. You should see the building wraps that occupy some of the hotels here in Vegas.

October 24 2009 at 4:47 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
evilkid500

BRING BACK THE WHALES!!!!!

October 24 2009 at 1:22 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Scotty2shots

Never been to Boston, but drive down sunset or Santa Monica in LA and you'll see that advertising already is this big.

October 23 2009 at 8:17 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
colouroflight

Oh yes, more laws and bans are EXACTLY what we need.

October 23 2009 at 6:03 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mark

You are missing the point... The Apple ad is covering a giant whale mural that was somewhat of a Boston landmark. That is the reason a lot of people are pissed off about it, not the size (although it is ridiculously large).

Here is what the building looked like before the advertisement was put up:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=boston,+ma&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=48.106236,73.564453&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Boston,+Suffolk,+Massachusetts&ll=42.34378,-71.061823&spn=0.011038,0.01796&z=16&layer=c&cbll=42.344024,-71.061716&panoid=bxrpJsmqHoNNQarIpEZgGg&cbp=12,266.16,,0,8.87

@Randy I don't know how you can live in boston and never have seen this... It's right off rt. 93 on the south side of the tunnel.

October 23 2009 at 4:11 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
JKT

I think the ad is cool. I don't know what the building looked like before the ad was on it, but strongly suspect it's an improvement.

October 23 2009 at 3:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Randy

Ive lived in Boston now for several years, but have yet to see the ad... where is it?

And shady back-room deals with Politicians? In Boston? NEVER!!

October 23 2009 at 3:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Randy's comment
matthew

You can see it from the Southeast Expressway. It's near the Boston Herald.

October 23 2009 at 3:58 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
TJ Luoma


What?! Someone in a politician's office in Boston may have pulled some strings after some palms were greased?!?

SURELY YOU JEST.

p.s. I can make fun, I'm a Massh… err, I mean, I was born and raised (and learned how to drive!) in Massachusetts…

October 23 2009 at 3:08 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
colouroflight

Screw the "Outdoor Advertising Board." This is strictly the business of the owner of the self-storage warehouse. It's on HIS building.

October 23 2009 at 3:00 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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