“Hundreds of thousands of buyers repeatedly receive up-to-the-minute information concerning products necessary to their daily living.” No, we are not talking tweets or Google+, the advertising medium in mind is billboards.
“To Market to Market,” by General Outdoor Advertising Co. offers a look at daily life in Chicago circa 1942. While we discover the scientific processes behind outdoor ad placement, Chicagoans are seen running errands in furs, hats, and heels or pulling up vintage automobiles to a filling station. A billboard reading, “Help Defense, Don’t Waste Antifreeze,” displays a sense of the times, yet ads for Sunkist, Coca-Cola, and Rice Krispies remind us that maybe nowadays are not so different.
[via How to be a Retronaut]
Jessica Mlinaric founded Urban Explorer in 2010 to inspire curious travelers by highlighting history, culture, and hidden gems in Chicago and beyond. She is the author of ‘Secret Chicago’ and ‘Chicago Scavenger.’ Jessica has visited 20+ countries and 30+ U.S. states. She has more than 16 years of experience as a marketing strategist and works as a freelance writer and photographer.
