The Obstacles Faced by Outdoor Advertising in India

Outdoor Advertising or OOH (Out-of-Home), the oldest form of advertising, is still going strong. The platform has always successfully negotiated the obstacles which have occurred in its path throughout the ages. When we put it in the Indian context, we find a higher number of obstacles due to various reasons. Let us look at some of the stymies which the OOH Agencies in India have to overcome.

The first and foremost obstacle arises due to the diversity of India. The different kinds of terrain and weather conditions, in themselves, make a challenge out of successful implementations of OOH campaigns. It has been found best to employ local assets who can also ensure proper maintenance throughout the period of the campaign. Managing assets, on a pan India basis, requires a strong network which cannot be afforded by most of the agencies.

Another problem, plaguing the Outdoor scenario in India, is the continued presence of illegal hoardings. Apart from the dangers which they create, illegal hoardings eat away into the revenue of the authorized Outdoor Agencies, making their sustenance and growth a difficult affair. The fight, against the unauthorized agencies, has been on since a long time and has recently received a ray of hope with the Delhi high court finally ordering the immediate removal of all illegal hoardings in Delhi.

The OOH Sector in India has to take into account government regulations in their attempts at digitization of the sites. The dream of complete OOH-Mobile integration cannot be completed without convincing the authorities. Media houses have been praying to the authorities in this regard for quite some time now. 

The above are the top obstacles which are faced by Outdoor Advertising Agencies in India. However, the media continues to provide excellent solutions to the brands even in the face of the above obstacles.

What is the Biggest Priority for an Outdoor Advertising Agency in India Now?

Outdoor Advertising Agencies have the unique task of maintaining the oldest platform of promotional activities known to mankind. The foremost step, in ensuring that Outdoor Advertising (OOH) survived and excelled throughout the years, has been the continuous adoption of the latest technologies. This has been a priority requirement for adapting to the changing nature of markets over time. The current period marks another phase in the history of Outdoor Advertising in India when a major adoption is required. This required change in modus operandi is the integration of the mobiles into the functioning of the OOH Billboards and Hoardings.

The mobile revolution has firmly hit across the generational and socioeconomic divides in India. It is very important that the Outdoor Media integrates itself with the mobile platform in order to create further reach and higher impact. The West is already seeing executions of OOH Campaigns where mobiles and handsets of the audiences are being extensively used. The integration opens up unlimited ways of sending the brand message to the viewers in a personalized manner. Before the integration, the brand message was almost always passed in a general manner. But use of the mobiles enables the brand to personalize the message so that it creates the maximum impact. The OOH Hoardings and displays then can serve the purpose of grabbing the attention of the audiences while their mobiles can be used to perpetuate the intended message. Getting connected to the mobiles can also serve the purpose of creating a database and a long term relationship with the target groups.

The major OOH Agencies in India are hoping that the regulating authorities take the urgency of the situation in account and allow for the modifications necessary for the digitization of the medium and integration of the mobiles.

Going for OOH India is Going for the Highest Visibility.

If you are thinking maximum visibility for your brand at the lowest costs, you are thinking OOH India. Covering every nook, corner, open space, and transit station in India, OOH or Outdoor Advertising has played a key role in building brand impressions among the audiences in India. The hoardings, banners, etc. inside and outside the transit stations, malls, markets, roadsides and any place which is Out-of-Home, have ensured that maximum spaces can be made available for your brand.

This high visibility creates immense brand recall rate which increases your Returns on Investment (RoI). The key point for success in OOH is a strong network of professionals who can implement the campaigns within the decided time frames and follow them up with efficient maintenance programs. All the leading OOH Agencies in India are principally strong in the area of their media network. Developing such a network is never a stroll in the park but takes years of experience in the industry. If the terrain is as complicated as OOH in India, add a few more years before complete control can be obtained. It is only experienced Outdoor Advertisers, like TDI, which can provide any of your desired locations in a hassle-free manner.

An OOH Advertising Campaign, held according to the best practices of the industry, brings the brand into the scope of high visibility and brand recall rate. Both of these factors are absolutely essential for ensuring a good rate of growth at times of stiff competition in all major industries.