MOTORVAN ADVERTISING BY CHANGING SIGN.
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IN each of our last two issues there has
each an article dealing with some aspects of advertising by motor vehicle. Reference was made in these articles to the value of the changing sign on a inotorvan, and in that written by our contributor " Vim " it was pointed out that numerous methods are available for providing movement for a sign attached to the body of a van. It was pointed out that it can be driven from the transmission or road wheels in one of several ways, so as to be actuated only while the vehicle is travelling; or. from the engine, so as to work as long as the engine is running; of electrically, where ,electric lighting is installed'; or by a small wind motor. We were not actually aware at that time that a sign suitable for Use on motorvans, and operated by one of these means was available, although, by a remarkable coincidence' Pearson and Marsden, Ltd., 116a, Islington, Liverpool, advise us that they were, on the very day that the article appeared, demonstrating in the Birmingham district their patent " Adverto " revolving sign as applied to motorvans.
This concern has, as a matter of fact, been engaged for some considerable time in carrying out experiments with this sign in order to discover the most suitable movement which will give the best results from both the advertising and mechanical points of view. The illustrations on this page depict the device in its latest form. It will be gathered from these pictures that the sign has four advertising sides. The actual size of the sign may vary according to the type of body in use, although the standard size which is made, viz., 4 ft. long by 15 ins, deep, allows a liberal space' for advertising matter. When full-size letters are employed on a sign this size, it it is stated that the letters can easily'lX) read at considerable distances.
The sign can be driven by a flexible shalt from the fan pulley, the magneto shaft, or the cardan shaft, and it can be fitted to any type of van or lorry without the need for structural alterations of any description. The speed at which the sign revolves varies according to the speed of the engine, although, of course, the interval between each quarter turn of the sign can be varied according to individual requirement's. The interval between the exhibition of each side in one direction can be varied from one to four seconds.
• As " Vim " says in the article referred to, the easiest way to reduce running costs is to increase the earning power of a vehicle and the intermittent revolving sign is a most effective way of accomplishing this purpose. Good advertising matter must be well displayed and frequently varied_to become effective, and while a liVe advertisement. en the front or back of a motor vehicle is not the only good medium for advertising matter, it is certainly one of the best for motor owners and one which cannot be neglected by either small or national adver' tisers. The ease with which the matter can be changed greatly adds to the value of this novel method of publicity.
Where a motor vehicle crriner does not desire to advertise his own business or goods, he can make a useful profit by selling the space on -his sign to other people whose business demands wide publicity. A motor vehicle user should have no difficulty in selling this space many times over,, especially if the means employed be on original lines.