"Hello, Washington" said the sign to the driver

When the billboards begin to talk to you, maybe it's time for a little more sleep every night. All around Tacoma people may be asking themselves why some area billboards read "Hello, Washington". I've seen three such signs and don't see any hidden marketing purpose or motives going on. I've seen one heading east from downtown on 509, on on the corner of 26th and A Street, and coming back into town from Pioneer Way. All are Clear Channel owned billboards so I'm inclined to believe these are just place holders while other content is forthcoming.

Anyone else have any ideas based on fact or imagination?

Update - Slightly more info (2006-06-14 @ 10:34am)
Just gave a call over to the local Clear Channel office and found they won't divulge any information about the ad. When asked whether it was a placeholder ad I was told it was not. But that's it.

Comments (9) | To Top

6/14/2006 @ 9:26am

I too have seen these billboards around town and wondered what's up. My guess is that in the near future we will see additional content placed in the white space. Also, it reminds me of one of those sticky name tags you might wear at a meet & greet so I'm wondering if it's for a business new to Washington.

by Angela

6/14/2006 @ 9:58am

Ooo... Those are solid ideas. I wonder if a call to Clear Channel could yield about the company sponsoring particular billboards? Might have to give them a ring.

by KevinFreitas

6/14/2006 @ 1:03pm

The latest bet Sarah and I have on this is that it's a financial institution (e.g. bank or credit union) that's coming to town.

6/14/2006 @ 4:30pm

That's exactly what I thought! Why do you think we think that? Is it because banks try to be chummy with us? Why not a furniture store, grocery store, coffeehouse or gas station?

6/15/2006 @ 1:08am

Hmm. Well, if they renovate an old building and move to downtown, more power to them.

"Also, it reminds me of one of those sticky name tags you might wear at a meet & greet so I'm wondering if it's for a business new to Washington."

Yes. And free food!

by Erik

6/15/2006 @ 6:22am

I agree, Erik. We can use good businesses in Tacoma both big and small. It'd be nice if we could lure a couple more corporate headquarters here and sweeten the deal with nice condos within walking distance -- oh wait! We already have plenty of condos!

6/15/2006 @ 11:44am

Hmm... I'm just having the weirdest day. Why does the past keep coming back to haunt me? Hi Kevin. I live a few blocks down from on of the signs here in Seattle. What have you been up to for the past - what is it - 10 years now?

by Sarah Kremen-Hicks

6/15/2006 @ 8:42pm

"We already have plenty of condos!"

Yes, the Marcato are now being sold en mass.

I hope we can keep the momentum for a few years.

There are alot of plans out there. Hopefully, more of them will be built.

What would be fun is to make a list of vacant buildings in the downtown core and cross them off when they become renovated.

6/17/2006 @ 10:28pm

Well, now we know! Today I saw one of the signs with the bottom portion filled in with an ad for...American Family Insurance.

Insurance/Bank - we were close.

I will say that after creating an ad campaign intended to generate interest (which it obviously did), I don't think they made the best use of the available bottom space. The portion which actually names the company is rather boring and I think a bit too small, especially when compared with the "Hello Washington" portion. I expect Kevin will soon post an updated picture for us all to compare.

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