MARTA and CommuterAds Partner to Launch GPS, Time and Location-Based Advertising

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) and CommuterAds are launching a dynamic transit advertising partnership guaranteed to bring a new communication tool and generate revenue to the MARTA system.

The company’s technology platform enables advertisers to connect directly with MARTA customers at specific times and locations using onboard bus monitors that scroll digital audio, visual and text messages.

The CommuterAds platform works like this: Every time a bus passes an advertiser’s location of choice, a 15-second audio spot plays through onboard speakers. To reinforce the audio message, a visual text message is displayed simultaneously on the same bus marquee that also provides passengers with route information. The accompanying visual text can include an advertiser’s website URL, address, phone number or call-to-action.

“We look forward to providing relevant information to MARTA’s customers,” said Russ Gottesman, CEO of CommuterAds, the Midwest’s fastest-growing transit media provider. “Local businesses can now speak directly to local customers in a fun, innovative way while expanding on the footprint and formula for success we have experienced over the past seven years.”

“MARTA has consistently been on the leading edge of innovation,” said Keith T. Parker, GM/CEO for the transit system. “This partnership with CommuterAds will allow us to communicate in an effective way with our
customers and begin growing new revenue streams for the agency.”

CommuterAds currently partners with 13 transit authorities throughout the U.S. and is a 12-time, first place winner of The American Public Transportation Association’s annual Ad Wheel awards recognizing the best creative digital campaigns in North America.

Most recently, CommuterAds partnered with First Lady Michelle Obama’s #BetterMakeRoom campaign in support of the President's "North Star" goal -- that by 2020, America will once again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world. The Ohio based company was one of only a handful across the country invited to The White House.

CommuterAds builds mutually beneficial relationships between commuters, transit authorities and advertisers. While allowing advertisers to reach targeted audiences, CommuterAds generates revenue for transit authorities, stabilizing riders’ fares and possibly preventing community tax increases.