Home Asides MTA dumps delinquent advertising contractor Titan

MTA dumps delinquent advertising contractor Titan

by Benjamin Kabak

Earlier this month, in an effort to highlight ways in which the MTA can better maximize its revenue potential, I wrote on how Titan Outdoor Holdings, one of the MTA’s advertising contractors, had fallen $18 million behind in its payments to the transit authority. Today, the MTA announced that it has terminated its contract with Titan after the company failed to pay $20 million owed to the authority for 2009 and 2010. The MTA has draw on Titan’s bank to collect the money it is due.

CBS Outdoor will take over the advertising space inside and outside buses and on Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North trains and stations that Titan hard previously managed. This company has been managing New York City subway and Staten Island Railway advertising space for years, and the MTA noted that CBS Outdoors has paid all of its bills despite an economic downturn.

“The sale of advertising space is a critical revenue source, especially at a time when MTA is facing a budget shortfall of $750 million,” MTA CEO and Chairman Jay H. Walder said in a statement. “MTA can’t afford to bail out businesses that do not perform the contractual promises that were the basis for their selection. We’re pleased to be moving forward with CBS Outdoor.” All’s well that ends well.

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6 comments

Joe February 24, 2010 - 6:56 pm

The ads on the SIR are horrible. They are so outdated, they still have a few advertising the waterfalls they had 2 or so years ago. Its amazing how they can still make money when ads are so outdated and rarely replaced.

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tacony palmyra February 24, 2010 - 7:02 pm

At least they’re displaying ads for the correct transit agency: http://www.septafail.com/2010/.....anada.html

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Joe February 24, 2010 - 7:29 pm

The MTA actually dumping a bad contractor? Like what I’m seeing from Walder so far.

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Anon February 24, 2010 - 8:27 pm

Re: All’s well that ends well

So when are they getting security money????
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_.....ed_to.html

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Scott E February 24, 2010 - 8:49 pm

That link that Anon posted says “Titan promised the MTA 72% of gross revenues – the highest in the industry.” Something tells me the terms with CBS Outdoor won’t be so good.

But I suppose a lower percentage is really better, provided they pay.

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made June 3, 2010 - 11:36 am

Why is there only ONE agency that is allowed to advertise on subway trains, buses, etc.? This is not right. MTA should offer “open-platform” to all advertising agencies and companies that are interested in advertising. Monopoly leads to higher rates and hence, less ads.

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