Holiday Inn To Choose LED Signage

More signage news from around the world - as part of its $1 billion global relaunch, Holiday Inn has redesigned its logo, requiring new exterior signage for more than 3,200 locations. In lieu of neon or fluorescent lighting, the chain selected LEDs for their energy efficiency and long lifespan. The new signs are expected to save hoteliers $4.4 million annually in maintenance and energy savings.

The transformation to the new lit signage was no easy task. The project has involved more than 20 sign manufacturers creating 9,300 channel letter and box signs with the high-performance LED lighting inside. Holiday Inn expects to cut energy usage by more than half and achieve an estimated 52 percent reduction in kilowatt hours with signs lit an average of 12 hours per day year round.

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Georgetown Reviews Signage Rules

More signage news from around the world from Hants and Dorset Signs - the material, height, color and placement of signs in Georgetown County in South Carolina is underreview and scrutiny. The Georgetown County Planning Commission is working its way through the existing county's 23-page sign ordinance hoping to eventually have something to present to County Council. Over the past 18 months, the planning commission has been working to tidy up the county's ordinances as development has slowed. Last year, the commission worked to put in place countywide zoning. Less than half the county was zoned two years ago.

The commission had its third meeting Wednesday and considered the use of neon signs, banners, roof signage and color palette. Commissioners Glenda Shoulette and Larry Fox said the neon signs were necessary in some cases.Ultimately, the commission agreed to propose prohibiting the neon signs along the Waccamaw Neck Overlay Zone, except for open and closed signs. The overlay zone covers 500 feet on either side of U.S. 17 and institutes regulations on signage, building materials, roof pitch and the paint color of buildings.

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Downmarket Signage Row

More signage news from around the UK from Hants and Dorset signs - the arrival of the 99p Stores in Lymington Hampshire has have raised the odd eyebrow in the town that suggested is was too posh for an Argos – but the latest saga has angered the new shop’s owners. The family-run discount shop, which last month moved into the site which was previously occupied by a Woolworths, have been told to take down their 99p sign because it is not in keeping with the town’s Georgian high street.

Theywill face prosecution if it is not removed as they do not have proper planning permission for the shop front signage.

A spokesperson for the New Forest District Council, said;" it would be extremely unlikely the company would obtain retrospective planning permission. Our judgement is that the sign is pretty awful and we will give them a brief opportunity to voluntarily remove it before we begin prosecution proceedings.”

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Chester Zoo - Top Marks For Educational Signage

More signage news from around the UK from Hants and Dorset signs as Chester Zoo’s education signage and facilities have been given full marks. The zoo education division has picked up the prestigious Sandford Award from the Heritage Education Trust and the Learning Outside the Classroom quality badge from the Council for Outdoor Learning.

The Learning Outside the Classroom badge is given to organisations that provide an excellent and safe learning experience. The zoo first received the Sandford Award in 2004, becoming the first zoo in the UK to do so. This time around, the Sandford judges described the zoo as an ‘excellent resource’ adding that ‘nothing could compare to seeing live, wild animals at close quarters’.

The awards take into account our whole approach to conservation education including taught educational ‘discovery programmes’ for schools, interactive materials, award-winning signage at animal enclosures around the zoo and extensive library facilities.

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Addicated To Signage

More fun signage news from around the world - this time from New Zealand - George Rice never had to ask for a sign - they have been coming to him for the past 36 years, ever since he moved into his Paraparaumu home. There are street signs and public health signs, signs from Kapiti Coast District Council and signs from Child, Youth and Family, signs selling candy floss and signs selling Sony PlayStations.

He could not remember exactly when he started collecting signs nor how many he owned, but they covered his expansive back yard. "It's like a drug. You start with one sign and then it just keeps going," he said. The police had never taken issue with his collection, which greets passers-by in Awatea Ave. The council, where he worked in waterworks for 20 years, had not made a fuss either, Mr Rice said.

Signs are only one of his passions. Several walls of his house are papered with thousands of beer stickers from around the world, which Mr Rice coated in polyurethane. A shed out the back is lined wall-to-wall with exotic beer bottles.

Anyone passing through Paraparaumu was welcome to view his collection, he said. His tip for other collectors was plain. "I'm bloody mad. You've got to be mad."

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Billboards will be 'ugly and obtrusive',

More signange news from Hants and Dorset Signs. As reported in the local Hampshire press this week the plans to create dozens of advertising billboards across a town will be both 'ugly and obtrusive', claim campaigners. It has been reported that Fareham council leaders hope to put up 61 signs – some as big as 10ft by 40ft – which could potentially earn the Hampshire authority around £192,000 in advertising revenue.

But local Lib Dem leader Councillor Roger Price is worried about the visual impact they will have on the town. He went onto say; "I have a majorproblem with the bigger signs – it's trying to Americanise this country. It will destroy the environment and the aesthetics of the borough and it seems as if most of them will be put up in the east of the borough – Fareham town and Portchester."

Under the plans, the signs will be dotted around the area on council-owned or leased plots. If the idea is approved, companies will be invited to bid for the rights to sell advertising space. Planning permission will also be required for each of the sites.

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Historic Roof Signs

More on signage from around the world. Signage on buildings and along streets has evolved, as has the move to prohibit them in recent months. But the origin of the roof sign in Los Angeles reflects one aspect of our rich local history that runs the risk of being elbowed out by the more bully-like presence of neon-lit ads that now top buildings all over the city.

The website for the Coalition to Ban Billboard Blight has a brief look at the issue, and prompts readers to consider the history of the signs and the threat posed upon them: It is quoted as saying "And exactly why should we care? Because numerous buildings, not only in Hollywood but in midtown and other, older areas of the city, have these often ornate, rooftop signs and many persons interested in historic preservation are concerned about them getting caught up in the new, more stringent sign regulations now under discussion by the city council."

Specifically, it examines a neon sign promoting a brand of liquor that grew out of the conversion of the previous sign on top of the Bank of Hollywood Building, and how its owners consider the sign "iconic." But one ad man's iconography is a preservationist's blight: "What is not debatable is that the sign is part of an ongoing assault on the visual landscape of the community, and an affront to the idea of historic preservation.

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Peta Backs Down to Pressure, Replaces "Blubber" Billboard

More signage news from around the world from Hants and Dorset Signs. Six weeks after erecting the now infamous "Save the Whales" billboard, Peta has pulled it and replaced the signage with a toned down challenge ad which reads, "GONE Just like all the pounds lost by people who go vegetarian." The ad was originally placed in Jacksonville, Florida, and read "Save the Whales. Lose the Blubber: go vegetarian" and was accompanied by a drawing of an overweight, bikini-clad woman.

Peta is no stranger to making bold claims in hopes of drawing attention to its cause and has used the practice as a branding tool. It's sort of genius, when you think about it. The cost of that single billboard has undoubtedly gotten them millions in free media exposure worldwide and today they're going to get anothernews flash for taking the ad down.

When asked why they had replaced the Ad - PETA responded "By replacing the original artwork in the billboard, we're able to give a fresh perspective on the issue and keep people talking about going veg to lose weight. We're excited that so many people across the country have been motivated by the billboard..."

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Sharp Shooting Signs

As reported in the UK press today the RAC Foundation has warned of the growing phenomenon of gunmen firing at road signs at locations across Britain. Officials there say that many of the shootings are "drive by", with the guns fired from a moving vehicle. Analysis of the damaged signs reveals that a high proportion of shots are fired from the near, or passenger, side of the car. A report compiled for the motoring organisation has found evidence that illegally-held handguns, high velocity rifles and shotguns are all being used in the shootings.

The report includes signs across the country – on busy commuter routes and in rural locations – damaged by shotgun blasts. Others, such as a roundabout sign in Hampshire, reveal the potentially lethal effects of live rounds from an illegally-held .45 handgun. Other signs have been pierced by rounds from semi-automatic 9mm pistols. Both weapons are favoured by the criminal underworld.

Another sign – in Warwickshire – has been penetrated by a large-calibre rifle round, possibly from an ex-military weapon.

The Department for Transport said it would look into the findings.

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New signs show the way in Staffordshire

New signs that point visitors in the direction of five major tourist attractions have been installed across the District. Led by Cannock Chase Council, the project has seen signs installed at the major entry points into the District. They lead visitors to the Council's Museum of Cannock Chase in Hednesford, the Cannock Chase Visitor Centre, Birches Valley Forest Centre, the Wolseley Centre and Shugborough Hall, all of which have contributed to the project. In addition to these venues, signs have been put up with contributions from Go Ape!, Swynnertons Cycles and Silver Trees Holiday Park.

Staffordshire County Council's Highways department designed and installed the signs as part of a Cannock Chase signage strategy. The Cannock Chase AONB Unit has also been involved to ensure that the project has taken into consideration the most appropriate routes to lessen the impact of visitors and vehicles on the conservation of the Chase.

This is the second phase of a scheme which, two years ago, saw a number of directional traffic signs for Cannock Chase Council's leisure facilities in the District.

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Bangkok Airport to introduce new signs

Duty-free stores at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport are to introduce clearer signage to prevent conflicts between shoppers and staff. The move follows complaints from tourists who claim to have been wrongly accused of shoplifting after unknowingly taking goods from the premises. King Power International Group (Thailand), which operates the duty-free shops at the airport, denies taking legal action against customers leaving the shop without paying for products because they did not know where the cash counters were, but says it will introduce the new signage soon.

King Power International Group (Thailand) group managing director Sombat Dechapanichkul was reported as saying; “At present the exit line in most shops is marked by floor furnishings such as wood, carpet, marble and ceramic tiles, but in open-space walk-through outlets the light line on the shop’s floor needs to be marked more clearly for consumers. Dechapanichkul does not believe the modifications will have an impact on sales, but is confident they will help avoid passenger confusion. “The new signs will act as an additional polite prompt to our customers to pay for their purchases at the nearest cashier at their convenience and will have no direct impact on sales. The improvements are simply part of our drive to ensure shoppers’ comfort and satisfaction.”

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Sign causing beauty spot motor mayhem

As reported today in the local UK press holidaysmakers are being urged to ignore sat navs directing them down a narrow lane to the beauty spots of May Beck and Littlebeck.
One villager is so fed up with the situation that last Friday a plyboard sign which has been spray-painted "access only no caravans your sat nav does not no best," appeared. A local council offical has complained that not only does the sign not look good but it has a spelling mistake in it.

He went onto say; "But this summer alone two double decker coaches, cars, caravans and wagons following sat navs have all attempted travelling the steep lane. We have alerted North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) to it as it's an increasing problem."

He concluded "With the caravans it's mainly in the summer but sat nav is becoming an increasing national problem, it's not specific to Littlebeck."

Although NYCC has already provided warnings the lane includes two steep hills, somebody has obviously lost patience with drivers who think their sat nav knows best and has added the sign.

Les Parker, of NYCC Highways department said: "I am not aware we have had any particular complaints about that junction but I think the name of it – Lousy Hill Lane – says it all.

"People should believe what they see with their own eyes on signs and not just listen to their sat nav. I do have sat nav myself though so I know how easily this can be done."

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Giant Olympics signs to cover skyscrapers

Vancouver can expect to see gigantic Games-related signs on the sides of skyscrapers starting as early as October 2009. Last week, city council passed a bylaw package allowing owners to begin installing large-scale celebratory signage Oct. 1. The special technology used to cover a building face relies on warm, dry temperatures, weather not found in Vancouver’s winter months. “At the most, the signs could be as large as a full face of a building,” general manager of Olympic and Paralympic operations Paul Henderson was quoted as saying.

Only 10 to 15 downtown towers will be plastered with images greater than 10 per cent of their surface area, but thousands of banners and smaller signs will cover the city, Henderson said. “Definitely we expect the images to build excitement,” he said. What constitutes “celebratory” is open to interpretation. It could include images of skiers shooting down mountainous slopes or speed skaters rounding a curve – anything that creates enthusiasm for the Games. But it doesn’t mean free advertising.

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Now Thats What I Call A Banner

Some great out-of-the-box thinking by turning the whole side of a building into a massive advertising signage space. Giant images of a dog and cat, with the tagline "play ball," appear on the 96-foot by 160-foot wrap that stretches across the north face of the tower building, at 1 Checkerboard Square, near Ninth Street and Chouteau Avenue in downtown St. Louis.

Five vertical panels of the mesh material, which allows office occupants to see through the signage, covers the top eight floors of the 15-story tower's north face. The signage is aslo expected to be reusable and therefor a very green solution.

The pet product company's internal agency, CheckMark, came up with the creative design and copy. International outdoor marketing firm Posterscope, based in the United Kingdom, did the production. The project was under 30 days from start to finish.

Impressive !!!

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