Advertising Policies

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this policy is to establish general uniform guidelines for the sale or lease of advertising space and sponsorship opportunities for the following categories:  route vehicles, publications, electronic and sponsorship programs.  Specific advertising program and product details (pricing and specifications) can be found below or in our rate brochure.  BT reserves the right, with the approval of the Town of Blacksburg Town Manager, to revise, delete, or add specific products and sponsorship programs.

ADVERTISING CONTENT

Advertising space will be used for commercial purposes only, i.e. proposing the payment of money in exchange for a commodity, service or event.  All advertisements must conform to the following rules.

1. Advertisements should reflect the best interests of the Town of Blacksburg (Town) and Blacksburg Transit (BT).
2. BT will not accept advertisements that are obscene, libelous, or fraudulent.  Blacksburg Transit will consult with the Town Attorney before making this determination.
3. BT will not accept advertisements for tobacco or tobacco related products.
4. BT will not accept advertisements for alcohol or alcohol related products.
5. BT will not accept advertisements for political campaigns, political issues, issue advocacy, public interest, or public service campaigns.
6. BT reserves the right to limit an individual advertiser to a total of (8) exterior signs per lease period.

The Town and BT reserve the right to use all advertising categories, and their individual components, to promote town activities, initiatives, and for the recruitment of applicants.

APPROVALS OF ADVERTISING

All potential advertising must be reviewed prior to production.  The BT Marketing Manager will be responsible for approving paid advertisements.  In the absence of the BT Marketing Manager, the BT Director will designate a staff person to handle this task.  Scheduling of the utilization of the available space will be left to the discretion of the BT Marketing Manager.

The entity submitting the paid advertisement may appeal, within (10) working days, the BT Marketing Manager's decision on the acceptability of any paid advertisement to the BT Director.  The BT Director will have (10) working days to review and respond to any appeals.  The entity submitting the paid advertisement may then appeal in writing, within (10) working days, the BT Director's decision on the acceptability of any paid advertisement to the Town Manager.  The Town Manager will review written appeals within 30 working days.

PRICING

BT will maintain advertising opportunities on its website with current pricing.  BT, with prior approval from the Town Manager, reserves the right to adjust pricing for advertising properties and sponsorship programs at anytime.  Recapped below are discounts and special pricing available as a matter of general policy.

1. The Town and BT may purchase or lease any advertising product for the cost of production, installation and removal.
2. Due to the contractual agreement between Blacksburg Transit and Virginia Tech, Virginia Tech Departments and Organizations, as listed in the most recent Virginia Tech University Directory, and officially registered Virginia Tech Student Organizations, as listed on the UUSA (University Unions and Student Organization) web site viewable at Student Unions Alpha List, may lease interior advertising space at 50% of the advertised rates.  These advertisements must follow all Blacksburg Transit guidelines for advertising. This discounted rate does not apply to any other advertised properties or sponsorship programs Blacksburg Transit has or may make available.

CONTRACTUAL ELEMENTS AND PAYMENT

A commitment to purchase or lease advertising products or sponsorship programs is not considered final until an executed contract and full payment for same is received by BT.  No advertising will be placed or sponsorship considered "sold" until an executed contract and full payment for same is received by BT.

"First Right of Refusal" is available for specific advertising products and sponsorship programs.  Please refer to the specific advertising product or sponsorship program in our rate brochure.

"Category Exclusivity" is available for specific advertising products and sponsorship programs.  Please refer to the specific advertising product or sponsorship program in our rate brochure.  The determination of what constitutes a specific category will be determined by BT.

Blacksburg Transit is unable to guarantee lease advertising space on specific routes.

BASE ADVERTISING PRODUCTS AND SPONSORSHIP PROGRAMS

Appendix (A) lists the advertising products and sponsorship programs available at BT with their base rates. For full rates and applicable discounts please review the specific products and sponsorship programs on this site or in our printed materials.

APPENDIX A

PRODUCT OR PROGRAM	PERIOD	BASE COST (Peak)	BASE COST (Off Peak)
Interior Bus Cards	Monthly	$400.00 / Month	N/A
Exterior AD - Curbside	Monthly	$210.00 / Month	$105.00 / Month
Exterior AD - Driveside	Monthly	$230.00 / Month	$115.00 / Month
Exterior AD - Rear	Monthly	$210.00 / Month	$105.00 / Month
Bus Wrap	Yearly	$8500 / Year	N/A
Schedule Book - Back	By Semester	$500.00 / Ad	N/A
Orientation - Anchor	Program Period	$1500.00 For Event	N/A
Orientation - Supporter	Program Period	$700.00 For Event	N/A