YCDC’s income from billboard advertisements has increased by K200 million this year.

BILLBOARD advertising revenues in 2009 have exceeded last year’s income by more than K200 million, says a Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC) building department official.

Though the number of billboards was unchanged this year, total income was more than K800 million, the official said.

YCDC building department selected advertisers for 80 locations out of 200 by auction.

“The auction for billboards started this year. In major locations on Pyay Road (near Inya Lake), auctions can bring in as much as K51.6 million,” he said.

The bigger billboards, which are leased for three years, range in size from 10 by 33 feet (3 metres by 10 metres) to 20 by 50 feet (6 metres by 15 metres). Following the destruction caused by last year’s Cyclone Nargis, the strength of the billboard is an important consideration.

“We’ve made boards strong enough to withstand a wind velocity of 80 miles per hour (130 kilometres per hour),” the official said.

YCDC has retained temporary boards in two places up to the end of this fiscal year due to advertiser demand. Starting last year, YCDC has held auctions for the private sector for temporary boards for a one-year duration at 10 places across Yangon, including Myaynigone, People’s Park, Hledan, Mya Yeik Nyo Hotel, near Yankin centre, Tarmwe, 8 Mile, Thein Bhyu and Kyeikkasan sporting complex.

“The maximum annual rental of the 9x20 foot temporary boards is K38 million at Myaynigone junction in Sanchaung township. These locations are in great demand because they are in the business district and command good views,” official said.

However, he added that demand for the lease of temporary billboards after Thingyan was poor.

“Peak season is from October to March and at the moment there are only stage show and music advertisements,” he added.

YCDC building department took in K117.9 million in 2008-9 financial year. The department also last year began collecting tax from the Yangon Bus Control Supervisory Committee for mobile advertisements and so far more than K13 million has been collected.

“We’ve charged K15,000 per vehicle since last fiscal year. Up to now, we’ve done 909 vehicles from different bus lines,” said a spokesperson.