Scout Out The Changing World: Part 1

In a world where change is constant, having up-to-date, accurate information is crucial for staying ahead. This is where Scout, our next-gen self-service location monitoring tool, steps in.

There are several reasons people would want a boots-on-the-ground view of a street address, city block or stretch of road. But up until now, the options have been a) rely on several year-old images from Google Street View or b) physically go to the locations in question.

In the following blog series, we’ll unpack how you can use Hivemapper Scout for consistent location monitoring in an intuitive interface. Save gas and time by leveraging our network of drivers to get a remote view of any location. Not mapped yet? Use the Burst self-service to alert drivers and set priority requests. 

Ad agencies need to move at the break-neck speed of now, delivering campaigns that are eye catching, alluring and relevant. However, capturing the zeitgeist of the moment is often easier said than done. Memes change, attention is fleeting, and cultural shifts are ever present on billboards spattered across urban landscapes. 

Knowledge is power. And for advertisers, knowing what eye catching ads control the media narrative is crucial. With Scout, billboard barons across the globe can monitor corridors of the most prominent advertisements. 

So, you want to buy ad space? Well, if you’re stumbling around Google Street View for the perfect spot, you may be doing yourself a disservice.

Here is our snapshot of a prominent billboard hotspot outside Penn Plaza in NYC. Note that Hivemapper captured its latest imagery only 5 days ago. 

And here is the latest street view from Google Street View, which was captured in Aug 2022.

Note how dramatically the cityscape changed in a short time. Hotel Pennsylvania, which once stood tall across from Madison Square Garden is no longer present, and the noisy renovations that once clogged the facade of Penn Plaza have since been replaced with prominent ad space. 

The transformation around Madison Square Garden highlights how cityscapes can evolve in a short period, impacting the effectiveness of advertising strategies. As construction projects modify the urban environment, advertisers must be agile in their approach, reassessing billboard placements and updating creative elements to maintain their effectiveness.  

Of additional note are the timely themes captured by Hivemapper vs. Google.

The ads captured by Hivemapper around Madison Square Garden have notably centered on the Paris Olympics with billboards like Delta Airlines proclaiming “All Paths Lead to Paris.” It’s a highly pertinent trend to note considering that the Olympics are well underway and the focus of international attention. This is not just an ad placement; it’s a strategic engagement with the audience at the right place and the right time.

Want to be the first to know about the latest trends and cityscape changes? Contact [email protected] to see how we can support your business needs!