Lucknow OOH industry facing brunt of civic body action, business in a tizzy

Lucknow’s OOH industry is in the throes of a big crisis with the Nagar Nigam deciding to pull down the outdoor advertising media in the city, almost indiscriminately, putting at risk the business of those owing legal media. Apart from the large formats the Lucknow Nagar Nigam has apparently trained attention on bus shelters as well. Media owners in the city assert that the municipal body has not given out adequate reasons for swooping down on the media. Nonetheless, there are some 250 unipoles and pole kiosks in the city that will remain intact until their contract duration ends.

 “After GST has been implemented, the advertising tax was junked and the Nagar Nigam isn’t earning any hefty revenues. Hence, they are taking such severe steps against the media as they don’t see any value in it,” a media owner assumes. There is an expectation that once the entire media is off from the city, the Nagar Nigam will take a fresh look at formulating an outdoor advertising policy.

The local media owner’s association has taken the matter to the court and also approached IOAA to seek help in this matter. IOAA is contemplating on how to resolve the issue to the benefit of the industry.

Also, a meeting was organised yesterday where UP’s media owners came forward to discuss the crisis. It is also learnt from the market that after Lucknow, similar steps will be taken in several other markets of UP.

Transit media that includes Metro media and media on local transport buses will be untouched.