The Fading of Advertising

Lenore Skenay, of Ad Age, introduces us to Ben Passikoff, a 17 year-old high school student, and his recently published book, THE WRITING ON THE WALL. Ben has captured the fading remains of advertising’s past with his coffee table book of photos and stories from New York’s vintage painted building billboards.

(FYI ... Ben’s book started out as a high-school project but has ended up as a glossy coffee table book.)

There’s something ultra-cool and ultra-authentic about these fading painted billboard ads. As Lenore puts it … “The lesson one gleans, however reluctantly, is that whatever seems absolutely immutable, isn't. Not what is advertised. Not how it is advertised.”

Ben’s photos clearly tell us that old advertising doesn’t die … it just fades away.

Comments

[Lewis Green]

John,

I remember the days when advertising on buildings was a huge hit. Maybe I'm fading away, as well. Thanks for sharing.

[armand rousso]

I would say it's very urban insider this advertising on wall, otherwhise trendy or not ? hard to say for now... Armand Rousso

[Paul (from Idea Sandbox)]

Great project... I'll buy the book. It's always interesting to see these old ads for industries that no longer exists (in the mainstream): soda fountains, hat shops, saloons, ...

Check out these Flickr groups to see some images now...

"Ghost Signs" - www.flickr.com/groups/10285999@N00/
"Forgotten Wall Ads" - www.flickr.com/groups/79594476@N00/
"Faded Signgae" - www.flickr.com/groups/fadedsignage/

[Brandorama]

I will have to buy this book it sounds interesting. This would be a great opportunity for a company/brand to use the faded advertisements in a marketing campaign. Maybe a new brand could adopt the old fashioned, faded look to create buzz and interest.

Watch this space!

[Frank Jump]

Will buy this book. Check out my blog and website. Ten years and strong.