News

Watchfire Digital Outdoor hits century mark

October 18, 2010

Watchfire Digital Outdoor has hit the century mark for digital billboard customers.

The company says it has become the industry's first digital billboard manufacturer to surpass 100 customers with the installation of nine digital billboards in Grand Rapids, Mich.

GR Outdoor has installed the nine 19mm boards on all major highways feeding into Grand Rapids — M-6, US-131 and US-196 — and in front of the city's Fifth Third Ballpark, home to year-round events including minor league baseball, outdoor concerts, festivals and tournaments.

"We are happy to welcome GR Outdoor as our 100th digital billboard customer, something no other digital billboard manufacturer can claim," said Darrin Friskney, director of Watchfire Digital Outdoor.

GR Outdoor President Randy Disselkoen received a plaque commemorating Watchfire's 100th digital billboard customer.

GR Outdoor currently has 16 of the 20 digital billboards located in the Grand Rapids market. Disselkoen installed his first digital billboards a year ago, and then turned to Watchfire for his second investment because the Watchfire boards display a sharper and more vivid image.

"I give Watchfire an A+; they have been terrific to deal with," Disselkoen said in the announcement. "They busted their tail on delivery and ensured installation went off without a hitch. Advertisers love the billboards because they have better resolution and a sharper image."

The GR Outdoor boards are networked to provide advertisers coverage over the entire Grand Rapids metropolitan area, which has a population of approximately 778,000. Advertisers include car dealerships, restaurants, equipment dealers, hair salons, a sporting goods store and a furniture store. A local radio station uses RSS feeds to display updates on music and news.

Disselkoen says the boards already are one-third leased and he expects full capacity shortly.