“Our first electronic gateway feature went up on route 35 two years ago,” Keyes Jr. said. “There has been a real hunger from local advertisers to use this type of advertising. It’s just a more timely and nimble form of media.”
Keyes said electronic advertising is lower cost, and is advantageous to clients who like to change their messages frequently.
“Another thing that is unique about what we’re doing is that we are donating 150 free spots to the city of Dayton every day,” Keyes said. “This will also be true for the city of Moraine. This will allow them to promote community events and programming.”
The boards also are tied into the Amber Alert System, according to Keyes. “Anytime there is an Amber Alert in the state, we interrupt our advertising and post it on the highway system,” he said.
The Key-ads Gateway boards stand out among other digital boards because of their shape. “It’s a format that’s called ‘digital spectacular,’ ” Keyes said. “And it’s a format that’s designed to be different.”
Keyes has been working in the family business since he was in the seventh grade, and said he started out as a part time worker but has grown to “love it.”
“I’ve learned that what customers want over the years doesn’t necessarily change, but how we achieve that definitely has,” he said. “There are still clients who want the traditional type of boards and others who want to switch their advertising more frequently. They might need the electronic boards.”
And since the company has been a part of the Dayton community for so many years, Keyes and his family feel a true devotion to the businesses and communities they call home.
“It’s what separates our company from the pack,” Keyes said. “We are dedicated to the clients we serve and the communities in which we operate. The city of Moraine has been great to work with on this project and we look forward to our partnership throughout the year.”
Contact this writer at (937) 475-8212 or banspach@ymail.com.