Winter in South Africa is traditionally a softer period for outdoor advertising, which means media owners are more willing to deal. This year is no different. We are seeing discounts ranging from 30% to 70% on prime ad spaces across several formats and geographies. Here is a selection of what is currently available.
Walk Your Ad Across Johannesburg
One of the standout deals available right now is a roadside billboard rotation programme across Johannesburg and Soweto. The format is a 7.5m x 5m portrait roadside billboard, fully illuminated for 24-hour exposure. Positions are located on main arterials and highways throughout greater Johannesburg and Soweto, offering strong reach and market penetration across the city's primary commuter and residential routes.
The rotation model works as follows: your ad moves from one site to the next every two weeks. You cherry-pick the sites from the available inventory, giving you control over geographic spread while keeping the campaign cost well below what a standard multi-site buy would cost. The current rate on this package includes a 30% discount off standard rate card. Given the positions available, this represents exceptional value for a Gauteng-focused campaign.
Premium Positions at Deep Discounts
Beyond the Johannesburg rotation programme, we have access to several other winter special packages at discounts in the 40% to 70% range. Formats include:
- Large-format roadside bulletins on secondary metro routes in Cape Town and Durban.
- Shopping centre panels in food courts and atriums across several Gauteng malls.
- Street pole posters in targeted residential suburbs in Johannesburg north.
- Digital screen time in high-traffic Cape Town nodes, available in two-week slots.
Availability on all of these is limited and subject to change. We are providing these details to clients who have expressed interest in cost-effective OOH options, and we recommend getting in touch quickly if any of the formats above are relevant to your planning for the third quarter.
Why Winter OOH Can Outperform Summer
There is a reasonable argument that winter is actually a stronger time to be on billboards for certain categories. Traffic patterns in South Africa's major metros remain consistent year-round. Office commutes happen in winter just as they do in summer. Retail foot traffic through anchor stores continues. The difference is that your ad faces less competition from summer-heavy advertisers, and the discounts available mean your media budget goes significantly further.
"The best outdoor media buys are often made in winter, when the inventory is available, the owners are willing to negotiate, and the audience is still there."
For clients planning launches, promotions, or awareness campaigns in the next 8 to 12 weeks, a winter buy makes strong strategic and financial sense. Talk to us about what is available in your target geography and we will put together a costed plan.
Getting Started
All of the deals described above require a brief so we can match the right format to your audience and objectives. Please contact us with your target market, geographic preference, campaign window, and budget indication. We will respond with available options and a preliminary cost plan within 48 hours.