ABC Catches 10,000 Cabs

Creative Mobile Technologies, a provider of in-vehicle technology solutions, and its media subsidiary, Creative Mobile Media, have signed an exclusive deal with ABC National Television Sales to provide premium content and advertising through ABC’s stations and sales forces in major U.S. media markets, including its flagship station, WABC New York, where CMT’s equipment is installed in some 6,600 yellow medallion taxis.  CMT and CMM together have nearly 10,000 fully interactive media screens.  The deal will become effective Jan. 1, 2012.

WABC has already built a strong content presence in New York City taxicabs and now looks to further strengthen that presence.  The deal with CMT/CMM will allow ABC to broaden its content and advertising reach in almost 10,000 taxicabs across the country, with thousands of additional taxicabs expected in 2012, the companies said.

“ABC’s exclusive new pact with Creative Mobile Technologies and Creative Mobile Media significantly expands the growth opportunities ahead for our taxi TV programming and advertising business,” said Dave Davis, president-GM of WABC. “This new combination of CMT’s superior technology and the market-leading content from ABC stations promises a better passenger experience in taxis in New York and other cities.”

John Watkins, President of ABC National Television Sales, added: “This new relationship with CMT and CMM reflects our companies’ shared commitment to take programming and advertising to the next level in the fast-growing taxi TV segment. We look forward to working closely with CMT and CMM to further enhance the value of this important out-of-home market for both riders and advertisers.”  

The partnership will result in the following on Jan. 1:

• 6,600 CMT taxicabs in New York City will begin running ABC local and national content, which features local news and weather updated four times a day as well as “news you can use” features that all run within a “rotation loop” shortly after the passenger enters the taxi.
• Over 3,000 additional CMT taxicabs in Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, Anaheim, Kansas City, Denver, Columbus, and Charlotte, will begin delivering ABC content and advertising.
• It will lay the groundwork for additional expansion into new markets by CMT/CMM and ABC in the coming months.