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Your Ad Free on TodayJust Bring a Sign

Well-placed posters benefit from nearly 5M viewers

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 2, 2009 10:32 AM CST

(Newser) – It costs $50,000 to get a 30-second ad spot on NBC’s Today, but advertisers needn’t pay to get their messages out if they’re willing to brave the weather, Advertising Age reports. All they have to do is stand in the Rockefeller Center Plaza with a sign and wait for the anchors to emerge; with luck, the sign will make it on camera.

Today gets nearly 5 million viewers early in the 8am hour, and “we always welcome all fans and visitors … with or without signs,” said a spokeswoman. One man often sets up an ad behind the anchors for a legal financing company. “We get calls all the time: ‘How did you get that space?’” says a firm rep.

People flash signs behind Today anchors.
People flash signs behind "Today" anchors.   (AP Photo)
Protesters and advertisers alike can get their message out, for free, on NBC's Today show if they're willing to stand outside at New York's Rockefeller Center.
Protesters and advertisers alike can get their message out, for free, on NBC's "Today" show if they're willing to stand outside at New York's Rockefeller Center.   (AP Photo)
Matt Lauer, co-host of the NBC Today show, throws a football while taping a promotional announcement for his network's NFL broadcasts in New York's Rockefeller Center.
Matt Lauer, co-host of the NBC "Today" show, throws a football while taping a promotional announcement for his network's NFL broadcasts in New York's Rockefeller Center.   (AP Photo)
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