Outfront Media

Neighborhoods across the City were angry about the proliferation of outdoor signs due to the dramatic increase in advertising budgets and new sign technologies that facilitate the erection of lightweight nylon signs on building facades. Our client, Outfront Media, has a longstanding corporate policy of strictly adhering to the zoning resolution in siting its outdoor signs. Renegade sign companies, unfortunately, many times disregard zoning law and erect illegal signs to the consternation of local communities.

In order to resolve this matter, Capalino concluded that a major legislative initiative from the Mayor and City Council was needed. Capalino advised the client to begin a proactive effort to educate City officials on the economics of the outdoor sign industry and to press for statutory changes directed at the real source of the problem—renegade sign companies.

Capalino mounted a targeted lobbying and education effort in order to change New York City Municipal Code. After negotiations between the Mayor’s Office and the New York City Council, the “Regulation of Outdoor Advertising” legislation (Intro 423-A) was signed into law by Mayor Bloomberg on April 28, 2005.