While many businesses have struggled in the midst of COVID-19, Runningboards Marketing has been expanding. The digital mobile billboard franchise has accomplished a feat not many emerging brands have been able to do in the middle of a pandemic – secure its first two franchise deals.
While many businesses have struggled in the midst of COVID-19, Runningboards Marketing has been expanding. The digital mobile billboard franchise has accomplished a feat not many emerging brands have been able to do in the middle of a pandemic – secure its first two franchise deals.
“The fact that we signed two new and enthusiastic owners in the middle of the pandemic really speaks to our business model and is a great way to kick off our franchising efforts,” said Calvin McNeely, CEO of the Watertown, New York-based company. Runningboards Marketing was founded in 2018 by McNeely and Zach Yelle, who serves as the company’s EVP.
The brand stands out as a franchise opportunity in the mobile-advertising segment, thanks to its use of digital advertising vehicle DAV® (pronounced “Dave”), which has three high-impact LED screens that display brand messaging and customizable graphics. Businesses hire DAV to drive around markets in order to target specific audiences. DAV is hard to miss, which is exactly what makes “him” so much fun, according to McNeely.
With DAV’s ability to run a variety of ads, Runningboards Marketing has been deemed an essential business during COVID-19. As long as DAV ran health-related ads, Runningboards Marketing was permitted to continue business as usual. It made sense that its growth also continued.
“Right now, starting a business, owning a company or even being employed is scary,” said Mark Federico, franchise owner of the new Marlborough, Massachusetts, franchise. “When businesses start to reopen, a lot of them are going to fail, but many are also going to be looking to grow. These businesses will spend money on marketing because they have to acquire new customers. DAV has the ability to really help small businesses survive, prosper and grow as we get out of COVID-19.”
Ian Brown and Jesus Espinoza, partners in the new Paducah, Kentucky, franchise location, were attracted to the brand’s low-cost model that does not require a brick-and-mortar location. “All we need is DAV,” Espinoza said. “If we want to, we can keep the staff down to just the two of us until we really start expanding. Most of the overhead is just fuel for DAV.”
By offering a low-cost business model and a can’t-miss digital-advertising opportunity, Runningboards Marketing proves why it remains a lucrative franchise in any economic climate.
For more information about franchising opportunities with Runningboards Marketing, visit rbm-franchise.com.