When filling up their vehicles with gasoline, customers at Alexander’s Auto Wash and Detailing Center will find television screens at every pump.
The screens, which were installed in mid-April to the Mobil gas station, are provided by Gas Station Television (GSTV).
The new feature allows customers to view the news, weather, sports and a listing of concerts, shows and events in the Detroit Metropolitan area.
This is the first location in Michigan to offer this service. GSTV, located in Oak Park, was looking for a test site close to home and approached the station.
‘Detroit is the automotive capital of the world and one of the best places for advertisers to reach mobile consumers,? said David Leider, GSTV CEO.
Other test sites include Atlanta, Houston and Dallas.
A four-and-a-half minute loop features news and weather from ABC, with ESPN providing sports. There are also national commercials for various companies and movies.
Mike Ceritano, president and general manager of Alexander’s, has four promotional spots, eight to 10 seconds long, that are included in the loop.
According to Ceritano, the promotional spots helps let customers know about different discounts and Customer Appreciation Day.
The gas station can change the promotional ads every month.
The price of this new product ‘doesn’t cost the customer anything,? said Ceritano.
The newly added screens do not affect the price of gasoline.
Feedback from customers has been very positive, with only a couple of individuals disagreeing.
Customers are not the only ones with their eyes on the screens.
‘When I fill up I catch myself staring up at the TV,? said Ceritano.
With over 1,000 screens already in use, Lake Orion is one of the beginning steps for GSTV’s plans on having more than 6,000 screens in the nation’s top 10 markets by the end of 2007.
In addition to being a Mobil gas station, Alexander’s is a full service automotive appearance center, offering washes and detailing services.
Alexander’s Auto Wash is located at 720 S. Lapeer Road, south of Clarkston Road.