What is an Ad Van / Digivan? A Complete Guide

A Complete Guide to Digital Vans for Outdoor Advertising

When you’re looking for a creative and impactful way to advertise your brand, event, or promotion, traditional static ads might not cut it anymore. This is where ad vans—specifically digital advertising vans or “digivans”—come into play. But what exactly is an ad van? How can it help your business stand out in a competitive market? Let’s break it down and explore why booking an ad van with Blue Sky Advertising could be your next smart move.

Defining an Ad Van

An ad van is a mobile billboard, usually mounted on a van or truck, that features high-resolution LED screens. These screens are used to display digital advertisements, including videos, images, and text, while driving through selected routes or parking in strategic locations. Ad vans are versatile, highly visible, and offer a dynamic way to promote a business, product, event, or service.

These vans are sometimes called digital vans or digivans because they use digital technology to showcase vibrant and engaging content. This is different from traditional vans that use static billboards or printed ads. With digital ad vans, you have the flexibility to run multiple ads, change messages throughout the day, and even tailor content to different locations.

Why Use Ad Vans?

Ad vans are effective because they bring your brand to your audience, rather than waiting for people to stumble upon your advertisement. They offer high flexibility, creativity, and direct engagement. Here’s why they’re an excellent choice for outdoor advertising:

  1. Mobile and Versatile
    Unlike static billboards or posters, ad vans can move to where your audience is. Whether it’s a busy high street, a major sporting event, or a music festival, you can target locations with the highest footfall. This mobility gives your brand more exposure and better chances of engaging your target market.
  2. High Impact Visuals
    With LED screens, ad vans deliver bright and clear visuals that attract attention. These screens can play videos, slideshows, animations, and interactive content that make your ad more dynamic and engaging. You’re not limited to just one ad—rotate through different visuals to keep your message fresh and attention-grabbing.
  3. Real-Time Flexibility
    Digital ad vans offer the ability to change ads in real-time. Imagine driving through a different neighbourhood and wanting to show a tailored ad to that specific demographic. No problem! You can update content on the go. This flexibility is perfect for seasonal campaigns, last-minute changes, or time-sensitive promotions.
  4. Affordable and Cost-Effective
    For the level of exposure they provide, ad vans are surprisingly cost-effective. You pay for the van and its services, but your ad gets mobile visibility throughout the day, covering multiple high-traffic locations. This offers a significant advantage over traditional advertising methods like TV or print, which require separate costs for each placement.
  5. Great for Events and Launches
    If you’re planning a product launch, a grand opening, or a major event, an ad van can serve as the perfect promotional tool. Position the van at strategic locations where your audience is likely to gather, and let the vibrant visuals create excitement and awareness.

How Do Ad Vans Work?

At Blue Sky Advertising, our digital ad vans are designed to be easy to operate and highly efficient. When you book an ad van with us, we handle all the details so you can focus on your campaign.

Here’s how it works:

  1. Choose Your Locations
    First, we’ll work with you to plan the route or locations where the ad van will be most effective. You can pick areas with high foot traffic, specific neighbourhoods where your target audience lives, or events that draw large crowds.
  2. Create Your Content
    Next, you’ll design your digital ad content. This could include promotional videos, text slides, or images—whatever works best for your campaign. If you need assistance creating engaging visuals, we’re here to help with content development.
  3. Deploy the Van
    Once your content is ready, the van will hit the road. Our ad vans are equipped with bright LED screens that showcase your content in stunning quality, whether it’s day or night. The screens are positioned on all sides of the van, ensuring maximum visibility wherever the van goes.
  4. Real-Time Updates
    As your campaign progresses, you have the option to update or change your ad content based on performance, time of day, or location. This flexibility means you can respond quickly to new opportunities or challenges.

The Benefits of Digital Ad Vans for Christmas Campaigns

As the festive season approaches, businesses are always looking for fresh ways to capture the attention of holiday shoppers. Digital ad vans are ideal for promoting Christmas sales, events, and offers. The mobility and high-impact visuals make them perfect for reaching shoppers in busy city centres, high streets, and Christmas markets. Here’s how they can elevate your Christmas campaign:

  1. Seasonal Messaging
    Use the digital flexibility of an ad van to display festive messages and showcase your seasonal offers. You can highlight different promotions throughout the day, reaching the right audience at the right time. Imagine the van cruising through a packed Christmas market, displaying eye-catching visuals that direct people straight to your store or website.
  2. Boost Event Awareness
    If you’re hosting a Christmas event, an ad van is a great way to promote it. Whether it’s a festive pop-up shop, a Christmas light switch-on, or a winter festival, the van can generate excitement and increase attendance by driving awareness wherever it goes.
  3. Capture Holiday Shoppers
    Christmas is one of the busiest shopping times of the year, and ad vans allow you to position your brand directly in front of holiday shoppers. Whether you’re promoting gift ideas, special discounts, or in-store promotions, the bright LED screens ensure your ad cuts through the noise.

What’s the Difference Between Ad Vans and Traditional Billboards?

While traditional billboards can be effective, they don’t offer the same flexibility and engagement that ad vans do. With a traditional billboard, your message stays in one spot and has to compete with other static advertisements. It’s also harder to measure performance in real-time or make changes on the go.

With ad vans, you have complete control. You decide where your ad is seen and can update the content anytime, ensuring your message stays relevant and fresh. Plus, the LED screens used in ad vans provide a visual impact that static billboards simply can’t match. Moving visuals, bright colours, and engaging content make it more likely that your audience will notice—and remember—your ad.

Booking an Ad Van with Blue Sky Advertising

When you’re ready to take your advertising to the next level, booking an ad van with Blue Sky Advertising is quick and easy. We offer a fleet of modern digital vans that are available to travel across the UK, helping your brand reach the audience it deserves.

Simply get in touch with our team to discuss your campaign goals, and we’ll help you create a tailored plan that maximizes your brand’s visibility. Whether you need a van for a single day or want to run a longer campaign, we have options that fit your needs.


Ready to Book an Ad Van?

Take your outdoor advertising to new heights with a Blue Sky digital ad van. Reach your audience where they are, create engaging content, and enjoy the flexibility of mobile advertising. Contact us today to get started!