Walgreens to erect largest sign in Times Square, use just 12 million LEDs

You know that impossible-to-miss NASDAQ sign on Broadway at 43rd Street in New York City? Yeah, the one that's 11,000-square feet in size. The Walgreen Company has set out to make that look like child's play, as it aims to erect a 250,000-pound sign at a three-level emporium in Times Square. Said display will reportedly be used to "raise [the drugstore's] visibility in New York," while doubling as a "focal point for it nationally." This beast will be covered in 12 million LEDs -- 17,000 square feet of them, to be exact -- and you can only imagine the hardware that will be required behind the scenes to keep this thing up and running. If you just can't wait until next fall to peep this in person, head southward to the read link and dig in.

[Thanks, Brock]

[kyle1193 @ Jun 5th 2008 1:08AM]

what a amazing sign a red line on a white background

[vdogg89 @ Jun 5th 2008 6:03AM]

seriously. a ginourmous sign, and they ruin it with a giant red line on a white background.

[Ryan @ Jun 5th 2008 1:10AM]

What is their dead pixel return policy?

[Twitchy @ Jun 5th 2008 2:16AM]

In a perfect world, there are no dead pixels...

[Austin @ Jun 5th 2008 1:11AM]

I never saw the appeal in these big signs. Are they really going to get someone to impulse-buy 80 dollar tickets to "Hairspray"? or in this case, refill a perscription or buy a crappy knockoff toy because you were running late to 6-year-old's birthday party?

[Bloobie @ Jun 5th 2008 1:16AM]

Have you ever stood in Times Square for longer than 15 seconds? It's full of camera-toting tourists, so yes, they will go and spend $80 to see Hairspray upon seeing a billboard. :P

[Khan Kaan @ Jun 5th 2008 4:46AM]

RAAAAAARGH ! Heaanrnh !
Must ... play ... CRYSIS ... on that ... thing.

[r3loaded @ Jun 5th 2008 7:14AM]

It'd be so cool if someone did hack into it....

"Fellow people of Times Square, I am your new overlord! Kneel before me!"

etc.

[idobleedblue @ Jun 5th 2008 1:42AM]

Red on White? not when that thing can do a trillion colors. 12 million LEDs in a 17,000 sq foot sign. That thing is freaking HUGE! I can't wait to see the ball drop on that building this new years! This one is built by the same company (D3 LED) that just re-built the ABC SuperSign in Times Square. They are also responsible for the Recruiting Center sign, the M&Ms World sign(s) (both in Times Square), and the Ripleys Believe It Or Not sign just outside of Times Square.

[Darkroom @ Jun 5th 2008 1:44AM]

the very first thing i think of when i'm in the international cosmopolitan capitol is WALGREENS. is there even a walgreens anywhere remotely close to times square?

stupid advertisers...

[George @ Jun 5th 2008 1:56AM]

*points to the Walgreen's store under the gigantic sign

[tekdemon @ Jun 6th 2008 7:27AM]

Well, obviously they've just opened a flagship store in Times Square.
Anyways, while I agree that Walgreen's profile in NYC is actually very minimal, since NYC is more or less ruled by Duane Reade, it's pretty obvious that Walgreens has opened a flagship more for the tourists that'll go to Times Square, and for the free advertising whenever any movie or TV show or whatever shows Times Square in the background.
There are Walgreen's stores in NYC but most of them are outside of manhattan, where there are approximately 3 duane reades per city block (along with 5 starbucks, and 2 Chase banks).

[Patrick @ Jun 5th 2008 2:26AM]

I work for Walgreens Corp, specifically in the Pharmacy as a technician while going to school. They keep cutting our budget every 3 months while sales increase and work loads increase. However they can formulate their budget to have a giant sign that no body cares about? I gotta say after Mr. Walgreens Jr. died the company has gone to shit.

[Dave @ Jul 27th 2008 3:33PM]

It's unfortunate you feel that way... sales in both Rx and SS are significantly down in my market - and we too have had drastic budget cuts. Since you don't like the company, you should consider seeking new employment. Oh wait, that's right, Walgreens is still one of the best employers among its major competitors and average wages are also significantly better too. In short, stop your whining!

[EMaster @ Jun 5th 2008 4:11AM]

That picture makes me want a Pisswasser right now!!!

[Jaque-o @ Jun 5th 2008 4:59AM]

*looks at his big ass 20" Monitor*

- Sighs -


This cruel world is so unfair sometimes...

[LOLWHUT @ Jun 5th 2008 5:44AM]

hah. erect.

[Kurian @ Jun 5th 2008 6:12AM]

I hope hackers put a picture of a dong on it.

[Max Savin @ Jun 5th 2008 8:03AM]

I know not all of you are gonna take me serious, but only today, after viewing this post for the THIRD time, did I notice the walgreens thing. lolol!

[Rick @ Jun 5th 2008 10:41AM]

Great, just what we need another Walgreens in Manhattan. There are Walgreens, Duane Reades, and CVS's on every street already.

[Obvious @ Jun 5th 2008 12:07PM]

:: In best godlike voice ::
SALE ON FOOT POWDER TODAY!! KNEEL BEFORE ZOD!

//srsly, Walgreens?

[etechshop @ Jun 5th 2008 1:21PM]

I sell these LED billboards in standard and Hi Def if anyone is interested.