TransLink Appoints New OOH Advertising Partner: What It Means for Real Estate Marketing in Metro Vancouver

TransLink has recently announced a significant shift in its out-of-home (OOH) advertising strategy: Pattison Outdoor Advertising has been selected as its new exclusive advertising partner, replacing the long-time contractor, Lamar Advertising.

This change marks more than just a supplier transition—it signals a new era of digital transformation across Metro Vancouver’s public transit ad space. For real estate developers and marketers, it presents an opportunity to rethink exposure strategies and capitalize on renewed inventory and infrastructure.

🔍 A Quick Look: Why the Switch?

The foreign buyer ban was first introduced in 2022 under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, prohibiting non-Canadians from purchasing residential real estate. Initially set to expire on January 1, 2025, the policy was extended in February 2024 to January 1, 2027.

Unlike similar measures in other countries, Canada’s ban is more restrictive — not only prohibiting foreign ownership of existing homes but also extending to new builds and pre-sale properties.

🏙 Why OOH Still Matters in Real Estate

In an increasingly competitive pre-sale market, visibility is everything. OOH offers real-world impact that digital ads often can’t match—delivering high-frequency, high-credibility exposure within core urban zones.

At Nebula Marketing, we’ve consistently observed OOH media playing a vital role across three key phases of a project’s marketing cycle:

1. Pre-Launch Awareness

Before registration begins, SkyTrain ads, bus wraps, and platform posters help shape first impressions—paving the way for future digital conversions.

2. Local Area Saturation

Hyper-targeted media around Brentwood, Oakridge, or Metrotown can effectively build “neighbourhood ownership” and sharpen project recall among everyday commuters and local buyers.

3. Brand Elevation

For many Vancouver developers, OOH is as much about brand building as it is about selling units. Strategic placements signal permanence, credibility, and scale.

🎯 Industry Insight: Why Now Is the Time to Plan

With Pattison now taking over Metro Vancouver’s full public transit OOH portfolio—including SkyTrain, SeaBus, buses, and West Coast Express—the next few quarters will likely bring new inventory rotations, enhanced capabilities, and greater creative flexibility.

From dynamic QR codes to time-triggered content and campaign A/B testing, digital OOH now enables much more agile, data-informed real estate marketing. Projects planning to launch in 2025 and beyond should consider budgeting early for transit-based OOH as a key channel.

💡 Nebula Marketing’s Take

At Nebula Marketing, we specialize in crafting strategic, localized media plans for real estate brands across Greater Vancouver. We believe this industry shift is:

✅ A sign of renewed opportunity in a maturing media landscape
✅ A reminder of the power of place-based marketing for high-consideration purchases like real estate
✅ A chance for developers to refresh their brand storytelling in highly visible, high-footfall environments

📞 Want to Talk OOH Strategy?

We’re already working with clients to secure 2025 placements and maximize exposure during critical pre-sale windows. If you’re launching a new project or refreshing your brand presence, now’s the perfect time to explore what’s possible with transit-based OOH.

Contact Nebula Marketing today to start planning your next campaign.

At Nebula, we’re helping developers and marketers navigate this shift with smarter strategies, sharper storytelling, and measurable execution.