Tourists visiting São Paulo, Brazil might feel that something is missing. One reason could be that the world’s fourth-largest metropolis passed the Clean City Law in 2006, which outlawed all outdoor advertising, including billboards, storefronts, and public transit ads.

The law was proposed by former Mayor Gilberto Kassab, who felt that the city’s character and architecture were obscured by ads. Immediately after taking effect, the Clean City law forced businesses to take down over 15,000 billboards and 300,000 signs, transforming São Paulo in more ways than one. In other words, São Paulo was a victim of ad blocking.

Similar to the wave of anxiety that is sweeping the online advertising industry as the usage of ad blockers rises, local businesses in São Paulo were outraged. Advertisers were worried about the loss of funds, jobs, and even urban scenery. Despite the initial panic, the advertising industry in Brazil continues to thrive, and some local businesses were even thankful for the ban’s positive influence, forcing them to be more creative and agile. READ MORE at: Original Article: www.skyword.com