Montreal Shuts Down Koodo’s Painted House Advertisement The City of Montreal has cracked down on a novel advertising tactic by the telecommunications company Koodo, ordering a homeowner to remove a mural that had been painted on their property. The colorful artwork, designed in Koodo’s signature branding, adorned the front of the house and featured the company’s logo and promotional messages. However, city officials deemed the mural a violation of zoning regulations. According to Montreal’s rules, buildings cannot display commercial advertisements without a permit. In this case, Koodo had not secured the necessary authorization before commissioning the paint job. The city’s action came after complaints from residents who argued that the mural was intrusive and an eyesore. They expressed concern that allowing such advertisements would set a precedent for other companies to do the same, potentially transforming neighborhoods into a patchwork of commercial signs. Koodo has expressed disappointment with the city’s decision. The company argued that the mural was intended as a unique and impactful way to promote its brand and that it did not believe it conflicted with any regulations. However, the city has remained firm in its stance. Officials have given the homeowner a deadline to remove the mural or face potential fines. The homeowner has stated that they will cooperate with the city’s order but expressed regret that they cannot keep the artwork that had become a talking point in their neighborhood. The case has sparked debate about the boundaries of advertising and the role of local governments in regulating commercial speech. Some have argued that Montreal’s decision is overly restrictive and stifles creativity, while others maintain that it is necessary to protect the character of residential areas. As the dispute continues, it remains to be seen whether Koodo will pursue alternative advertising strategies or if it will challenge the city’s regulations in court.Montreal House Painted in Neon Colors for Koodo Internet Advertisement Violates City RegulationsMontreal House Painted in Neon Colors for Koodo Internet Advertisement Violates City Regulations Montreal city officials have stated that the painting of a 100-year-old house in neon colors to promote the telecommunications company Koodo violated city bylaws. The Toronto-based advertising firm Camp Jefferson transformed the Victorian-style duplex into a giant Koodo advertisement using the company’s signature palette of hot pink, lime green, violet, teal, and orange. The facade also displayed a sign that read, “There is joy under this roof. Koodo Internet.” City spokesman Simon Charron explained that the stunt was unauthorized and violates city planning regulations, which prohibit painting bricks on exterior facades of most buildings. Modifications to heritage buildings also face strict regulations. Additionally, advertising placement in the urban landscape is subject to specific rules. In response, the city plans to send inspectors to issue a violation notice to the homeowner. A spokesperson for Plus Company, which collaborated on the campaign, asserted that they had sought and followed guidance from a city representative before launching the activation. They stated that the house would be restored to its original condition on July 8th, in compliance with city regulations. Real estate listings for the property describe it as a three-story Victorian-style duplex dating back to either 1870 or 1910. Heritage Montreal expressed concerns about the transformation, emphasizing that while creative color choices can enhance aesthetics, they must be balanced with code compliance and considerations for long-term impact on building materials.The City of Montreal has ruled that painting a house to advertise Koodo Mobile is against city regulations. The ruling came after a complaint was filed with the city about a house in the Verdun borough that had been painted entirely blue and white, with the Koodo logo prominently displayed on the front. The city’s zoning bylaws prohibit the use of residential properties for commercial advertising purposes. The homeowner, who has not been identified, has been given 30 days to remove the Koodo logo from the house. If they fail to do so, they could face fines of up to $1,000 per day. Koodo Mobile has said that it was not aware of the city’s zoning bylaws and that it had not authorized the homeowner to paint the house in its colors. The company has said that it will work with the homeowner to find a way to comply with the city’s regulations.