The Ricoh Eco-Board is Times Square’s only 100 percent solar-powered billboard. Since it was officially revealed in June 2010, its purpose has been not to just deliver a message, but to be the message … one of eco-friendliness and sustainability. Now, the Ricoh Eco-Board is using the energy it generates to shed light on a very important subject: rebuilding Japan after the devastating earthquake and tsunami.

 

We think our readers will be intrigued by a story about how Ricoh is using its Eco-Board to selflessly raise money for Japan and its people during this great time of need.

It’s difficult to miss the 47’ high by 126’ long Ricoh Eco-Board, located at 7th Avenue and 42nd Street. Its 62 solar panels and 24 thin films on both sides alone are impressive. But what’s even harder to ignore is a prominent 11’ x 11’ QR code now present on the new signage. The code, when photographed with a Smartphone, will take Times Square visitors directly to a website where they can make a donation to the American Red Cross to aid relief efforts in Japan.

The QR code along with a message carrying the phrase “Ganbare, Nippon” meaning “Never give up, Japan,” has been present on the Eco-Board since April 8th. Through ricoh-usa.com website and the Eco-Board, Ricoh has raised more than $50,000.00 to date. March 11, 2011, will forever live on as day that forever changed Japan. Rather than sit idly by, Ricoh joined the relief efforts and found a great way to get others involved in response to the tragic events. Taking valuable advertising real estate and turning the message to that of helping others is something we think readers will find inspiring.