Blog
4.8M
Annual passengers (2025)
80+
Daily passenger departures
23
Gates in consolidated Concourse B
#1
Busiest cargo airport in N. America
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Digital ScreensStatic DisplaysBaggage ClaimExperiential
OVERVIEW

Quick Answer: Advertising at MEM in Brief

Airport advertising in Memphis International Airport (MEM) places your brand inside the Mid-South's primary air gateway, owned and operated by the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority (MSCAA).

Indicative rates run from the low four figures per four-week flight for a single diorama up to five figures for spectacular and digital placements. AdQuick lets you compare inventory, see audience and CPM data, and request current availability in one place.

Available formats include backlit dioramas, phone boards, outdoor shelters, large-format spectaculars, and a growing network of digital displays, placed across ticketing, security, the consolidated Concourse B, and baggage claim. Because MEM is an origin-and-destination airport, nearly all passengers begin or end their trip in Memphis, your campaign reaches the actual Mid-South market rather than connecting traffic passing through.

At a Glance Detail
Airport Memphis International Airport (IATA: MEM / ICAO: KMEM)
Location Memphis, TN, ~7 miles southeast of downtown
Operator Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority (MSCAA)
Annual passengers ~4.8 million (2025)
Passenger type Origin & destination, you reach the Mid-South market
Terminal layout Single terminal, consolidated Concourse B (~23 gates)
Daily flights 80+ passenger departures
Core formats Backlit dioramas, phone boards, spectaculars, outdoor shelters, digital displays
Distinction Home of the FedEx Express World Hub, North America's busiest cargo airport
Book through AdQuick, planning, pricing, availability, and reporting

Note on the airport name

MEM is being renamed to honor FedEx founder Frederick W. Smith. The IATA code MEM is unchanged, and "Memphis International Airport" remains in wide use during the transition.

WHY ADVERTISE

Why Advertise at Memphis International Airport?

MEM offers something most airports cannot: a captive, attentive audience that is actually the local market you want to reach. Pair MEM with Memphis billboard advertising for citywide frequency, and the airport becomes the high-value, high-recall anchor of your Mid-South plan. Here is why MEM airport advertising works.

You reach the Mid-South, not a connecting crowd. MEM is an origin-and-destination (O&D) airport, it served roughly 4.9 million record O&D passengers in 2024 and about 4.8 million passengers in 2025. Almost everyone moving through MEM lives in or is visiting the Memphis region, so your media spend reaches genuine local consumers and businesses, not travelers connecting to somewhere else.
A captive audience with real dwell time. Travelers spend extended, low-distraction time in security lines, gate areas, and baggage claim. That uninterrupted window is what makes airport advertising one of the highest-recall channels in out-of-home (OOH).
A logistics and B2B powerhouse. MEM is home to the FedEx Express World Hub and is the busiest cargo airport in North America. The region's economy is built on logistics, distribution, and supply chain, making MEM uniquely valuable for B2B, freight, industrial, financial, and professional-services advertisers.
High-value demographics. Air travelers index well above average for household income and business decision-making, an audience that is costly to reach efficiently through other channels.
A simple terminal that funnels everyone past your ad. With operations consolidated in Concourse B, every departing and arriving passenger flows through the same core spaces, concentrating impressions and making campaigns easy to plan.
A modern, well-regarded environment. MEM has invested heavily in passenger experience, a "Positively MEMorable" service focus, a recent terminal modernization, and recognition as a top family-friendly airport, so your creative sits in a clean, contemporary setting.

Bottom line

Airport advertising in Memphis International Airport reaches the Mid-South market in a captive, high-attention environment, and AdQuick makes that inventory easy to compare, price, and book.

FORMATS & PLACEMENTS

MEM Airport Advertising Formats & Placements

Memphis International Airport advertising spans static and outdoor inventory today, with digital displays expanding across the terminal. Below is a breakdown by format, using the airport's own inventory terminology, plus the zones where each placement performs best.

Backlit Dioramas High-Dwell

Illuminated static panels, the workhorse of MEM advertising inventory. Positioned in high-dwell zones along concourse walkways, near baggage claim, and around ticketing, dioramas deliver dependable, always-on visibility 24/7.

Where it lands: Concourse B walkways, baggage claim, ticketing hall
Strengths: Premium illuminated finish, strong dwell-time exposure, lower entry cost than digital
Best for: Sustained brand presence, regional businesses, tourism, higher-education recruitment

Phone Boards Cost-Efficient

Backlit advertising units historically placed in arrivals and baggage claim areas, a classic place-based advertising environment. They generate steady, repeated exposure in the zones where travelers slow down and wait, a cost-efficient way to maintain visibility throughout a campaign.

Where it lands: Baggage claim, arrivals
Strengths: Affordable entry point, high-frequency exposure
Best for: Always-on local awareness, cost-efficient frequency

Spectaculars & Large-Format Displays Domination

Oversized backlit and large-format units built for brand domination in high-traffic transition zones, the airport equivalent of wallscape advertising. When you want a "you can't miss it" moment, a spectacular owns the space.

Where it lands: Central concourse areas, security approach, baggage claim halls
Strengths: Maximum scale and impact, strong photo and social moments
Best for: Share-of-voice plays, major campaigns, sponsorships, welcome statements

Outdoor Shelters & Exterior Placements Pre-Terminal

Advertising on shelters and structures along the airport's roadways and ground-transportation areas. Exterior placements reach travelers, drivers, pickups, and rideshares before they ever enter the terminal.

Where it lands: Curbside, ground transportation, airport approach areas
Best for: Extending reach beyond the terminal, cost-efficient added frequency

Digital Displays (Coming to MEM) Dynamic

MSCAA has indicated that many MEM advertising locations will convert to digital displays, enabling full-motion creative and the ability to change messaging frequently. Digital is the strongest choice for dynamic creative, dayparting, and flexible multi-advertiser rotations as it rolls out.

Strengths: Motion, scheduling flexibility, no print/production lead time
Best for: Time-sensitive offers, video storytelling, flexible campaigns

Placement Cheat Sheet by Zone

Airport Zone Traveler Mindset Recommended Formats
Ticketing / check-in Arriving, alert, time to browse Backlit dioramas, spectaculars
Security checkpoint approach Stationary, long dwell Spectaculars, backlit dioramas
Concourse B / gate areas Waiting to board, relaxed Backlit dioramas, digital displays
Baggage claim Stationary, repeated exposure Phone boards, backlit dioramas, spectaculars
Arrivals / ground transportation Heading into the city Phone boards, outdoor shelters
Airport roadways / curbside In-vehicle, pre-terminal Outdoor shelters, exterior displays
PRICING DATA

MEM Airport Advertising Rates & Pricing

The biggest unmet need for Memphis airport advertising is rate transparency, there is no public official rate card, and most pages send you straight to "contact for a quote." Below are indicative rate bands to help you budget, benchmarked against comparable mid-size U.S. airports. Final MEM advertising rates depend on format, exact placement, flight length, and seasonality; production and installation are quoted separately.

Format Indicative Rate (per 4-week flight) Notes
Phone boards ~$700 – $2,000 Lowest entry point; cost-efficient frequency
Backlit dioramas (standard) ~$1,500 – $4,000 Priced by zone; high-dwell placements cost more
Double dioramas / large backlit ~$3,000 – $7,000 More surface area for branding
Spectaculars / large-format ~$5,000 – $15,000+ Premium domination placements
Outdoor shelters / exterior ~$1,000 – $3,500 Reaches pre-terminal and curbside traffic
Digital displays (as they roll out) Premium, quote-based Priced per network and rotation

How to read these ranges

Indicative, not a quote. These bands reflect typical pricing at comparable mid-size airports; MEM-specific rates are confirmed by proposal.
Flight length matters. Longer commitments (3, 6, or 12 months) usually lower the effective rate versus a single four-week flight.
Zone matters. Baggage claim, security approach, and primary Concourse B walkways carry premiums over lower-traffic corners.
Packages are available. MSCAA offers multi-unit display packages, bundling placements can improve coverage and value.
Production is separate. Budget for creative production, printing, and installation in addition to media.

Get a current MEM quote

Want exact, current MEM advertising rates and live availability for a specific placement? Request a custom quote through AdQuick and compare options side by side.

MEM Audience: Who You Reach

Airport advertising works because the audience is captive, affluent, and attentive. At MEM, it is also genuinely local.

MEASUREMENT

Measurement: Impressions & CPM at MEM

AdQuick reports campaign performance with verified impressions and attribution so you can plan and prove ROI.

Impression estimates per placement. Every MEM unit on AdQuick includes projected monthly impressions based on traffic at its specific zone.
CPM modeling. Airport advertising typically delivers a strong cost per thousand impressions versus other premium OOH, because dwell time multiplies exposure per passenger.
Audience context. Plans factor in MEM's ~4.8 million annual passengers and O&D profile so impressions reflect a real, reachable local audience.
Post-campaign reporting. AdQuick provides proof-of-posting and performance reporting for every placement, so you can compare formats on a true cost-per-outcome basis.

For context, industry research consistently shows airport advertising drives high recall and action, a function of extended dwell time, a captive audience with limited distractions, and an affluent demographic. AdQuick translates that into placement-level numbers for your specific MEM media plan.

HOW TO BOOK

How to Advertise at MEM: Step-by-Step

Buying Memphis airport advertising is straightforward when one partner manages planning, pricing, and reporting. Here is the typical process with AdQuick.

01

Share your goals

Tell us your objective, target audience, budget, and campaign dates.

02

Get a custom plan

AdQuick returns available MEM inventory with placements, formats, indicative rates, and projected impressions.

03

Compare and select

Review options side by side, dioramas vs. phone boards vs. spectaculars vs. outdoor, and lock the mix that fits your budget.

04

Approve creative

Submit artwork to format specifications; airport content guidelines are confirmed before production.

05

Production & installation

Materials are produced and installed on a scheduled timeline by the airport's advertising team.

06

Campaign live & reporting

Your campaign runs, and AdQuick delivers proof-of-posting and performance reporting.

Alternative path

MEM advertising inventory is owned by the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority (MSCAA), which also accepts direct outreach via its official Marketing Partnership Inquiries channel. AdQuick works alongside that inventory so you can plan and buy with marketplace-wide visibility, transparent pricing, and consolidated reporting, without managing the process yourself.

COMPLIANCE

Creative Specs, Compliance & Lead Times

Airport environments have specific rules and dimensions. Plan ahead for these common requirements.

Typical backlit format dimensions

Confirm exact specs per unit before designing.

Format Approximate Overall Size
Standard diorama ~43" H × 62" W
Double diorama spectacular ~43" H × 126" W
Large spectacular ~83" H × 135" W

Compliance and timing essentials

Lead times. Static and print formats generally need several weeks for production and installation; digital creative is faster. Premium placements during peak travel periods should be reserved further ahead.
Creative specifications. Static formats require high-resolution print files with full bleed; digital units typically require full-HD (1920 × 1080) or 4K video/image files. Confirm exact specs per format.
Content guidelines. Airport content standards apply, and MSCAA reviews and approves creative. Regulated, political, and certain competitive-category content may face limitations.
Installation access. Federal regulations restrict access to areas beyond security checkpoints; work in secure and tenant-leased areas is coordinated with the Airport Authority and relevant parties, and may involve scheduled or after-hours installation.
Material standards. Materials must meet airport safety and durability requirements for in-terminal placement.

AdQuick helps you navigate specs, guidelines, and timelines so your campaign clears review and launches on schedule.

COMPARISON

Airport Advertising vs. Other Memphis OOH

Airport advertising is one piece of the Memphis OOH landscape. Here is when MEM advertising is the right call versus billboards and transit.

Use Case Best Channel Why
Reach affluent business & logistics travelers MEM airport advertising Captive, high-income, long dwell time
Reach the Mid-South market in a focused setting MEM dioramas / Concourse B placements O&D traffic = local audience, concentrated
Broad, low-cost local frequency Billboards (citywide) Wide reach across commuters and residents
Reach daily commuters on fixed routes Transit advertising Repetition along bus routes and corridors
Maximize total market impressions Combined: airport + billboards Layered reach inside and outside the terminal
Use Case Best Channel Why
Reach affluent business & logistics travelers MEM airport advertising Captive, high-income, long dwell time
Reach the Mid-South market in a focused setting MEM dioramas / Concourse B placements O&D traffic = local audience, concentrated
Broad, low-cost local frequency Billboards (citywide) Wide reach across commuters and residents
Reach daily commuters on fixed routes Transit advertising Repetition along bus routes and corridors
Maximize total market impressions Combined: airport + billboards Layered reach inside and outside the terminal

For many advertisers the strongest plan is a layered campaign: MEM placements to reach high-value, local travelers in a focused environment, plus billboards and transit advertising across Memphis to build frequency. AdQuick can price and book both in a single plan.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the most common questions about advertising at Memphis International Airport, pricing, formats, audience reach, and how to get started with AdQuick.

Indicative MEM advertising rates run roughly $700–$2,000 per four-week flight for phone boards, $1,500–$4,000 for a standard backlit diorama, and $5,000–$15,000+ for large-format spectaculars. Outdoor shelter and digital pricing varies by placement. These are estimates benchmarked to comparable airports, see how airport ads compare in cost to billboards or request a proposal through AdQuick for exact current rates and availability.
Memphis International Airport is owned and operated by the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority (MSCAA), which manages the airport's advertising inventory and accepts marketing partnership inquiries directly. AdQuick lets you plan, compare, and book that inventory with transparent pricing and reporting.
MEM offers backlit dioramas, phone boards, large-format spectaculars, and outdoor shelters, with digital displays expanding across the terminal. Placements span ticketing, security, the consolidated Concourse B, baggage claim, and airport roadways. See more airport advertising examples across U.S. airports for creative ideas.
Memphis International Airport served about 4.8 million passengers in 2025. Because MEM is an origin-and-destination airport, nearly all of them are Mid-South residents or visitors, a genuinely local, reachable audience. AdQuick provides impression estimates for each placement.
Yes. MEM is home to the FedEx Express World Hub and is North America's busiest cargo airport, and the surrounding economy is built on logistics and distribution. That makes MEM especially effective for B2B, freight, industrial, financial, and professional-services advertisers.
Plan several weeks ahead to allow for inventory availability, creative production, content review, and installation scheduling, longer for large static formats and peak travel seasons.
Request a proposal through AdQuick. You'll receive current available inventory by format and zone, with placements, indicative pricing, and projected impressions so you can compare options before booking. If you're new to the category, our quick guide to who to go to for airport advertising walks through your options.
MEM is an origin-and-destination airport, so the vast majority of passengers begin or end their journey in Memphis. Your campaign reaches the actual Mid-South market rather than connecting traffic.

Get Started with MEM Airport Advertising

Ready to put your brand in front of millions of Mid-South travelers at Memphis International Airport? AdQuick gives you transparent rates, real audience and impression data, current availability, and end-to-end campaign management, all in one place.

Tell us your goals, budget, and dates, and we'll return a custom plan with placements, pricing, and projected performance for airport advertising in Memphis International Airport.

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