Hartsfield-Jackson Olympic Mural Now A Porsche Ad

The airport’s advertising contract was just renewed by Clear Channel. Hartsfield-Jackson spokesperson Reese McCranie says that meant searching the airport for new ad space.  

“One of those areas is at the top of the escalators as passengers come in and are welcomed to the city of Atlanta,” McCranie says.

The mural of smiling children at Centennial Olympic Park, known as “Spirit of Atlanta,” has been there for 15 years. It was painted by Atlanta artist Deborah Wian Whitehouse.

For the next month and a half, Porsche is the new greeting committee. The ad is timed to accompany the debut of the German auto-manufacturer’s North American headquarters near the airport this month.

After that, the plan is to install a digital ad screen. McCranie says the money generated from the ads will go toward improvements for travelers. The planned digital screen will allow for a range of displays – which will be mostly ads and PSAs. 

“We already have a very robust public art program throughout the airport and I think actually we have one of the best in the country,” McCranie says.

He says the original Spirit of Atlanta has seen some wear and tear over the years. Airport officials are in discussions now to decide where the mural will end up.