Brands can now connect with the Bay Area’s most affluent and influential commuters on the water.
San Francisco, CA – June 16, 2025 – Ballyhoo Media, the nation’s largest waterway media company, proudly announces its expansion into the Bay Area through an exclusive advertising agreement with the iconic San Francisco Bay Ferry for up to 10 years. Ballyhoo will be launching an onboard media network featuring nearly 100 digital screens, static placements, and full-vessel dominations across SF Bay Ferry’s fleet of 18high-speed, high-capacity ferries.
With over 2.8 million annual riders and 21% year-over-year growth, now surpassing pre-COVID ridership levels, SF Bay Ferry serves some of the region’s most affluent professionals commuting daily between downtown San Francisco and Oakland, Alameda, Richmond, and Vallejo.
Nearly one in three riders earns over $200,000 annually, offering brands a rare opportunity to reach a high-income, decision-making audience. Over 50% of riders use the ferry for weekday commuting, deliberately choosing it for its premium experience, even when faster transit options are available.
“If you’ve never ridden the ferry, the only comparable experience is flying first-class,” said Tyler Zlatin, CRO of Ballyhoo Media. “It’s truly an elevated transit experience, where riders choose to unwind with scenic views, catch up on work at conference tables, or enjoy a drink at the onboard bar… rather than sitting in traffic. I don’t think there’s anything else quite like it in advertising, where brands can engage with audiences for up to an hour in a relaxed, distraction-free environment.”
On weekends, 72% of riders travel for recreation, with routes connecting downtown San Francisco to destinations like Napa Valley. SF Bay Ferry also operates special game-day routes to Oracle Park and Chase Center, regularly selling out ferries for Giants, Warriors, and Valkyries games, as well as select major concerts. The weekend ridership in 2025 reached 139% of pre-pandemic levels, as more passengers rely on ferry service for high-demand events throughout the Bay Area.
“If you’re buying the San Francisco DMA, this is a must buy for any media planner,” said Mike Riley, COO of Ballyhoo Media. “It reaches an audience no other OOH can. High impact, highly targeted, and seamlessly embedded in the daily routines of one of the country’s most valuable markets.”
With global events like Super Bowl LX and the FIFA World Cup bringing increased attention and activity to the Bay Area, SF Bay Ferry is expected to play a growing role in regional mobility. These moments give brands a unique opportunity to become part of the rider experience in a way that’s immersive, memorable, and fun.
“We’re excited to partner with Ballyhoo Media as our exclusive advertising partner,” said Tom Hall, Director of Operations & Customer Experience at SF Bay Ferry. “Through a competitive RFP process, Ballyhoo demonstrated not only deep expertise in waterway media, but also a clear vision for how advertising can enhance the rider experience and support the growth of our service. This partnership brings in new revenue to help improve operations while giving local brands and San Francisco businesses a unique way to connect with our growing base of Bay Area passengers.”
ABOUT BALLYHOO MEDIA
Ballyhoo Media is the nation’s largest and most innovative waterway media company. From ferry dominations and water taxi wraps to digital billboard boats and live events, Ballyhoo helps brands break through the noise with iconic placements on the water. With exclusive partnerships in New York, Seattle, Miami, Chicago and now San Francisco, Ballyhoo is reshaping what’s possible in out-of-home advertising. Learn more at www.ballyhooboats.com
ABOUT SAN FRANCISCO BAY FERRY
San Francisco Bay Ferry is a regional public transit agency tasked with developing, operating and expanding ferry service on the San Francisco Bay and with coordinating the water transit response to regional emergencies. The agency operates ferry routes connecting the cities of Alameda, Oakland, Richmond, San Francisco, South San Francisco and Vallejo. More information is available at https://sanfranciscobayferry.com/media-center.
