Billboards to Welcome Newborns Gaining Popularity With Parents
"Baby you're a superstar, looking like you're going far."
— -- That rented stork you have on your lawn? Oh, baby please.
Parents of newborns are taking birth announcements to new heights -- literally.
With the help of the hospitals they deliver in, parents can see their baby's name in lights. Or more specifically on a billboard, along with all the pertinent details of their newest arrival's birth.
Henrico Doctors' Hospital in Richmond, Virginia is the latest to offer the option to new moms and dads. The service is free to parents. The hospital makes out by getting the opportunity to promote themselves next to adorable photos of newborns.
Hospitals in Illinois, South Carolina and New Jersey offer similar services to interested parents.
"It's a brand reminder," said Kelly Woody, marketing manager. "We want to bring attention to our services."
The hospital said they deliver more babies than any other in central Virginia, so there's a lot of cuties to choose from.
One of the latest was Laughton Mikula, born on March 4. Mom Elizabeth Mikula said she has "an emotional reaction" to seeing her baby's photo on Interstate 195. She got lots of calls and messages from people wanting to congratulate her once they too saw the billboard. "Some messages were from people we hardly know," she said. "There was an outpouring of love and support for her and for us."