Just What We Need: More Ads

Urban spam is gaining foothold across America.

Several Michigan school districts are considering selling ad space inside school buses. Due to rising operating costs, they are looking for new revenue streams, and ads are an easy solution.

Ad Age reports:

“Times are hard,” said Mike Gwizdala, director-transportation at Bay City public schools. “The fuel prices are definitely affecting all transportation, whether it’s a school bus or a metro bus. It’s definitely having an effect on a lot of people, and school districts are in that boat.”

Terry Prewitt, executive director-financial services at Saginaw public schools, said he’s reviewing several vendor proposals. He added that any ads would have to be “age-appropriate” and “subject-appropriate.” Saginaw transports nearly 1,000 children every week. The vast majority of them are under age 12.

Others are not so keen on bringing commercial concerns into the educational realm. They feel young students are a captive audience that will be getting unfair compulsory exposure to these marketing efforts.

In New York, trash cans, scaffolding and city park facilities are being looked at as new canvases for advertising (and sources of revenue). Garbage can advertising alone is expected to bring in $2.5 million for the city. Mayor Bloomberg has also proposed selling naming rights to venues owned by the Parks Department, like zoos, pools and sports fields.

[via Gawker]