Splashing out on advertising
When you've had too much to drink, the beer does the talking. But now its not just the beer. Bars in Michigan are trialling interactive urinal communications. Is nowhere safe from advertising?
The device, made by a company called Wizmark (and no, I'm not making this up), sits in the bottom of the urinal trough and is motion activated. Just when the slightly inebriated reveller is feeling at his most relaxed in the men's room, a female voice speaks out:
"Listen up. That's right, I'm talking to you. Had a few drinks? Maybe a few too many? Then do yourself and everyone else a favour. Call a sober friend or a cab. Oh, and don't forget to wash your hands."
Wizmark produces a whole range of device options. As well as voice, you can get versions with flashing lights, LCD screens, and one which it describes as an "Interactive" electronic display. Interactive? Presumably that means it says "squirt here for more information".
The road safety campaign message is financed by the Office of Highway and Safety Planning. Laudable as this initiative is, I can't help feeling sorry for the poor employee who, every now and then, must have to fish out the device to change the batteries.
26th July 2012