People who stand on the side of road in costumes to advertise

[Crazedclerkthe2nd]

I am referring to people like this:



Now do understand I am not saying that I hate these people specifically, moreso I dislike the fact companies have them do this. I think it's demeaning and in some cases embarrassing.

I guess sometimes it does help draw some attention to your business, but I have never seen one of these people by the side of the road and been spurned to go and check out whatever business they are working on behalf of.

Most of the time, since I really don't like the way these people are treated (made to wear suits and costumes and stand by the side of the road regardless of snow, rain, wind or whatever else), I make it a point to NOT patronize said business.

I'm pretty certain these people don't get paid much of anything either, though I could be wrong.

If the main goal of using an employee like this is to draw attention to your business, could the same not be accomplished by a bright sign out front like this?



At the very least, it doesn't matter if a sign gets cold in the winter, hot in the summer, wet in the rain, etc, etc.

I get that a human being CAN potentially be more animated and attention grabbing than a sign can be, but I still dislike employees being used as roadside billboards.

[Andara Bledin]

So, you want to reduce the employment opportunities for desperate, inexperienced, unskilled workers, then?

Also, I find your choice of images rather unusual. The first is notably unlike anyone I've seen doing the mascot advertising you speak against, and the latter is full of missing letters (people aren't nearly as likely to vandalize a person than an unattended sign) and is much more likely to get lost in a landscape already saturated with static advertising.

^-.-^

[HYHYBT]

I've seen, not the same person, but the same costume for the same business as the first photo in two different towns.

(That the sign advertising graphic design, of all things, is badly done and in poor condition is either deliberate or truly sad.)

The thing is, any advertising that is commonplace becomes unnoticed, and so you have to come up with something ever-more in your face, obnoxious, and unusual. Especially if you don't have or want to spend the big bucks to get *enough* of the more regular kinds. And what stands out more than someone in a Statue of Liberty costume waving and yelling, or someone else juggling a big "we buy gold!" sign?

It's *supposed* to be obnoxious. Which doesn't make it any better, but it does mean it's not likely to go away. At least they stay out of traffic.

Oh, one other thing.... it's been around forever. It just seems to be making an unfortunate comeback, perhaps because jobs are harder to come by.

[Lachrymose]

We have at least one person on CS who does this for that very company, I believe. I can't remember her name though.

[Lace Neil Singer]

Didn't Brad Pitt do this before he came famous?

[fireheart17]

We have at least one person on CS who does this for that very company, I believe. I can't remember her name though.

Gaki. She has two jobs actually: dancing around in the statue costume and working at a petrol station.

[bara]

If companies really want to get my attention with and advertisement they need to offer something I need or want (in that order) and offer a really good deal.

All the bright colors and annoying sounds does nothing but make me go some where else.

[jackfaire]

I get that a human being CAN potentially be more animated and attention grabbing than a sign can be, but I still dislike employees being used as roadside billboards.

I was being paid 10.20 an hour to be a roadside billboard. I was making enough to live comfortably.

[Glados]

10.20 an hour is a good wage for such a position.

I have no issues with people who do these jobs or the jobs themselves. I do, however, take issue when the employee in question is being mistreated. A local restaurant was in the past known for making their employees wear costumes and advertise. They were not hired for this purpose. The company then barred any "unprofessional" items to be carried such as water bottles. If a company is going to force an employee to wear a costume in the summer heat and deny the employee water then the practice should be stopped.

[Andara Bledin]

If a company is going to force an employee to wear a costume in the summer heat and deny the employee water then the practice should be stopped.

That's an OSHA violation and should be reported as such.

Mascot work is usually rather well regulated due to the nature of the work.

I know that in many situations, there's a strict limit on how long a mascot can be expected to work within the costume, as well as access to water and other means of hydration.

^-.-^

[Gravekeeper]

Seems like a pretty stupid form of advertising unless you're a fast food chain, kid's restaurant or sports team. A company that has someone dressed up in a stupid costume outside is not one I'd be about to trust with anything related to my taxes. >.>

Also when I drive by "Did...did I just see the Statue of Liberty with a Fleshlight?" is not the sort of impression you probably want me to have of your business. Unless that specifically is your business, in which case you're spot on.

[Tanasi]

I drive by a fellow dressed in the same costume in the evenings. To me he appears to be having a good time, waving and smiling asking for honks. One of the local Little Seizures pizza joints employee's take turns standing at the road twirling signs trying to bring in business. Some just look flat out unhappy other look to having a big time.
My Mom's oldest brother would be great at such a job as when he's outside he's always waving and "Helloing" everyone that passes by. He shakes hands, tells the kids and women folk how purty they are and even pets the dogs. He's not obnixous about it he's just having a good time and trying to bring a smile to folks faces.

[AdminAssistant]

I saw a homeless guy get in a fight with one of the Little Caesar's mascots in Little Rock.

[Dreamstalker]

"Did...did I just see the Statue of Liberty with a Fleshlight?"

Somehow I don't doubt that somewhere that has happened.

I've seen those guys almost get hit by cars once or twice; they weren't in the street, the drivers thought it would be 'fun' to scare them.

[Bloodsoul]

I wonder if I'd get in trouble for writing "Bring Back Crystal Pepsi!" on the back of the sign?

Also, were I ever to run my own store, I now want to create a window sign using Lite Brite. They still make that, right? Ooh, maybe Spirograph!