A Genius for Advertising.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIV, Issue 10, 9 March 1910, Page 13

A Genius for Advertising.

The American genius for street advertising was vividly illustrated in New York one day last month. A big balloon, for example, half inflated, was solemnly towed down the leading thoroughfares by a gang of boys, who distributed pamphlets recommending the latest baking powder. A beautiful lady dressed in scarlet sat in a hansom cab—almost an obsolete vehicle in the United States — and, drawn by a fine black horse, solemnly paraded the city. All the time she chewed gum—it is estimated that at least one-third of the population is devoted to this strange practice—and a placard on either side of the hansom announced that So-and-So's chewing gum was by a lung way the best on the market, and “ has that beautiful wild mint flavour, reminding-one of one’s country home.” A few moments later was to be seen, walking along the frozen streets, which had recently been swept by a blizzard, a man and a child with bare limbs and only sandals on their feet, walking slowly and aimlessly about, their costume being a cross between a bath robe and a nightshirt, although in Athens, perhaps, it might pass as ancient Grecian. It was cold enough to warrant fur coats, but the man and child seemed contented enough, and did not even shiver. They and several other eccentric people are trying to prove that the Greek costume is adapted to New York, and incidentally they advertise that the child’s parents give lectures here on Grecian music and are exponents of the Grecian dance. These street advertisements are samples of scores which one could enumerate. It is true that the boys and the balloon were hustled off to the police station at the close of the day, and that the Grecian gentleman and child found themselves under arrest before nightfall, but even these extremities are welcomed as boons by the advertisers, and in many instances are part and parcel of the general scheme publicly organised by ingenious American Press agents.