We've all seen the back of a bus ticket or car-park ticket with a message similar to "You could have advertised here!" and thought "Why would I? No-one else has bothered!"

The fact is, though, that you have noticed the message. Advertisers are coming around to this concept, called ambient advertising, in a big way. So many surfaces in public spaces are filling up with advertising, and FHM magazine are rumoured to have had plans to even project an image onto the moon. (An image of Jennifer Lopez's substantial rear, no less)

So how can we, the consumers, benefit from this? Simple! Take an object that is considered private property and introduce it to the public space by making it free. And allow the supplier to benefit financially by covering it with adverts.

Like bread, for example. So many families are struggling to make ends meet, why not give them their bread for free? Free sliced bread, with an advert (made with edible food dyes) on every slice. Adbread!

The baker can dye the bread in the same way that "holiday rock" is dyed with Brighton (or similar). For this service, the advertiser pays handsomely and his advert is on every plate and in every lunchbox in the catchment area of that bakery.

But, you may ask, how can these families on the breadline afford to buy the products advertised on the bread? Well, maybe they can't, but there are enough well-off families who will be willing to take free adbread instead of paying for boring, plain bread. And what do they see every meal time? "Drink Coke!"

Governments could even use adbread to promote healthy living. "Remember to brush your teeth after this sandwich!" and "Is that low-fat butter you're putting on me?"

Politicians will be delighted to distribute free adbread at election time: "Vote for Sir Bob!" and so forth.
-- kevincherubini, Apr 28 2004

Toast Text Messaging http://www.halfbake..._20Text_20Messaging
Similar technology [hippo, Oct 04 2004]

Is it edible?
-- k_sra, Apr 28 2004


Of course it's edible! It's just bread with edible food dye. But can you stomach the advertiser's message?
-- kevincherubini, Apr 28 2004


//...how can these families on the breadline afford to buy the products advertised on the bread?//

You could advertise cigarettes...or alcohol.
-- ldischler, Apr 28 2004


Does anyone know how ink-jet printers work, and if they can be adjusted for thicker 'stock' material?
-- her-ph, Apr 28 2004


Are there "pop-ups"?
-- k_sra, Apr 28 2004


Can this idea be extended to breadsticks and crackers too?
-- her-ph, Apr 28 2004


Easier, I think, if not as half-baked, simply to advertise on the bread wrapper.
-- DrCurry, Apr 28 2004


...and what? Eat uncolored bread? Why how boring would that be?! I only ask one thing, please don't use the colors purple, pink or green on the bread.
-- her-ph, Apr 28 2004


There'd probably be some things that wouldn't work as well as others for on-bread advertising. Your local colonic irrigation service for example.
-- hippo, Apr 28 2004


her-ph: I like the way you are thinking. This concept can of course be extended to other bread-like products, bagel blurb, promotional pretzels and marketing melba toast. Can't promise you anything on the colours - if Barney pays up, then Barney is on your bread.

hippo: Great link to the Toast site! I want one of those toasters! How cool is that? Leave messages for your partner in the morning - she gets up after you've gone to work, makes some toast and there, right in the centre is your personalised message. "Pack your bags and move out, wench!"

Dr C: You're forgetting the slice-to-mouth hit ratio. Advertising on the packaging, as you rightfully point out, is much easier to accomplish. But packaging can be discarded by the "bread winner" and so is not seen by the rest of the family unit. We need to penetrate beyond the prima facie customer to the real consumer, kids who eat too much chocolate spread and husbands who go to work with packed lunches.
-- kevincherubini, Apr 28 2004


Also why I feel this may be better than just advertising on the wrapper is that the baker has far more area to sell to advertisers. I know the original idea mentions the 'stick of rock' approach, but I think individual advertising on each slice would be better. Maybe I am thinking about this a bit too seriously, but I foresee a modified bread slicer that prints each slice of the loaf with food dye after slicing and before packaging. (Just re read that; yeah, as if it would happen to each slice any other time) I think this would make more money as you could sell each slice of advertisement for a reasonable amount, but any company that understands advertising would appreciate the advantages of paying for the 'stick of rock' approach.

Croissant, as long as no ads look like mould.
-- afrocelt, Apr 28 2004


"Let them read cake."
-- FarmerJohn, Apr 28 2004


afrocelt: Like the individually printed idea - could be used to build up a storyboard advertising campaign throughout the loaf. Build suspense, finish with a climax that will have consumers saying "Crumbs!"

FarmerJohn: Nicely put.
-- kevincherubini, Apr 28 2004


We're already surrounded by adverts. Do we really need more?
-- saker, Apr 29 2004


Half way through chomping on said loaf,

' have you seen this person? missing since 1902,somewhere within the vicinity of loafahoma '

Continues chomping on said loaf.
-- skinflaps, Apr 29 2004


"Honey, pass the viagra baguette..."
-- k_sra, Apr 29 2004


Look very closely at the opened croissant above left, and one can almost make out "Ideas, 1/2 off".
-- FarmerJohn, Apr 29 2004



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