My Billboard In Times Square (Yes- NYC!)
How could it even be possible? I am not famous. I am not a model. I have not appeared on any terrorist list or in any big time theatrical play. I am not in a TV series nor do I have any other logical connection to having randomly appeared on a billboard in NYC's Times Square over the Memorial Day Weekend. Yet, that impossible became possible, and on May 31, 2010 I had my 15 seconds of fame.
Times Square was packed, it was 11:30PM and despite the fact that the sun had long gone down, the lights emanating from the billboards gave the illusion that it was mid-day. It was there, amongst the visual clutter and confusion, that my billboard appeared.
The promotion- Live you life. Leave your mark. One of kind digital canvas. 15,000 sq feet of LED power. The facts it touts are impressive and really help put the 'Times Square' reality into perspective... 35 million visitors per day; 15,000 hotel rooms; 33,360 households; 158,000 office employees; 234,881 commuters; 486,500 passers by per day and 98,560 daily pedestrians.
For days I had noticed a small smattering of people screaming as they spied their images appearing on the billboard in Times Square. I watched, observed, and yet I could not figure out how this opportunity was coming to fruition. I finally decided that I had to solve the mystery. I went into the store that was located below the marquis and investigated. I saw no visible advertisements for such a promotion. I figured that maybe if I purchased some clothing over a high dollar amount that I could qualify for a drawing or raffle ticket to have my image posted upon this prime real estate piece of billboard. With the 80% of the store canvased I went downstairs to the men's department and it was THERE that I spotted a camera and a few people in line. I gingerly approached the person closest to me in line and asked, "Can you tell me how this promotion works?" The secret was revealed and I promptly rushed upstairs to make my purchase. Upon signing the Visa receipt I was again surprised that no one mentioned the promotion to me ......but figured, 'why question fate?' I hurried back down stairs - hostage in hand.
Continued on the next page
Follow Technorati