John Metcalfe reports on an advertising campaign appearing at bus stops across the UK featuring a fiberglass potato sculpture and a mysterious odor emitting button.
The advertisements for "McCain Ready Baked Jackets," a microwaveable baked-potato product reminds Metcalfe of a disastrous "smellvertisement" promotion unleashed in San Francisco in 2006 as part of the "Got Milk" campaign.
"The ads included a scent strip that gave off the essence of fresh-baked cookies, a nice change from the usual reek of the urban environment. They lasted all of 36 hours before the city forced their removal. Among the groups that raised a stink were people concerned about obesity and diabetes, people who thought they might cause allergic reactions and advocates for the homeless, who worried the imaginary cookies might make the poor feel hungry."
Metcalfe discusses the long-term prognosis for the smellvertising sector with Carmine Santandrea, head of the Santa Barbara-based fragrance firm, ScentAndrea.
FULL STORY: Inside Smellvertising, the Scented Advertising Tactic Coming Soon to a City Near You
Transit Systems, Advertising, and Free Speech: Lawsuit Puts Big Debate to the Test
The ACLU is bringing a lawsuit against SEPTA, saying the transit agency's advertising policy runs afoul of the First Amendment. Some $16 million in annual revenue is at stake.
It's Bus Shelters or Wi-Fi in Miami, But Not Both
The company that pays to build and maintain bus shelters in Miami-Dade County isn't happy about plans to bring in another company to build wi-fi kiosks at transit stops.
Toward Better Advertising Campaigns for Transit
A few ideas on how advertisements could do a better job of selling public transit to the public.
What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities
How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.
‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge
Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.
Montreal’s Gorilla Park Repurposes Defunct Railway Track
The park is part of a global movement to build public spaces that connect neighbors and work with local elements to serve as key parts of a city’s green infrastructure.
Safe Parking Programs Help People Access Housing
The safety and stability offered by Safe Parking sites have helped 40 percent of unhoused San Diego residents who accessed these programs get into permanent housing.
Study: Single-Staircase Buildings Pose No Additional Risks
Zoning codes have long prohibited single-stair residential buildings due to safety concerns, but changing that could lower the cost of construction and allow for more flexible housing designs.
Forest Service Rescinds Tree Planting Grants
The $75 million program fell victim to the federal government’s purge of ‘DEI’-related projects.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Economic & Planning Systems, Inc.
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research