Porta-Potty Advertising to Make Debut

Mike Mason thinks walking into an oversized beer can to relieve oneself might be more fun than entering a standard, portable toilet. He's taken that thought and turned it into a business, called MediaCan, which intends to sell advertising on panels that wrap around portable toilets. Mason hopes to attract the attention of major "can companies" such as Anheuser-Busch, Pepsi, Coke and perhaps pharmaceutical companies marketing pills in a bottle.

Mason thinks the approach will be welcome as well as humorous. Unfortunately, those in the industry are not quite sure they agree. Word from Anheuser-Busch said MediaCan "is not an idea that fits with the image of our brands." Boston-based alternative ad agency President and CEO Adam Salcuse said, "Marketing now is all about being relevant and creating a positive experience. I'm going to go relieve myself in a Budweiser can? That could be a problem."

While no one enjoys the proliferation of advertising, covering those blue/green/brown plastic excuses for a bathroom could be a good thing - except for that damn smell. Not good for brand association.