A lot of marketers make a big deal about the need for street teams and live, experiential marketing.  And they budget for it.

But people actually on the street operate with far more limited budgets.  To them, breakthrough isn’t just a nice to have, it’s a must have.  The alternative is a long, cold, unprofitable day.

Element 79 planner Amie Dowker saw this guy yesterday downtown on the corner of State and Randolph, standing with a marker-scrawled message that cut through the clutter like a hot knife through butter.

He may be an amateur advertiser, but his instincts are dead nuts on, even if his spelling is dodgy.

Amie snapped the pic, gave him her lunch money, and walked away with a smile to start her morning.

That’s great advertising.

By Dennis Ryan, CCO, Element 79