A deadly global swine flu epidemic may not, on the face of it, appear to be the best of news for advertisers.
But I see a silver lining.
If the virus du jour proves a keeper, just think how great an out of home advertising channel the inevitably ubiquitous protective face mask will prove to be?
It would represent the perfect partnership of public and private sectors; the state gets funding for the production and distribution of 60 million masks, the advertiser gains exposure to the sort of universal, mass market audience not convened in this country since the the final credits rolled on the last Morecambe & Wise Christmas Special.
Yes, there may perhaps be some initial trepidation on the grounds of taste and exploitation, but surely the reach and frequency opportunity would ultimately prove irresistibly compelling?
Get calling your clients now.
Pandemics like this don’t come round every year.
