LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Fast-food chain KFC is giving two Indiana cities $7,500 so it can emblazon founder Colonel Sanders’ face on their hydrants and fire extinguishers to promote new “fiery” chicken wings.
Experts say to expect more ads like this, on public property from sewer grates to the local landfill, as companies look to cut through the clutter of traditional advertising. Cash-strapped governments have long sold space on mass transit, benches, trash cans and other public property to help stretch budgets.
KFC told Indianapolis and nearby Brazil, Ind., it wanted to improve their fire safety by helping pay for new hydrants and extinguishers in exchange for advertising on them. KFC spent about $16,000 last year to help fix potholes in four cities — Topeka, Kan.; Chattanooga, Tenn.; Warren, Ohio; and Louisville, Ky. In return, more than 1,500 potholes were branded “Re-Freshed by KFC” in chalk that lasted about a month. The Associated Press
