Interactive Urinal Communicator

The Interactive Urinal Communicator is an advertising device invented by bioengineer Dr. Richard Deutsch for the Islip, New York company Wizmark. The 3.5 inch screen is placed in a urinal to promote products or services. Deutsch commented, "Now when nature calls, there is going to be something entertaining to look at and listen to."

Features of the advertising include:
* Flashing lights that are activated by physical presence, or actual urination
* A lenticular image that changes depending on viewpoint
* A 16-second pre-recorded audio message
* A temperature-sensitive image

Deutsch commented to "Marketing Magazine" that "Beginning with early attempts at writing one's name in the snow, there has always been an element of recreation associated with urination for men."

Such advertising vehicles are not entirely new: some plain screens have carried advertising for a few years now and poster style ads in washrooms are quite common. The use of interactive urinal screens is being advocated by guerrilla marketers.

References

* Chris Powell, "'Hey! Down here!'", "Marketing Magazine". Toronto: Rogers Media, May 10, 2004.

External links

* [http://promomagazine.com/news/marketing_marketing_wiz_develops/ Promo Magazine: Marketing "Wiz" Develops Urinal Advertising] , May 6, 2004
* [http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/WolfFiles/story?id=156799&page=1 ABC News: Gee Whiz, It's a Talking Urinal]
* [http://wizmark.com/ WizMark website]