'Ghost ads' in Beijing subway promotes nothing  

地鐵站部分廣告難尋實(shí)物 回應(yīng)：美觀公益廣告(圖)

不少人乘坐地鐵時(shí)會(huì)被地鐵站內(nèi)的廣告所吸引，但上網(wǎng)或?qū)ふ覍?shí)體店，結(jié)果發(fā)現(xiàn)并不存在。為此，市民質(zhì)疑此舉涉嫌欺騙。昨日，發(fā)布上述廣告的公司回應(yīng)稱“產(chǎn)品并不存在，只是美觀公益廣告”。[查看全文]

(ECNS) -- Beijing subway riders couldn't figure out what products were being sold on some attractive posters at metro stations, and an advertising company said they were there merely for beauty, not to promote goods, the Beijing News reported.

Many passengers said they were attracted by a beautiful picture with the word "hallucination" at many subway stations and wondered what it was promoting. A female passenger surnamed Huang said she searched the poster for some brands but couldn't find any information online.

Such are called "ghost ads" by passengers, which can be found at most stations on Subway Line 5 and 10.

An advertising company that put up posters at metro stations said they are public service advertising. A marketing staffer said ad space is rented by month, and they put up some beautiful pictures during gaps in rental periods for aesthetic effect.

An industry insider said it is a common way to deal with vacancies in ad space, especially outdoors. "But it can't be ruled out that other commercial activities might be involved," he added.

Wang Youyin, a local lawyer, said if the company's words are true, it is just a marketing method. But if they are advertising fictional goods, then they are cheating.

Wang also said anyone can register a trademark using the brands on "ghost ads," but can't borrow the images in them.