It’s certainly an interesting idea. But I suspect that it would probably tend to serve much better as an altruistic endeavor … as opposed to a truly effective form of advertising. I think a lot would depend on the type of product or service being promoted.

But as I said, anyone willing to try really should and it would be interesting to see the public and government reaction.

Maybe they’ll use their ad dollars to rent an apt, eat 3 meals a day, and continue holding signs 9-5.

If being homeless is not a requirement for this job’s application then you’ll see the sign holding guy on the photo applying for the job, and many more jobless people, as it is exactly the same kind of job.

It’s an idea though, and someone should start it and try to change the view most people will have of it (companies abusing people bad luck, encouraging street living and lazy jobs, etc.)

I don’t disagree with that. I’ve heard stories of people offering food but being declined, then when they give money the guy goes across the street into the liquor store. But lets face it, I probably would too if I had their life - they’re just trying to cope and get by day to day.

And yeah, I have given food before and prefer that over money. But the idea of paying the homeless to advertise could a) fund their eating and b) possibly give them enough to get off the street, though there will be some % that will never function again with any amount of money because they have issues that need to be solved by other means.