Top > Webmaster > 2004 > October > 2004-10-20

`Human Billboard` Recruits 800 New Clients for C I Host

After signing a contract with C I Host, Jim Nelson had the company`s logo tattooed on the back of his head.

"The campaign brought C I Host`s message to the masses," said Christopher Faulkner, CEO of C I Host. "The `Human Billboard` is responsible for bringing us hundreds of new clients -- a success by any means."

The 800th customer, Marion Rice of Omaha, Neb., saw the tattoo and instantly questioned Nelson.

"The `Human Billboard` caught my eye and when I stopped him, he told me about C I Host," Rice said. "He was a big factor in my decision to go with C I Host."

The unique advertising idea has been featured in the press worldwide. Nelson agreed to the unusual use of his head to raise money for a dot.com business.

The five-year contract requires the "Human Billboard" to keep the tattoo visible at all times and make daily treks promoting C I Host, which includes trips throughout the continental U.S.

Faulkner knew the program would be successful shortly after it began -- 23 new accounts were generated directly from the tattooing event and C I Host Web traffic increased 12 percent just within the first two months of the campaign.

"The `Human Billboard` is one of the most aggressive salespeople I`ve got," Faulkner said. "This proves the power of grassroots, guerrilla marketing should never be underestimated."