HUMAN BILLBOARDS
Roomservice magazine has been getting a lot of screen time, and with good cause. Original ideas are thin on the ground nowadays. We thought it about time we had a chat with the guy behind the publication, Jacco Kranenburg, to get the low down on eBay actions, unique picture budgets and what he’s planning next.
Above: One of the eBay sellers in Human Billboards
Hey Jacco, we’ve been checking out your Roomservice magazine. Full points for originality. How and when did you get the idea for the magazine?
A few years ago I got addicted to the vaults of eBay. A new type of auction suddenly came up. People started auctions not to sell specific goods, but to tell a story in which the actual goods became kind of relics. Some normal people suddenly became eBay pop stars who could sell everything they wanted. A few very successful auctions passed by which are still copied today. Following those auctions became a daily occupation for me.
One of the most hyped listings those days was a mother that offered her forehead for advertising space. Online casino Golden Palace bought it for US$10,000. Many people saw the opportunity to get rid of their loans or maybe get really rich. So the Human Billboard became a genre of its own on eBay. Many people offered themselves but not many companies were interested in that type of advertising. I decided to buy a few human billboards to investigate if they where really the worthwhile advertising space they promised to be. And of course I was curious about the final appearance of my company name on a person.
How much was the magazine’s picture budget? That is, how much did you spend on the winning eBay bids of all the human billboards featured in the magazine?
I don’t want to know! In the magazine you only see the successful stories. Besides that I’ve been burned for hundreds of dollars… and providing clothing with advertising was expensive. I think the total costs were around US$2,000.
The graphic design student with the broken wrist promoting Roomservice on her cast is our favourite. US$25 well spent, we think. Do you have a favourite?
The harp builder with my logo/website on his outfit is one of my heroes. He wears it with dignity. Actually I love them all. The diversity of people is amazing.
Above: Jacco Kranenburg’s Human Billboards magazine
The lady who agreed to have Roomservice tattooed on her arm… for just US$50.09… well, that’s a little extreme. Sure, the tattoo was for a good cause [to raise money for breast cancer support]… but geez… we’re shocked. Which human billboard did you find most surprising?
I still have mixed feelings about that real tattoo on her arm. In the end it is her choice to sell that opportunity. But I’m glad I finally bought it to make this collection complete.
What about the people who are willing to walk around town with the Roomservice URL written on their foreheads in felt pen? Some of ‘em had us laughing out loud. Which human billboard did you find the funniest?
Indeed some are very funny. Or are they pathetic? I’m not sure. The reaction to this publication among friends and colleagues has been varied. Some people get angry, which is, in fact, a bit strange. I mean, many people earn their money by modeling. But because we know my ‘human billboards’ are paid amateurs, people get indignant.
Which do I find the funniest? Maybe the college student with advertising on his graduation cap, or the mother and daughter team.
So, all in all, Human Billboards is a pretty ace – and original – publication. Have you got any future magazines planned? If so, what can we expect?
Checking auctions is still a daily occupation and I’m working on several collections for future releases. The magazine will focus on personal stories told by auctions: ‘Real Life Transactions’. The blurring between professional and amateur is also an important aspect. The next issue will most likely be about one peculiar seller.
More info: Roomservice magazine