By the Pound?

Forget about those silly blinking Cartoon Network signs that caused so much hubbub in Boston. Marketing campaigns crying for our attention in public places — any public place, from buses to bathrooms — is nothing new. Advertising is everywhere, and for the most part we're all used to it.

What concerns me more is advertising in private places, specifically on one's person. I wasn't raised to be a prude, but I was raised to believe that my body was my own, and not for sale. So I'm always a little unnerved to hear when an advertiser rents out space on someone's body to splay its logo.

The trend reared its head again a few months back, when online auction site uBid displayed its logo on Chicago Bears fan Jennifer Gordon's pregnant belly in exchange for Super Bowl tickets.

As someone who has carried two babies — and been huge both times — I really can't imagine walking around displaying my uncovered prenatal girth. But, I wondered, is it just me? Would other moms-to-be like the idea of being walking billboards? And for what price?

I asked my friend Em, a Chicago-area resident herself, who is the mom of a 3-year-old daughter and expecting twins.

“As someone who's always strapped for cash, I can't say that I would not entertain the idea of advertising on my belly, as large as it is,” she says. “However, I don't think anyone would meet my price, which would be enough for me to retire. I'm kind of disgusted with the idea of showing off my belly to all, which is kind of ironic since all modesty goes out the window when you're pregnant, as everyone and their brother and sister seem to be looking at you from your most intimate side.”

But, I asked, what if the Cubs made it to the World Series? “I am a true Cub fan at heart,” she concedes. “I know if it came down to the Cubs actually being in the World Series it would be close to the end of the world, so I'd say what the hell? It's not like it would last that long.”

I also asked Sarah, one of my son's preschool teachers, who is expecting her second daughter in June. “Sure,” she said. “Why not? But no one would pay me what I'd ask — $50,000, which would cover two years of daycare for the girls.”

So there you have it. Forget about guerrilla marketing tactics. There's oodles of unique advertising opportunities walking the streets — and growing by the day.

And remember, if you want some prime Chicago-area advertising space, act now. Em — stretch-mark free at press time, we add! — is due any day now.