This weekend I filled my car up with gasoline at the corner station. As I stood by the pump I noticed a new advertising campaign.

These new ads were not on the pump, not on the gasoline price sign outside the building, and not on the station building. This new ad was on the gasoline pump handle.

I opened my car’s gas cap, and inserted the pump nozzle. There on the top of the handle was a sign. Fresh Coffee Inside.

That’s the new advertising campaign. Subtle, yet obvious. In your face? Yes. A taste of trends to come? Yes.

I can’t tell you how effective the gasoline pump handle advertising campaign really is (I don’t drink coffee, so I wasn’t enticed by the opportunity), but there’s always fresh coffee inside, and there’s always someone standing in line ready to buy more coffee.

Somebody’s advertising is working.

If gasoline pump handles, why not supermarket shopping carts? Wait. There’s already advertising on supermarket shopping carts.

Where else would such subtle but obvious advertising campaigns take root? How about public rest rooms? Ads could be placed on toilet seats, along the sink, or on mirrors. How about the doors on the toilet stalls?

What would be advertised? Hemorrhoid medicine? Makeup? Contacts? Clothing from Target or Sears?

How far can advertisers go? It’s just a matter of time before the U.S. Mint begins printing money with advertising on the bills instead of the faces of past presidents.

Will the country suffer with a quarter that says Drink Pepsi on one side, or Go Chevy on the other?

Maybe such advertising would help reduce the national debt.