'Ghost ads' in Beijing subway promotes nothing  

地铁站部分广告难寻实物 回应：美观公益广告(图)

不少人乘坐地铁时会被地铁站内的广告所吸引，但上网或寻找实体店，结果发现并不存在。为此，市民质疑此举涉嫌欺骗。昨日，发布上述广告的公司回应称“产品并不存在，只是美观公益广告”。[查看全文]

(ECNS) -- Beijing subway riders couldn't figure out what products were being sold on some attractive posters at metro stations, and an advertising company said they were there merely for beauty, not to promote goods, the Beijing News reported.

Many passengers said they were attracted by a beautiful picture with the word "hallucination" at many subway stations and wondered what it was promoting. A female passenger surnamed Huang said she searched the poster for some brands but couldn't find any information online.

Such are called "ghost ads" by passengers, which can be found at most stations on Subway Line 5 and 10.

An advertising company that put up posters at metro stations said they are public service advertising. A marketing staffer said ad space is rented by month, and they put up some beautiful pictures during gaps in rental periods for aesthetic effect.

An industry insider said it is a common way to deal with vacancies in ad space, especially outdoors. "But it can't be ruled out that other commercial activities might be involved," he added.

Wang Youyin, a local lawyer, said if the company's words are true, it is just a marketing method. But if they are advertising fictional goods, then they are cheating.

Wang also said anyone can register a trademark using the brands on "ghost ads," but can't borrow the images in them.