Indiana Fire Hydrants Now Extra Crispy

Two Hoosier cities seeking creative ways to supplement their budgets have gotten a bit of assistance from the Colonel — yes, THE Colonel.

Fast-food chain KFC is giving two Indiana cities $7,500 so it can emblazon founder Colonel Sanders’ face on hydrants and fire extinguishers to promote new "fiery" chicken wings.

Experts say to expect more ads on public property as companies look to cut through the clutter of traditional advertising. Cash-strapped governments have long sold space on mass-transit vehicles, benches, trash cans and other public property to help stretch budgets.

KFC told Indianapolis and nearby Brazil that it wanted to improve their fire safety by helping pay for new hydrants and extinguishers in public buildings in exchange for ads on them.

Alternative marketing efforts like this have been growing as people become immune to conventional advertising, said Allen Adamson, managing director of branding firm Landor Associates.

"I think it’s the tip of an iceberg … as marketers struggle to find places to reach consumers and as cities look for ways to squeeze more dollars," Adamson said.

So do you think this is a useful way to enhance public budgets — or capitalism run amok and an unhealthy merging of the public and private sectors?