# Urban Sprintvertising Olympic Medallist Jamie Baulch is a Human Advert for LOVEFiLM By Gemma Vardon | Published 2011-11-11 | Marketing Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/human-advert References: [psfk](http://www.psfk.com/2011/11/sprint-vertizing-ad-campaign-features-ex-olympics-runner-to-trail-banners-around-london.html) & [lovefilm](http://www.lovefilm.com/browse/film/watch-online/) Olympic medallist Jamie Baulch has been recruited as a human advert to run the streets of the UK promoting LOVEFiLM's streaming service. The former team GB runner is using his [long distance marathon training](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/radox-and-the-tcs-london-marathon) as a basis for the unusual marketing approach. He will be running over eight hours a day covering as much ground as possible, bringing the streaming message to film fans. Baulch will be running all day trailing branded banners behind him as the [mobile human ad](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/go-wild-campaign). Baulch, 38, is going out from Oxford Street at 8am and hitting some of the capital’s busiest streets until the evening rush hour. This is not the first [unusual stunt](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/adidas-you-got-this) for Baulch, who holds an Olympic silver medal for the 4x400m relay and took gold at the World Indoor Championships in 1999. Last year, he went head to head with a thoroughbred racehorse over 100 metres at Kempton Park before a delighted crowd – but lost by half a second. LOVEFiLM is hoping to highlight its streaming service, offering members unlimited DVDs for around $16USD a month. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.0/10 - Popularity: 16% | Activity: 35% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing) > [Branding](https://www.trendhunter.com/branding) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Human Adverts:** Using individuals as walking billboards to promote products or services. - **Unconventional Marketing:** Utilizing unique and attention-grabbing strategies to promote brands. - **Experiential Advertising:** Creating immersive experiences to engage and connect with consumers. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Streaming Services:** Companies offering online streaming platforms for movies and TV shows. - **Outdoor Advertising:** The industry that focuses on out-of-home advertising, including billboards, signage, and other forms of outdoor media. - **Sports Marketing:** The practice of promoting products or services through sports-related events, athletes, or teams. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Caveman-Centric Running Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/craft-sportswear-brand-film.md) - [Hyper-Local Gym Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/made-for-london-life.md) - [Athlete-Starring Footwear Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/speed-shopping.md) - [Running-Centric Brand Activations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-hackney-half.md) - [Vibrant Runner-Targeted Commercials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/puma-southeast-asia.md) - [Marathon Retail Partnerships](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/marathon-roocovery-hub.md) - [Elite-Level Running Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sir-mo-farah.md) - [Interactive Garment Billboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sweaty-betty-all-good-in-the-hood.md) - [Lightning-Fast Delivery Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spot-the-biker.md)