Friday, March 29, 2024
ADVT 
Interesting

Tom Hanks used as physical distance marker

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 17 Jul, 2020 10:09 PM
  • Tom Hanks used as physical distance marker

It could be "A Beautiful Day In The Neighbourhood" if you come across a life-sized decal of Tom Hanks in downtown Toronto.

Images of the Oscar-winning actor have been laid on the ground outside of two government-run liquor stores in the city's downtown, using his six-foot frame to help customers maintain their physical distance in line.

The decals show a bespectacled Hanks in a suit above the caption "'Hanks for keeping your distance."

The non-profit initiative was developed by Public Inc., a Toronto-based marketing agency, with the aim of injecting some fun into physical distancing.

"We were a bit concerned that people were going to let down their guard, that they weren't going to be as vigilant about mask-wearing and physically distancing," said Phillip Haid, the co-founder and CEO of Public Inc., on Friday. "That's what led us to ask, 'What would it take to remind people?'"

Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson were diagnosed with COVID-19 in March, and both have since recovered from the illness.

"The idea was born with Tom Hanks because he was the first celebrity to get COVID-19 with his wife — and he happens to be six-feet tall," said Haid.

Haid also pointed out that Hanks has been outspoken in telling people to wear masks to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus since recovering from the disease.

Although the decals are only outside two LCBO locations so far, the campaign will expand to more locations of the provincial government's liquor store chain and to some coffee shops, Haid said. He said the company came up with the project for "the public good."

Haid added that it won't just be in Toronto but at some point may be expanded to New York City, where his company has another office.

It's not clear whether Hanks himself is aware of the campaign.

Public Inc., purchased the rights to the photo, Haid said, and he hopes it will catch the actor's attention.

A message left with Hanks's publicist by The Canadian Press on Friday was not immediately returned.

MORE Interesting ARTICLES

Friend or fowl: Making peace with Canada geese

Friend or fowl: Making peace with Canada geese
They came, they honked, they conquered. Flying in their signature V-formation, Canada geese are often hailed as a symbol of the Canadian wilderness, marking the change of seasons with their southern migration each winter and return every spring.

Friend or fowl: Making peace with Canada geese

A box of teeth and scientific serendipity unveil the lives of bottlenose whales

A box of teeth and scientific serendipity unveil the lives of bottlenose whales
The walnut-sized teeth taken from northern bottlenose whales slaughtered in the 1960s and 70s are proving to be storehouses of knowledge that raise awareness about the fragile future of the endangered species.

A box of teeth and scientific serendipity unveil the lives of bottlenose whales

Restaurant chains jump on ghost kitchen trend to boost sales during COVID-19

Restaurant chains jump on ghost kitchen trend to boost sales during COVID-19
When the COVID-19 outbreak forced many restaurants to shutter dining rooms across Canada, Vancouver-based Joey Restaurants responded by opening two "ghost kitchens" — a new model being adopted for delivery- and pick-up-only spaces.

Restaurant chains jump on ghost kitchen trend to boost sales during COVID-19

Black parents having 'the talk' with younger kids to prepare them for racism

Black parents having 'the talk' with younger kids to prepare them for racism
Black parents have always dealt with the added burden of talking to their children about racism but some are now struggling with whether to broach the topic sooner, says the founder of a parenting group.

Black parents having 'the talk' with younger kids to prepare them for racism

Recreational pot laws may boost traffic deaths, studies say

Recreational pot laws may boost traffic deaths, studies say
Laws legalizing recreational marijuana may lead to more traffic deaths, two new studies suggest, although questions remain about how they might influence driving habits.

Recreational pot laws may boost traffic deaths, studies say

Bejeweled, Minecraft among games inducted into hall of fame

Bejeweled, Minecraft among games inducted into hall of fame
The World Video Game Hall of Fame inducted Bejeweled, Centipede, King’s Quest and Minecraft in a virtual ceremony Thursday that recognized their influence on the industry and the gamers who have spent tens of billions of hours playing them.

Bejeweled, Minecraft among games inducted into hall of fame