I like to get up close and personal with popular culture and my favorite obsession is with Advertising Icons. Americans know characters like Big Boy, Mr. Peanut, Mr. Clean, the GEICO Gecko and the Michelin Man (real name: Bibendum) better than their Senators or Congressmen. I’ve been collecting these characters for over 20 years and I’ve continued to buy them, even after pledging the entire collection to the Adcenter. (Look for an installation in the new building).

How well do you know you’re ad characters? You can look at some and vote for your favorite HERE. And while you’re there, check out the rest of the Advertising Week, 2007 site. The VCU Adcenter’s Rick Boyko, is on the board of the event and Adcenter students will be participating in the “Brand America” presentation.