Sign Spinners Toss, Twirl the Sandwich Board

Sidewalk sign holders in California have spun a boring job into art that's drawing attention, on the cheap, from advertising-inundated consumers. Sign spinners twirl, toss, and wheel ad boards around the body—all while ensuring the board's message displays prominently. As ad dollars dry up, the complicated showmanship is helping roadside marketing companies stay afloat, Los Angeles Times reports.

Aarrow Advertising, which charges $25 an hour for its spinners' services, says job inquiries have jumped 60% this year. And as the number of spinners rises, so does the competition. Matt Doolan, winner of the first-ever West Coast sign spinning championship, says he's not worried: "I have even more tricks up my sleeve." (More marketing stories.)