At the rate we're going, a scene like this is really only about five minutes into the future. Consider some recent topics discussed in this very space, including locative media and holograms. The third ingredient in this scenario is the concept of smart ads, which are designed to pitch to the consumer very specifically by gathering maximum contextual information instantly.
One example is Google's monstrously successful ad system, which
monitors keywords in your web searches to provide targeted
advertisements. Microsoft recently demo'd some up-and-coming
technologies in this area, at corporate HQ in Redmond. One technology
uses voice recognition to analyze video and audio clips, then generates
targeted ads based on the content being discussed. Change the topic,
and watch the ads change along in real time. Another program analyzes video to determine the least disruptive spot in which to drop a corporate logo or message. So, for instance, a logo might jump from the bottom right corner to the upper left, depending on the on-screen action. Still another prototype demonstrates how film directors and other media makers could leverage "virtual product placement," in which the same movie would display different placements -- green-screen style -- depending on the venue.
Inevitably, as our network devices become smaller and more mobile (and eventually sub-dermal), these smart ads will be piped through, into, and around our variously wired selves. For all practical purposes, smart ads will follow us around. It's just a matter of time before the billboards start talking to us, one-on-one, all personal-like…
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