Post-It Note Car Stolen by 3M (for Post It Note contest merchandising)

Post-it Notes Contest Display at an office supply store

The folks from 3M (the Post It Notes people) contacted me through Flickr more than a year after my 2006 Post It Notes car photos had become a phenomenon.

Michelle Gebbie, eMarketing Supervisor from 3M Office Supplies Division, was seeking permission from me to use the Post It Note Car photos in marketing materials for a contest that the photos had inspired.

I responded, asking her where the photos would be used and what their budget was. She responded saying that they would be used for 6 months on in-store displays, and that they would not pay more than it would cost for them to copy our car and take their own photos. I respectfully asked for a little more than that and she stopped returning emails.

They really did do a good job copying it, didn't they? Even Walt thought it was his own car. Now I am getting tons of comments and notes from people saying "I saw your photo at Staples" (or OfficeMax, Office Depot, etc.). Look at their YouTube video. Clearly they wanted people to see it in the store and think it was the same car they'd seen before on Flickr and YouTube.

Was written up here and picked up lots of places.