As consumers we receive over 3,000 advertising messages everyday of our lives. According to a new report from Universal McCann, we might be seeing ads anywhere we go. Their report shows that the next advertising medium will be online navigational maps. Whether you’re looking for the nearest fast food joint or hotel, your going to be bombarded online with suggestions from sponsors. The report, TrendMarket, has dubbed the new advertising medium “Mapvertising.”

I think this form of “mapvertising” will become effective as the internet and online marketing grows. Traditionally, local services such as restaurants and hotels would promote their services through brochure maps. Travelers are becoming increasily tech-savvy and utilize mapping systems and internet map web sites to find their target or suggested destination points. Universal believes that a paid icon ad listing on maps are going to become a popular extension to online search. “On some map sites, these sponsored listings appear as little balloons which, when clicked, provide detailed information about the location, services, and often a method of contact of the advertiser.”