Here's a new wrinkle: an inflatable billboard that is portable and works on both water and land. It's the creation of bbi Display Systems of Malibu, Calif. Just haul it to its destination and plop it down, whether out on the ocean, on a lake or river or beach, or in a traffic island of a busy highway. 

“It’s the only product of its size and kind that works,” says Peter Fleck, president of event services company Sliders Inc. of Windermere, Fla., which has used the inflatable billboards at various watersport events, including a pro water skiing competition at Disney World.

Each billboard measures 12-feet long by 16-feet tall, and they can be linked together to create a bigger display. The structures are held in place by anchors. The ads are on printable mesh banners, allowing air to flow through so they don't blow over during high winds. Because the banners are attached to the inflatable frame, they can be easily changed even during the course of an event.

The billboards are available with optional accessories, including night lighting kits, as well as a motion-activated sound system that can play a jingle or a recorded message.