What are they? Who stands to benefit? Who is funding these strange ventures? Residents of Los Angeles and many metropolitain areas are well accustomed to seeing the plethora of advertisements on all manner of physical objects and spaces.

Recently, there has been a rise in what seem to be ads which baffle the average consumer. Found on leaflets, coasters, key chains, bus shelters, and even one proported sighting on a billboard, are ads for businesses run by fictional cartoons and purporting extraordinary services.

Whether this is some elaborate prank by a performance artist, a self-amusing billionaire, or an instigator with more nefarious motives remains to be seen. In this city, eccentric characters are not just common, they’re expected, woven into the fabric of an entertainment capital where people come to be noticed.

Seeking attention without capitalizing on it in a traditional way is nothing new. Actors and performers have long used various methods to entice the limelight, and some have even become famous simply for being famous. Mixed in are the real-life local businesses that simply seeking community connection. Following the breadcrumbs seems to be the only surefire method of inquiry. Perhaps this is just a quirk of modern life, where media consumption grows increasingly siloed, shaping fragmented perceptions of reality. How does pure fiction blur into these diverging versions of the world around us? I find myself both confused and amused—if not a little curious. Have you witnessed strange sightings like these? Contact our Editorial department and let us know!