Sheepvertising
The week's news at a glance.
Skarsterlan, Netherlands
A Dutch firm has begun advertising its services on the backs of sheep. Hotels.nl, an online reservations company, emblazoned its logo on blankets that were slung over 12 dozen sheep in flocks across the Netherlands. The hope is that motorists tootling along country roads will find the live ads more charming than stationary billboards. But the town of Skarsterlan, which bans all roadside ads, was not amused, and this week officials levied fines against the company. “My first reaction was a smile—it is very creative,” said Skarsterlan Mayor Bert Kuiper. “My second reaction is that we have to stop this. If we start with sheep, then next it’s the cows and horses.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
What should you be stockpiling for 'World War Three'?
In the Spotlight Britons advised to prepare after the EU tells its citizens to have an emergency kit just in case
By Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, The Week UK Published
-
Carnivore diet: why people are eating only meat
The Explainer 'Meatfluencers' are taking social media by storm but experts warn meat-only diets have health consequences
By Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, The Week UK Published
-
Scientists want to fight malaria by poisoning mosquitoes with human blood
Under the radar Drugging the bugs
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published