Greenwich graduate's Buymyface website makes £50,000 (From This Is Local London)

Greenwich graduate's Buymyface website makes £50,000

9:00am Sunday 7th October 2012 in News By Mark Chandler

ONE year ago, two graduates decided to literally sell their own bodies to pay off student debts.

Ross Harper, from Blackheath Standard and friend Ed Moyse came up with their madcap scheme over a Pot Noodle - instead of leaving university and getting a job, why not sell their faces as advertising space?

Twelve months on, the pair's journey has taken them to France, landed them an Olympic role and, most importantly, made them £50,000.

Mr Harper, 22, said: "In a nut shell, it worked.

"For 366 days, myself and my best friend from university sold advertising space on our faces in an attempt to raise enough money to completely pay off our combined student debt.

"The project finished having made just over £50,000. "We've had a roller coaster ride this last year, with work taking us skiing in the French Alps, jumping out of aeroplanes, and landing us the role of Youth Ambassadors for the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympics, approved by the International Olympic Committee."

Their faces were booked by all kinds of advertisers, from bookmakers wanting their odds displayed, to sports clubs and major retailers.

Mr Moyse said: "We knew the idea was a bit wacky - that was one of the reasons it stood out.

"But we also knew the power of viral online marketing, which is why we took our idea to the internet. Now, BuyMyFace.com receives thousands of hits a day."

Rather than rest on their laurels, the two friends are now starting a new venture - an iPhone photo-sharing app called What's This?

Mr Harper said: "We hope to show creative young Brits that now is the time to have a go.

"If you're a creative person with a good idea, the technology industry is a great place to make a big impact at an early age."