Tooting student aims to make balloon an internet sensation
5:00pm Wednesday 1st February 2012 in Bizarre By Alexandra Rucki
A student has embarked on an unusual way to win herself a place on a graduate scheme, by asking people to help trace a yellow balloon.
Melissa Gillespie, 22, of Finborough Road, Tooting, aims to make her balloon Balloo an internet sensation in the hope of winning a place on the Saatchi Saatchi graduate scheme.
The Kings College student has set up a Facebook page and is asking people who see yellow balloons to upload them, as well as posting pictures they have staged themselves.
Her project began in Tooting last week and has already gone international, with Facebook fans posting pictures of balloons in Africa, Paris and China.
She now plans to display Balloo in the Construction Gallery in Upper Tooting Road, and has made a short film to complement the project.
She will win the competition if she gets the most Facebook fans and will be awarded with a paid job at the advertising network.
Miss Gillespie said: "I chose Balloo the balloon, working in much the same vein as 'Where's Wally?' but with a missing campaign aspect to it whereby Ballo has run away and people need to find him.
"Balloons are slowly being dispersed around Wandsworth and central areas of London in unlikely places. If you see one, take a photo and link it to the page.
"The project is all about having fun and getting people involved."
Visit facebook.com/wheresballoo
