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Those of you who have stepped onto the subway recently might have noticed a new series of advertisements featuring famous quotes from the likes of everyone from Edith Wharton to Galileo. The sponsor of the subway's most intellectual wallpaper? Alma Mater, naturally.

It's unclear what benefits the University is receiving (if any) by having its name plastered next to advertisements for law firms specializing in asbestos malpractice. Though against the backdrop of the sordid history of subway posters (remember The Tudors? The Six Degrees disasters of 2006?), Bwog's actually quite grateful for the quote-ads.

Read more: A Land Of Both Shadow And Substance, Subways

May 17, 2008 @ 5:28 PM | Comments 13 comments | Add comment Post a comment | Link to this article | | Email this post | Share on Facebook

Posted by anybody go: [#1] [reply] [track]
( posted May 17, 2008 at 5:54 PM ) (from campus)
to latino graduation?

i now have a crush on roosevelt montas
Posted by ...: [#2] [reply] [track]
( posted May 17, 2008 at 5:56 PM ) (from campus)
notice the the black strip at the bottom, it indicates that it's an MTA house ad (PSA). probably something related to programs like arts on transit.
Posted by bwog's: [#3] [reply] [track]
( posted May 17, 2008 at 7:41 PM )
criteria for relevance are getting weaker and weaker
Posted by numanu: [#4] [reply] [track]
( posted May 17, 2008 at 11:02 PM )
the tudor's posters take the cake for the best subway ads ever. especially the one near westside market at 110 outside, anyone?
Posted by posters: [#5] [reply] [track]
( posted May 17, 2008 at 11:12 PM ) (from campus)
They have them on buses too.
Posted by mmtasty: [#6] [reply] [track]
( posted May 18, 2008 at 1:22 AM )
jonathan rhys meyers is so hot
Posted by according to : [#7] [reply] [track]
( posted May 18, 2008 at 1:37 AM )
a gothamist post from a month or two ago, columbia GSAS helps choose what quotes are put on the ads.
Posted by poetry: [#8] [reply] [track]
( posted May 18, 2008 at 2:27 AM )
also great are the (barnes and noble sponsored?) poems that crop up every now and again on the subways. they've been around for a while longer, but they brighten my rides.
Posted by subway patron: [#9] [reply] [track]
( posted May 18, 2008 at 11:53 AM )
i would much rather look at these than another ad for DR ZIZMOR!
Posted by creflo a. dollar: [#10] [reply] [track] (in reply to #9)
( posted May 18, 2008 at 9:12 PM )
i agree. local businesses like dr. zizmor's groundbreaking work in dermatology and my pseudo-religious get-rich-quick-by-praying books are hurt by the presence of a behemoth like columbia in the subway advertising marked.

STOP GENTRIFYING THE SUBWAY!!!
Posted by DR ZIZMOR: [#11] [reply] [track]
( posted May 19, 2008 at 7:16 PM ) (from campus)
is a true american hero
Posted by MF Doom: [#12] [reply] [track]
( posted May 19, 2008 at 7:40 PM )
It’s no puzzle, you could ask Doctor Zizmor

The slow guzzle got ‘cha nizzle crooked like Biz' jaw
Posted by Veronica: [#13] [reply] [track]
( posted May 21, 2008 at 4:26 PM )
These have been around for about five years now. A grad from my high school who works at B&N started the campaign. However, after a short hiatus, they've returned for the first time with Columbia sponsorship. Maybe it has to do with B&N being our campus bookstore? not their first collaboration.
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