Unregulated projection ads have made their way from metropolitan areas to Ames. City officials said the city may consider regulating the ads if they become more prevalent.

“Simple ideas seem to always work the best,” said Alex Yakobson, owner of the Grillhouse on Stanton, 216 Stanton Ave., who brought the concept to Ames. “It’s been my attitude in everything I do, business-wise.”

Yakobson’s idea was to place a slide projector in his office across the street and illuminate the west side of Cyclone Plaza, 200 Stanton Ave., with advertisements for his business.

He said he chose to use this method of advertisement because he felt that the prices to run ads in the local papers were too high. He also wanted to make sure his ad would be noticed.

“When you advertise in print, you really don’t know how many people will see it,” Yakobson said. “I know that an ad this big that changes frequently is bound to catch the eye of anyone in the area.”

Other businesses in Campustown asked Yakobson to run their advertisements in the projector. Legends, 119 Stanton Ave.; Lava Java, 200 Stanton Ave.; and Club 8, 216 Stanton Ave., have also had ads beaming on the side of the complex on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

Yakobson said he doesn’t charge the other businesses to run their ads, he only asks that they put up posters for his business in their establishments.

City Manager Steve Schainker said this form of advertisement is not yet regulated in Ames and, depending on whether the trend takes off, may have to be regulated in the future.

“I think it’s an interesting way of using landmarks around your business to advertise,” said David Maahs, director of the Ames Chamber of Commerce.

“The question is whether or not it is too distracting to the residents in that area.”

There have been no complaints about the projected ads from the residents of Cyclone Plaza or the surrounding buildings. Ev Cochrane, owner of Cyclone Plaza, said he doesn’t object to the ads on his buildings.

Students in the area have also taken notice to the unique advertising.

“I definitely noticed it when it first came up,” said Steve Schlautman, senior in management. “I just hope a bunch of those ads don’t start popping up and become eyesores on Campustown.”

Yakobson’s projector advertisement is the only one of its kind in Ames.

“I don’t think I did anything special with this idea,” Yakobson said.

“I just saw something that hadn’t been done here before and I did it.”