A French company (figures they would be the first) called Olf-Action has developed a unit that works in conjunction with your TV to produce smells which will enhance your TV experience. The genius invention is call a SMELLIT. You can enjoy many of your favorite titles in epic "Odoravision" including; Charlie and the Chcolate Factory, Oliver Twist and (oddly enough) Saving Private Ryan. Is anyone else slightly curious about the last one?
This is where smell-o-vision becomes relevant to us advertising junkies; Imagine the effectiveness of a McDonald's commercial if the smell of a Big Mac came wafting out of a SMELLIT unit, and into the living room full of hungry teenagers. McD's run, anyone?
The concept sounds silly, but it's gaining hype pretty quickly. An article from The Week online states that Samsung has jumped on board this smelly science and is developing a unit which attaches to your TV, capable of producing 10,000 different smells! Quite an improvement from the Rugrats Go Wild Scratch and Sniff cards.
If this idea takes off in the mainstream market, the advertising world will take a whole new direction. I for one, would be quite excited to wake up to the smell of coffee... or rather, a Maxwell House commercial.