Wednesday, July 8, 2026
ADVT 
Interesting

Tom Hanks used as physical distance marker

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 17 Jul, 2020 10:09 PM
  • Tom Hanks used as physical distance marker

It could be "A Beautiful Day In The Neighbourhood" if you come across a life-sized decal of Tom Hanks in downtown Toronto.

Images of the Oscar-winning actor have been laid on the ground outside of two government-run liquor stores in the city's downtown, using his six-foot frame to help customers maintain their physical distance in line.

The decals show a bespectacled Hanks in a suit above the caption "'Hanks for keeping your distance."

The non-profit initiative was developed by Public Inc., a Toronto-based marketing agency, with the aim of injecting some fun into physical distancing.

"We were a bit concerned that people were going to let down their guard, that they weren't going to be as vigilant about mask-wearing and physically distancing," said Phillip Haid, the co-founder and CEO of Public Inc., on Friday. "That's what led us to ask, 'What would it take to remind people?'"

Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson were diagnosed with COVID-19 in March, and both have since recovered from the illness.

"The idea was born with Tom Hanks because he was the first celebrity to get COVID-19 with his wife — and he happens to be six-feet tall," said Haid.

Haid also pointed out that Hanks has been outspoken in telling people to wear masks to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus since recovering from the disease.

Although the decals are only outside two LCBO locations so far, the campaign will expand to more locations of the provincial government's liquor store chain and to some coffee shops, Haid said. He said the company came up with the project for "the public good."

Haid added that it won't just be in Toronto but at some point may be expanded to New York City, where his company has another office.

It's not clear whether Hanks himself is aware of the campaign.

Public Inc., purchased the rights to the photo, Haid said, and he hopes it will catch the actor's attention.

A message left with Hanks's publicist by The Canadian Press on Friday was not immediately returned.

MORE Interesting ARTICLES

Debate Over Transgender Bathroom Access Spreads In US

Debate Over Transgender Bathroom Access Spreads In US
The upshot, in virtually every case, has been emotional debate over privacy, personal safety and prejudice.

Debate Over Transgender Bathroom Access Spreads In US

Nasty Viral Illness Among Alberta Wildfire Evacuees Increases, Spreads

Nasty Viral Illness Among Alberta Wildfire Evacuees Increases, Spreads
Alberta Health Services says that as of Monday afternoon, there were 105 cases reported in the Edmonton zone of people suffering from fever, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Nasty Viral Illness Among Alberta Wildfire Evacuees Increases, Spreads

Budweiser Becomes 'America.' Drink Up. Or Not

Budweiser Becomes 'America.' Drink Up. Or Not
Budweiser, now owned by Belgium's AB Inbev, will rename its beer "America" this summer and alter its labels with images and phrases affiliated with the republic.

Budweiser Becomes 'America.' Drink Up. Or Not

New bilingual children’s book captivates, educates and dazzles

New bilingual children’s book captivates, educates and dazzles
Nurtured and nuzzled • Retainers and petted , is designed specifically for bilingual education starting at an early age in a fun and entertaining way.

New bilingual children’s book captivates, educates and dazzles

Dating Website Offers To Pair Canadians, Americans Fleeing A Donald Trump Presidency

Dating Website Offers To Pair Canadians, Americans Fleeing A Donald Trump Presidency
A new dating website is offering to pair Americans with Canadian singles to save them from a Donald Trump presidency.

Dating Website Offers To Pair Canadians, Americans Fleeing A Donald Trump Presidency

Parents Choose To Break Daughter's Leg Three Times A Day For Four Months To Avoid Amputation

Parents Choose To Break Daughter's Leg Three Times A Day For Four Months To Avoid Amputation
The young couple had to make the awful decision to have their four-year-old's leg broken a total of 300 times over four months - that's three times a day 

Parents Choose To Break Daughter's Leg Three Times A Day For Four Months To Avoid Amputation