Honk if You Can Read This Sign spinning has morphed from curbside oddity to performance art--and a surprisingly effective way for a startup to grab attention.

Blog ads or cable television? E-mail marketing or direct mail? When you're sizing up advertising options, don't underestimate the power of riding a big red arrow like a bucking bronco.

Sidewalk sign spinners, long used to lure Sunday drivers into housing developments and car dealerships, are rapidly conquering new turf: concert venues, movie openings, restaurants, magazines and cell phone services. Especially in warm climes, such as Florida and Southern California, this guerilla marketing technique has evolved into a profitable form of street performance.