Even in times of severe budgetary crisis, WMATA still has to advertise itself. And what better way to reverse the public’s negative opinion about random bag searches, constant maintenance, annoying talking buses, broken escalators, confusing fare structures and so forth than with some state of the art “guerrilla” marketing! Kytja Weir reports that the agency is going to try and get your attention the same way your local emo band does.

In an interesting move, Alexandria Public Schools has hired Alan Hilburg, the marketing guy behind Wendy’s “Where’s the Beef?” campaign to improve the system’s reputation. Hilburg has also worked for such beleaguered public figures as Don Imus and Leona Helmsley to restore their reputation. Alexandria’s school system, home to the under-performing high school T.C. Williams, hopes to better sell themselves to potential donors and volunteers. While Hilburg will not be making much for his services,…