[rob74]

I think it's all a question of finding the right measure: in Germany there are strict rules for advertisement (for example you won't see giant billboards like in the US anywhere, flashing/animated ads are also strictly limited etc.), but a complete ban like in Sao Paulo might be overshooting the target. I grew up in socialist Romania, and the Sao Paulo photos from the article remind me of how a typical Romanian city used to look back then - still an eyesore, but a very drab one...