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A London family have become the first in the country to sell the naming rights to their home - to the sponsors of The X Factor.
Darren and Elaine Snow agreed to call their house TalkTalk Towers in exchange for £250 from the phone company.
The couple, from Sanderstead, Croydon, are among 50 that the firm hopes to sign up to its advertising gimmick, in which properties will also get titles such as TalkTalk Mansions and TalkTalk House. It follows the trend of sports club owners selling rights to the names of their venues.
Mr and Mrs Snow, who have two sons, John, 11, and Michael, nine, said selling their home's name was an easy way to make money.
Plumber Mr Snow, 41, said: "When we were approached by the company we just laughed - it seemed silly not to take them up on the opportunity.
"You still keep your door number but you just ask friends and family to add your house name. It has made us chuckle receiving our bills and bank statements with the new address on the front."
Mrs Snow, 33, a teaching assistant, added: "Everyone says your house is your biggest asset so it makes sense to make the most of it."
TalkTalk struck a reported multi-million-pound deal to sponsor this year's series of The X Factor, including an alleged £500,000 for the final shows last weekend,won by 18-year-old Joe McElderry.
Mr and Mrs Snow, who had backed runner-up Olly Murs, said: "We watched all of the show. Olly should have won - he was more of an entertainer and you could relate to his style and personality."
TalkTalk spokesman Mark Schmid said: "We thought that if the great sporting and cultural arenas of the nation can be renamed then why not individual homes? We will see more and more of this sort of thing."
Taking the title
* Newcastle United's owner, Mike Ashley, renamed the club's ground sportsdirect.com@StJames'Park Stadium after his sportswear chain.
Britain's biggest naming rights deal is for Arsenal's Emirates Stadium, part of an agreement worth £100 million to the club.
* Last month it was suggested Lord's cricket ground could carry a brand name to fund a £400 million development. Lord's later said it would never sell naming rights.
Reader views (4)
I think it's a great idea.
- Kc, Monster Munch Manor, Upminster, 15/12/2009 15:26
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Quite absurd and frightening how cheaply they sell themselves! I'd certainly demand a much higher premium before considering such a stupid idea.
- Mg, London, 15/12/2009 14:12
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What a ridiculous concept.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, the Scottish one, 15/12/2009 12:14
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Sad, sad people, why don't they go the whole hog and sell the naming rights for their kids. Or they could be called Mr and Mrs Talk Talk
- David, London, 15/12/2009 09:02
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