Would you put an ad on your car for free gas?

A new Treasure Valley advertising firm is preparing to launch a promotion offering local motorists free gasoline each month in exchange for displaying a company's advertising on their cars and trucks.

Outside Advertising Specialists of Southwest Idaho Inc. expects to launch its FreeGasHelp-Boise promotion later this month, said founder Chad Smith, a certified public accountant turned entrepreneur.

"But this is going to be my full-time thing now," said Smith, who limits his accounting work these days to running the numbers for Hangers Unlimited, a Seattle-based manufacturer of airplane hangers. "So people will be able to be out driving around and earning free gas cards at the same time."

Smith said his promotion will offer motorists gift cards with values ranging from $5 a month - for a license plate frame displaying a company's advertising - to $200 a month for a motorist willing to drive around in a vehicle with a NASCAR-like full body wrap. For those wanting something in between, there will $30 gasoline gift cards for vehicles using magnets on each car door to display ads.

The gift cards will be redeemable at any Chevron station in the Treasure Valley, he said.

Smith bought the FreeGasHelp franchise for Ada and Canyon County from California-based Outside Advertising Specialists, which he said has been marketing the use of commercial and private vehicles as advertising platforms nationwide. Smith said OAS's client list includes everything from small business to Fortune 500 companies.

OAS marketing director Mel Jacobs said the FreeGasHelp concept is available through franchises in all 50 states.

"There is no charge to the consumer," Jacobs said. "We get paid by the advertiser when their spot gets sold."

Jacob said OAS clients include State Farm and Allstate insurance companies, Toyota, the Subway sandwich chain, Time Warner Cable and Cricket cell phone service.

Here's how it works: A consumer registers on the local FreeGasHelp Web site. OAS's clients review the vehicles available.

They often base their decisions on whether the color of the vehicle complements the company's advertising and whether the vehicle travels in heavily congested areas where the advertising will reach the most people. Motorists have the option to approve or decline an advertiser's request to use their vehicles.

"We're very much like a dating service, only we match cars and advertisers," Jacob said.

Smith said all of OAS's national sponsors will be available to advertise on Treasure Valley vehicles, as well as any additional local accounts he can sign.

"It's going to be interesting to see how this goes," he said. "But I know that it's working all around the country."

His company will not ask motorists to carry ads promoting alcohol or tobacco-related products on their vehicles.

Residents interested in participating can register on Smith's Web site, www.freegashelp-boise.com.

Joe Estrella: 377-6465