Word of Mouse creates mini-billboards for Web sites

BOULDER — Why somebody would want to put Web-site advertisements on mouse pads isn’t the question.

What’s curious is why no one, until now, thought of doing it on a national basis.

Word of Mouse sells advertising on mouse pads and gives them to select schools and colleges. It’s a simple venture whose market characteristics — growing, previously unknown and very specific — call to mind an almost textbook ideal for successful business.

Owner Bill Flagg, 28, said the idea came out of another business began in 1989…