The City is embarking on an enormous campaign to not only brand the city, but to market it as well. The City has asked companies to present their best ideas for NYC-licensed products, so the city can reap the financial windfall (think about all the NYPD and FDNY gear out there) and also control the quality of goods that have that special NYC imprimatur. In the grand tradition of the iffy Snapple deal and the more recent History Channel partnership, the city's marketing agency is leaving very few stones unturned, noting there's a wide array of products yet-untapped for their shilling potential - "snow globes, mouse pads, golf balls, gift wrap, hair accessories, earmuffs, gloves, scarves and loungewear." The City's marketing website says that the city agencies who are up for fair marketing game are the NYPD, FDNY, Department of Parks & Recreation, Taxi & Limousine Commission, Department of Sanitation, Department of Transportation and the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting. Gothamist would like taxi driver's seat beads, a Film & TV Commission-authorized craft service table - complete with food - and some Department of Sanitation salt (to melt the snow), please. Oh, and the City says it's not selling the city to the highest bidder but rather "creating public-private partnerships that benefit all New Yorkers." If so, then there better be more money going to the MTA after this, pal!

Gothamist scanned the 62-page PDF of the marketing RFP, and we were struck by the idea of NYC accessories for the home. Could a bedroom accessory be some sort of alarm clock with sirens, car alarms, and noisy people partying? And for the kitchen, cockroaches and rat droppings? Will the Department of Sanitation make a trashcan for backyard fires? And our biggest fear: Mayor Bloomberg briefs.

Right now, the city does have its City Store, where you can get manhole coasters as well as an "official NYC squirrel" (there's no pigeon, just a do not feed the pigeons sign, as well as the do not feed the squirrels and pigeons version). And there's a pretty cool umbrella with the City Seal.