According to a recent study, 57% of US adults have typed their name into a search engine.

The study, which was carried out by Pew Internet & American Life Project, also found that users are becoming increasingly aware of their online reputation.

The growing tendency of Googling yourself (the study concluded a 10% rise from 2006) was something an ad creative Alec Brownstein picked up on while job-hunting.

With a budget of only $6 Alec bought Google adwords for five US creative agency directors. So, when they Googled themselves, the sponsored result on the top of the page had a witty message from Alec.

“Hey [creative director's name]: Googling yourself is a lot of fun. Hiring me is fun, too.”

The stunt resulted in four interviews, two job offers and two advertising awards. Alec is currently working as a senior copywriter at Young & Rubicam.

Scott Vitrone, Alec’s new boss, described the stunt as “just beautifully simple”.

He said: “We thought it was fun. We thought it was smart. The biggest thing was, Alec on his part did what we try to do for our clients every day. We’re trying to engage the consumer in that very way. He was really kind of displaying what we want our people to do here every day.”

Sources: Mashable, The Globe and Mail