WITH the present MTV-reared generation having she attention span of a disorientated gerbil, only advertisers who shriek the loudest, or are the most shocking or innovative in presentation, can command a few valuable seconds of the public's undivided attention. The latest commercial invasion of the senses is more subtle and comes courtesy of the latest technology. The sensory organs of passengers waiting at ten selected bus shelters in Britain this week will be assailed aroma therapy from an illuminated advertisement, promoting the new Batik range of citrus soft drinks from Del Monte. A citrus fragrance is automatically released by an infra red device when someone moves within grange.

Young & Rubicam, which devised the campaign, hopes that the fragrance will provide a "topic of conversation" for passenger waiting interminable for the next bus. With the public's reluctance never to talk with strangers in public places this would be an achievement not be sniffed at.