Her face is everywhere. She’s one of the hundreds of stock photography faces (and it may be limited to hundreds) that grace web sites, advertising, and product literature, well, everywhere.

In this case, though, one girl’s face has risen to the level of absurd ubiquity. She represents Dell, Greyhound, Gateway, the U.S. government, UPS, BBC and numerous other companies and agencies. The Inquirer calls her the “Everywhere Girl,” and today released a story citing Everywhere Girl spottings in every imaginable setting across the globe.

It’s a great example of the proliferation of obnoxious, happy, smiling faces that we see every day. People who have nothing to do with the company, its products, and its services, that are supposed to make us feel good about doing business with these companies. It’s a byproduct of globalization: the inevitable blandification of our world, a world where all threat and all substance is removed. Because with substance comes the risk that there will be a factual basis for rejecting a product or service. Without substance, customers make decisions on the basis of the smiling people in your advertising, and your color palette, which is great while acid green and light grey are in fashion, but is not a sustainable business model.

My advice to business communicators? As far as information goes, get back to straightforward communications about products, services and the value your business offers to its customers. Don’t worry so much about downloading images of pretty people to glam up your web site. If you need photos, digital cameras are cheap and good. Create your own stock photography with real pictures of your products, customers, business partners, employees, families and friends. (But get a release. Nothing breaks up a relationship or a family faster than a lawsuit.)