Agree with OP about the sketchup method. It is highly effective tool. But I think in that case it is a simple billboard? It always faces the same way, one sided. Works just fine for this purpose. So really all we need is a card object with an image of a man/woman on it... Right?.. well, Im sure making it work is more complex as far as programming. But thats the idea right?
Jo, I will gladly make something for you. You can have all rights unconditionally at no cost whatsoever. Just tell me what you need, and how you need it. Something you can put into TG and it will always be there like the landmarks, although renderable would be very nice.