Wednesday, July 1, 2009

billboards that work without CTR

The disturbing billboard shown on the front page of today's New York Times reminds me of the power of an analog medium that (because of slashed budgets?) seems to be enjoying a creative revival of sorts. We all know what outdoor did for Ashton Kutcher. And there was good showing this year in Outdoor Category at Cannes.  (Though my own Grand Prix would have gone to BBDO's ingenious cross-platform idea.)

Here's a few more examples of creative use of the medium, in case you're looking for concepts to steal today. (Thanks, GardenBroad.) Sorry, no attributions. Please comment if you've got credit info.







15 comments:

Jamie Croft said...

Great Post!
Yes, we creatives HAVE to think of better ways to get attention. People are so ad blind. So, we have our work cut out for us. Not only in coming up with the ideas, but trying to get the clients to agree as well.
The examples you have are great!
My Favorite is the Bic.

Thanks again.

Marla Erwin said...

Love all the creative ideas. I am bothered, however, by the Mr Clean ad's appropriation of non-advertising space (clever though it is).

It's probably inevitable that everything from stoplights to toilet tissue will have ads someday, but I'm hoping those boundaries stay clear just a little longer. The public resistance to Microsoft's sidewalk ads a few years ago (http://bit.ly/YBi5P) does give me some hope.

Ad Broad, oldest working writer in advertising said...

@Jamie Thanks. Agreed. Glad the Bic, um, clicked ;)

@Marla Great link, thanks. Forgot about those controversial butterflies. I find myself longing for ad boundaries, too, when crappy concepts cross over to odd places: visual pollution. But when OOH is clever...like Zappos appropriation of airline shoe bins...or sidewalk graffitti for (Baboo?) lingerie: "From here it looks like you need new underwear", ha...I'm glad for the smile and cut it a break. Placement is everything, tho. As illustrated by bland promo for sushi that becomes offensive when placed unappetizingly...on door of a restroom. http://bissellator.conquent.com/blogimg/sushiad.jpg

Anonymous said...

These are absolutely amazing. I love adslike this that just WORK! It is pity there aren't more of them around.
I love the bic one too. Thankyou.

You can find articles on allsorts of things like fashion, art, design, celebrity, film, photography, illustration and animation written in a friendly and informative way on http://trendspiration.blogspot.com/.

Pyzahn said...

It's a tie. I have you beat on the age, but you win with the "working" part.

I started in advertising in about 1972 in Atlanta with all the hot shots migrating from NYC trying to build a new market for their talent. I also started as a secretary, went on to be a broadcast producer, hated dealing with the massive egos and switched to the marketing side as a CLIENT.

I got into advertising because of Stan Freeburg. I loved his radio commercials. But these outdoor creations you've posted are pretty darn clever, too.

Know of any freelance work for marketing dinosaurs?

Blogpost said...

FULL GOOD INFORMATIONS,CREATIVE!!
SUCCESS..FOR YOU DEAR FRIEND.

pri! said...

Whoaa..awesome!! ;D

Helen Sitanggang said...

you are good advertiser

Ad Broad, oldest working writer in advertising said...

@Anonymous @Pyzahn @Blogpost @pri! @ Helen Sitanggang Thanks for generous read and kind words, new friends :)

Anonymous said...

That was some amazing stuff.

Anonymous said...

How inventive (and creative)! I can't help but laugh. Don't worry, I'll steal some of them for my blog. (With credits, of course).

mammootty said...

creative ideas...
gud luck...

Erica Hoffman said...

hahah I haven't laughed so hard i ages.

I know what i want to gdo when im older now, thank you =D

jali free said...

very creatif promosion with uniqe banner:).
blog walking, around here from indonesian. please come to my site anytime if you hafe. thankx

Musync said...

Great pictures, thanks for an awesome post ... love all the information that I read on this blog and definitely love all the pictures.

I especially love the sneeze and dropped calls ads.

Thx.