In the 1920s, a company called Burma Shave — producers of brushless shaving cream — started putting signs up that delighted and educated drivers. These signs would run in succession down the road, delivering rhyming and sometimes clever lines, and they would always end with the Burma Shave logo. This simple yet clever idea propelled sales of Burma Shave, making them one of the nation’s most successful shaving cream companies.
The company was sold in the early 60s, which meant an end to these iconic outdoor signs. However, outdoor advertising lives on despite the rise of digital advertising.
Why bother with outdoor advertising?
Okay, digital advertising is all the rage; however, outdoor advertising — which includes billboards, bus stop ads, banners, and pretty much anything advertising outdoors is still an effective way to build your brand. Not only do they offer generous real estate for the ad itself, but they also can be used in a variety of clever, attention-grabbing ways. Plus, they’re cost-effective and probably one of our favorite media. Here are a few examples.
University of Louisville
We’re unsure if this billboard is still up, but it used to sit off I-64 between Lexington and Louisville. While not as harsh as the Smith & Wollensky ad above, it is still a great example of a clever billboard that knocks a rival down a peg or two. In this case, the University of Kentucky.
This goes to show that placement can be just as powerful as a headline as long as they’re both working together.
Fun with lighting.
With outdoor ads, creativity is nearly unlimited. Check out this very powerful billboard for the BBC’s version of Dracula and notice how it changes from day to night.
Fun in 3D.
3D ads on digital billboards are some of the flashiest of all the ads. They’re visually striking and will definitely catch your attention. Check these out.
Make your brand stand out.
Some people might not like that outdoor media isn’t inherently trackable, but there’s no question that outdoor can make a significant impact in the right creative hands. Plus, you don’t have to be Nike on a 3D board to drive brand awareness and sales. Just think about how Burma Shave caught on just because people loved their ads. We can do the same for you. Contact us, and let’s get started.
One more for good measure.
