The top 2016 billboard trends have seen a variety of different patterns, most notably ones that infuse technology into what was once a traditional advertising platform, as well as billboards that promote causes related to social justice.
One of the more prominent trends that could be observed this past year was brands taking advantage of bus shelters to engage and interact with consumers. One such example is the 'Made to Move' campaign by the brand 'Lucozade' – which sells sports drinks. The campaign featured a bus shelter with a 'Wait Training' program that encouraged commuters to exercise along with the video that is featured – with participants receiving a sports drink at the end. The unique campaign worked to engage consumers, improved brand perception and worked towards a good cause – promoting health and fitness. Trend Hunter's 2017 Trend Report is packed with ideas and innovations that are related to engaging modern day consumers in similar ways.
As this past year has been one of great change and upheaval, it is unsurprising that brands, charities and individuals would take the time to promote good causes on widely seen marketing platforms such as billboards. An example of this is the anti-homophobia billboard by the non-profit 'Planting Peace,' – which reveals an image of the politicians Donald Trump and Ted Cruz kissing along with the quote "Love Trumps Hate" – now a war cry of sorts for anti-Trump protesters and pro-Hillary and Bernie supporters.
Top 80 Billboard Trends of 2016
From Fitness-Boosting Bus Shelters to Anti-Homophobia Billboards:
Mishal Omar — Jan 30, 2017 — Marketing
80
Motion-Sensing Interactive Ads
Walkers Brand Created a Unqiuely Interactive Street Advertisement
79
Marketing Street Performances
This Stunt Was Used to Engage Consumers One-on-One and Digitally
78
Comedic Mother's Day Ads
The Agency 'Mother New York' Put a Creative Spin on Mother's Day
77
Unmissable Bus Advertisements
This Bus Advertisement from Out of Home Media Refuses to Go Unseen
76
Urban Garden Billboards
This Billboard by Wildstone in London Doubles as a Community Garden
75
Humorous Banking Billboards
These Comical Bank Ads Encourage Customers to Hold Back on App Use
74
Interactive Vertical Billboards
Tom Wiscombe's Novel Billboard Design Will Go Up in Los Angeles
73
Villainous Film Posters
These Suicide Squad Posters Pay Tribute to Each of the Characters
72
Reverse Psychology Ads
The Text and Drive Campaign for a Funeral Home Focuses on Real Consequences
71
Ultramodern Karaoke Bar Branding
This Karaoke Bar Branding Features Vibrant Geometrical Imagery
70
Slide Puzzle Billboards
This Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Ad is Styled Like a Word Puzzle
69
Motion-Tracking Billboards
This Ad for the Snowden Movie Puts the Public Under Surveillance
68
Political Estate Billboards
Jeff Cook Real Estate Offers to Help Americans Move to Canada
67
Candy Giveaway Billboards
This Interactive Candy Advertisement Gives Out Gummy Sweets
66
Glass Tile Billboards
These Stunning Billboards Direct You Around Clerkenwell Design Week 2016
65
Celebratory Crayon Bus Tours
Crayola's '100 Years of Colour' Bus Tour Entertained UK Kids
64
Colorful Contraception Ads
This STD Campaign Uses Phrases Spelled Out in Unwrapped Condoms
63
Unwrapped Chocolate Billboards
This Museum Ad for a Chocolate Exhibition is Gradually Revealed
62
AR Blood Donation Billboards
NHS Blood and Transplant's Donation Ad Interactively Builds Awareness
61
Phone-Charging Billboards
This Dragon Quest Billboard Offers Mobile Phone Chargers for Commuters
60
Embroidered Fantasy Tapestries
This Game of Thrones Ad Uses Textiles to Recreate an Iconic Scene
59
Posture-Correcting Billboards
This Digital Billboard From Microsoft Corrects Posture Instantly
58
Coloring Book Billboards
This Roving Kabuto Noodles Billboard Inspires Calm in the City of London
57
Skin-Protecting Lockers
Garnier Ambre Solaire Encourages People to Protect Belongings and Skin
56
VR Bus Shelter Spas
This Public Bus Stop Uses Virtual Reality to Come to Life as a Swimming Pool
55
Rock Wall Billboards
Toyota's Times Square Ad Doubles as a Towering Climbing Wall
54
Traffic-Sensing Billboards
INRIX Billboards are Able to Change Ads Based on Traffic Speed
53
Basketball-Inspired ATMs
This 10-Foot-Tall BMO Bank Machine Promotes the Annual NBA All-Star Game
52
Anti-Consumerism Ads
These Ads Urge Creative Professionals to Fight for Social Justice
51
Social Good Selfie Walls
Cadillac Fairview is Launching 'Pledge Walls' for Back-to-School Season
50
Mosquito-Killing Billboards
This Outdoor Billboard is Equipped with Panels to Kill Zika Mosquitoes
49
Social City Billboards
Snapchat is Turned Its Geofilters into Social Media Advertisements
48
Dueling Vigilante Billboards
This Interactive Billboard Ad for Daredevil is Powered by Hashtags
47
Car-Targeting Billboards
These Targeted Ads are Able To Recognize and Advertise to Individual Cars
46
3D-Printed Origami Posters
This Dynamic Bus Ad Features 3D-Printed Origami Elements
45
Speed-Testing Sneaker Billboards
Reebok's Running Challenge Gives Free Sneakers to Fast Runners
44
Temperature-Sensitive Billboards
This Coca-Cola Billboard Adapts in Response to Local Weather
43
Giant Smartphone Billboards
The Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge Billboard Takes Over an Entire Building
42
Building Block Billboards
This Playful Subway Advertising Stunt Turns Commuters into Builders
41
Illusory University Posters
These Illusion Posters Cleverly Advertise Distance Education
40
Multicolor Paper Display Billboards
The E Ink Advanced Color ePaper is Efficient and Durable
39
Social Media Billboards
The First-Ever Instagram Advertising Campaign is Launching in France
38
Viral Game Charity Campaigns
This Pokemon Go-Themed Campaign Helps Find Missing People Too
37
Real-Time Travel Billboards
This Airline Ad from JetBlue Reveals Real-Time Travel Data
36
Political Anti-Homophobia Ads
Planting Peace's Billboard Shows Donald Trump and Ted Cruz Kissing
35
Phonecall Travel Billboards
Airbnb's City Billboards Encourage People to Call and Text
34
Artistic Album Promotions
Singer James Blake Enlists Illustrator Quentin Blake to Promote His Work
33
Lengthy Hashtag Billboards
These Heineken Ads Show the Beer's Complete Ingredient List
32
Data-Driven Music Campaigns
These Playful Spotify Ads Reveal What Its Users are Listening to
31
Geo-Targeted Truck Billboards
The RoadAd Boards Change Content Depending On Trucks' Location
30
Bus Shelter Gyms
Reebok Transformed Bus Stop Ads into Temporary Outdoor Gyms
29
Olympian Selfie Billboards
United Airlines' Olympic Ads Photograph Staff and American Athletes
28
Clean Slate Charity Campaigns
This Billboard Asked New Yorkers What Their Biggest Regret Was
27
Workout Bus Shelters
Lucozade Turned a Bus Stop Shelter into an Active 'Wait Training' Station
26
Competitive Burger Billboards
This Massive Vertical Billboard Promotes McDonalds Over Burger King
25
City-Friendly Digital Advertising
The 'Google Urbanism' Project Would Share Ad Revenue with Cities
24
Chalkboard Art Advertisements
This Artful Gaming Ad is a Chalkboard Drawing in Shinjuku Station
23
Pedestrian Safety Ads
These TTC Ads Encourage Pedestrians to Stay Focused and Stay Safe
22
Empowering Athlete Campaigns
Dove Combats Media Sexism by Exposing How Female Athletes are Covered
21
Whipped Cream Weather Billboards
This Weather Ad Shows Snowfall Using Whipped Cream-Topped Drinks
20
Data-Powered Tennis Posters
These IBM Ads Share Animated Sports Facts Based on Real-Time Events
19
Edible Fish Billboards
This Outdoor Poster Feeds Seagulls with Edible Glue, Ink and Paper
18
Morphing Candy Billboards
This Ad for Snickers Candy Bars Surprises with Facial Recognition Tech
17
Interactive Karaoke Billboards
Santander's Fun City Billboards Appeal to Millennials
16
Playable Concert Posters
Telekom Created a Fun Way to Promote the Budapest Festival Orchestra
15
Extreme Lip Balm Tests
Vaseline Uk Recently Launched an Extreme Weather Experiment
14
Political Health Test Advertisements
The 'Feel the Burn?' Billboards Promote FreeSTDCheck.org
13
Drone-Mounted Billboards
Skye Aero Wants To Use Drone Billboards to Revolutionize Advertising
12
Real-Time Furniture Billboards
This Furniture Advertisement from IKEA is Built with a Storage Unit
11
Disappearing Alphabet Campaigns
This Blood Donation Initiative Removes A, B and O from Signage
10
Disappearing Magic Billboards
This Quebec City Magic Festival Ad Does a Stunt Before the Public
9
Comforting Fast Food Commercials
This KFC Commercial Emphasizes the Importance of Comfort Food
8
Melting Neon Billboards
This Neon Billboard Made from Ice Encourages People to Thaw Out in Mexico
7
Interactive Movie Billboards
Johnny Depp Promotes the 'Through the Looking Glass' Movie Himself
6
Miniature Car Mosaics
This Car Display from Citroën is Made of 3,000 Toy Models
5
Sunscreen Claw Games
This Stunt for 'Pretty Shady' Turns Bus Stop Shelters into Interactive Games
4
Precisely Painted Murals
Purdy Creates a Brick Wall Mural by Adding Color Only to the Mortar
3
Rest Stop Billboards
Sodimac's Ad Roadside Promotes a Garage for Tired Drivers to Sleep for Free
2
Virus Protection Billboards
These Miami Billboards Were Created in Response to the Rise in Zika
1
Handmade Sequin Billboards
This Brazilian Billboard Celebrates the Theatrical Bumba-Meu-Boi
Related Ideas
Body Paint Fashion Campaigns
The Miley Cyrus Maison Margiela Campaign Boasts Avant-Garde Themes
Empowering Luxury Fashion Campaigns
The Givenchy Spring 2026 Campaign Features Successful Women
Anti-AI Beer Billboards
Heineken's Latest Ads Poke Fun at AI Friendship Devices
Sponteneous Beach Club-Inspired Campaigns
Casablanca Debuts the Beach Club 2026 Campaign
Dating Profile Billboards
Simply Spiked BOLD Moves Tackles Dating App Fatigue
Branded Express Buses
The Ordinary Bus Supports Accessible Travel in Brooklyn
Festival-Inspired Luxury Fashion Campaigns
Burberry Celebrates the Energy of British Music Culture
Nationwide Soda Campaigns
America250's Coca-Cola Mini Cans Campaign Spotlight All 50 States
Wellness Brand Experiences
Pilates and Influencer Events Are Shaping Lifestyle Marketing in Peru
Festival Vodka Brand Activations
Absolut Launched Its Heat Haus & New RTD Line at Coachella 2026
Reimagined Artwork-Based Travel Campaigns
Plaza Premium Group Debuts 'The Art of Travel'
Diversity-Celebrating Brand Campaigns
Champion Launches a Global ‘Champions for Champion’ Campaign
Authentic Connection Campaigns
Heineken's Hijack Socialization Encourages Out-of-Home Gatherings
Branded Power Banks
Reale Actives Created a Wireless Battery Pack for Recharging on the Go
Live-Printed Billboards
HP Showed Off the Power of Its Smart Tank Printers One A4 Sheet at a Time
Milestone Beauty Campaigns
The Body Shop Launched Its 'Rebellious by Nature' 50th Anniversary Ad
Mobile Cafe Pop-Ups
Coach Introduced a Vibrant Coffee Truck in Gotemba, Japan
Wishlist-Spotlighting Billboards
Sephora Canada Features Customer Wishlists on Holiday Billboards
City-Themed Luxury Fashion Campaigns
Burberry’s Back to the City Campaign Celebrates London
Panda-Inspired Sport Campaigns
Panda Station Dresses Panda Statues in Tracksuits for an Activation
Interactive Advertising Installations
Intimissimi's 'Feel the Billboard' Uses Tactile Advertising
Night QSR Campaigns
The Mcdonald’s Night Posters Turn Post-Party Cravings into Glowing Urban Art
Fandom Culture Retail Experiences
EB Games x Vibrant Marketing Launch an 'EB Trends' Store Concept
Provocative Tequila Campaigns
PATRÓN's ‘Censored Truth’ Sheds Light on Transparency
Urban Landscape-Inspired Campaigns
The Casablanca Fall 2025 Advertising Campaign is Interesting
Telenovela-Inspired Beauty Campaigns
e.l.f. Cosmetics' Big Game Ad Airs Ahead of Halftime
Fun-First Self-Care Commercials
Tree Hut is Making Its Super Bowl Ad Debut with Uncontain Yourself
Friendly Fandom Campaigns
Heineken Kicked Off Fans Have More Friends with a Fun Social Experiment
Foggy Self-Care Billboards
eos' Windows of Self-Care Let Passersby Interact with Unique Personas
Pet-Finding Billboards
Hrvatski Telekom Created Scented Billboards That Attract Lost Dogs
Beer Brand Nature Campaigns
Corona Launched Its Living Is Calling With a Tripadvisor Partnership
Unhoused Individuals-Supporting Initiatives
Thrive Causemetics & Beauty 2 the Streetz Parttner
Dessert-Shot Fashion Campaigns
Stella McCartney's Summer 2026 Campaign is Shot in Qatar
AI Sun Care Billboards
The Burnable Billboard Shows Damage Caused to Human Skin in Real-Time
Emotive Song Campaigns
Sos Songs Uses Technology to Show How Music Reflects Your Emotional State
Luxury Festive Campaigns
Bloomingdale’s Unveils Its 2025 Holiday Campaign
Bee Habitat Billboards
Disney x National Geographic Bee Billboards Double as Shelters
Marketer-Targeted Albums
The Spotify Tunetorials Campaign Blurs Education and Entertainment
Festival Beauty Activations
Medicube Brings Skincare Tech and Experiences to Coachella
Tribute-Paying Luxury Fashion Campaigns
Mcqueen's Pre-Fall 2025 Campaign is Set in Coach & Horses
Celebrity-Backed Luxury Menswear Campaigns
Louis Vuitton Taps Jeremy Allen White and Pusha T
Ultra-Heavy Billboard Activations
GymNation Boasts the World's Heaviest Billboard, Located in UAE
Timely Delivery-Centric Billboards
Pizza Pizza Creates a Truck-Side Billboard Inspired by the LRT
Radiant Post-Exercise Campaigns
ASICS' Get The Glow Highlights the Beauty Benefits of Movement
Social Media Follower-Celebrating Initiatives
Streets of Toronto Marks 600k Instagram Followers
Beer Brand Campaigns
AB InBev Launched Its 'Cheers to Bars' Campaign for the FIFA World Cup 2026
Health-Focused Interactive Pop-Ups
Ancient + Brave Ran the Live Bravely Pop-Up in California
Chocolate Chip Cookie-Inspired Billboards
Tate's Bake Shop Debuts an Ambitious Marketing Campaign
Music Scene-Informed Luxury Campaigns
Burberry Taps Twiggy for Spring 2026 Advertising Campaign
Venice-Bound High-Fashion Campaigns
Bottega Veneta Boasts Its Pre-Fall 2026 Ad Campaign
Self-Expression Festival Activations
Barbie Brings Customizable Persona-Building to Coachella
Sensorial Soda Campaigns
Sprite's 'Hurts Real Good With Sprite' Targets Gen Z
Mobile Beauty Retail Activations
Cardi B Debuts Beauty Truck for Her Haircare Brand
Mobile Beauty Pop-Ups
Henkel’s göt2b Debuts a Citywide Mobile Beauty Experience
Culturally-Inspired Travel Campaigns
Louis Vuitton’s New Travel Campaign Spotlights China
Comprehensive Fast Food Reports
Yum! Brands, Inc. Explores Food Trends Influencing the Industry
Personalized AI Billboards
Mercado Libre's Custom Billboards Analyze Their Surroundings and Adapt
Gamified Scent Marketing Experiences
Axe's Grab The Sweet Turned a Bus Stop into a Claw Machine
Musician-Led Beverage Campaigns
poppi Tapped Charli xcx and Rachel Sennott for the Super Bowl
Pick-Your-Own Bouquet Billboards
5,000 Tesco Mother’s Day Tulips Formed an Interactive Display
Adventurious Luxury Furniture Campaigns
Louis Vuitton's 2025 Travel Campaign is Visually Appealing
Burger Ad Campaigns
Burger King’s New Campaign Suggests Even Babies Can’t Resist the Whopper
Interactive Garment Billboards
The Sweaty Betty All Good in the Hood Campaign is in London
Sofa-Centered Marketing Activations
This Sofa Club Activation Encouraged Consumers to Take a Seat
Body Care Rebranding Initiatives
Tree Hut Embraces the Sentiment of 'Uncontain Yourself'
Playable Brand Universes
adidas and Brawl Stars Connect Gaming, Apparel and Live Fan Experiences
Athlete-Backed Beverage Campaigns
PepsiCo and NFL Players Debut 'Tailgate Crashers'
80s-Inspired Bag Campaigns
BÉIS-ERCISE Spotlights a Bright New Color in BÉIS' Sport Collection
Lyrics-Inspired OOH Campaigns
Taskrabbit Interprets Pop Culture Songs for Summer Home Tasks
Experiential Grocery Campaigns
No Name launches a multi-city grocery goss campaign
World Cup Hospitality Experiences
Stella Artois Turns Bars into Immersive FIFA Viewing Locations
Glitching Movie-Inspired Banking Billboards
This BMO Billboard Brings a Film Detail to Life
Entertainment-Powered Retail Experiences
AT&T Brings Toy Story 5 to Interactive Store Activations
Inaugural Vodka Billboard Campaigns
ALB Vodka Introduces Its First Billboard in New York City
Ice Cream Popsicle Campaigns
Häagen Dazs’ Devoured Campaign Sparks Craving Through Absence
Celebratory Midlife Campaigns
The Stripes Beauty Hotter Than Ever Destigmatizes Menopause
Bubble Wrap Billboards
Tombola's Interactive Billboards Engage Passersby with a Sensory Activity
Photocopied Fast Food Campaigns
McDonald's Office Delivery Ads Scanned Popular Menu Items
Subway Station Fashion Takeovers
Reitmans Hosts its Spring 2026 Lower Bay Station Preview
Health Engagement Disparity Campaigns
Function Health and SubwayTakes Partner on a Campaign
Musical Wellbeing Campaigns
ASICS Launches the ‘Move Your Body, Move Your Mind’ Campaign
Interactive Embrace Billboards
giffgaff's Huggable Poster Conveys the Feeling of Being Valued
Activity Gear Billboards
Ocean Spray's Reclaim Happy Hour Activation Got Australians Up & Moving
Athletic Event-Timed Tech Campaigns
TCL Ran a Comprehensive Ad Campaign During the Olympics
Vibrant Cafeteria-Inspired Campaigns
Lunchtime Becomes a Joyous Time in 'The Lunchables Effect'
Illusory Ice Cream Pop-Ups
Häagen-Dazs Celebrated St. Patrick's Day with an O'Häagen's
Reimagined Creative Campaigns
Marc Jacobs Dropped its '26 Summer Campaign and New Visual Identity
Boldly Inclusive Hair Campaigns
Splat Hair Color Announces That Every Shade Tells a Story
Hometown Athlete Branding
Hershey’s Released Limited-Edition Chocolate Bars for Christian Pulisic
Music-Driven Hospitality Concepts
W Montréal and Billboard Launch Billboard Live at W Montréal
Customized Restaurant Campaign Platforms
OpenTable Has Launched OpenTable Media
Bright Brand Identity Updates
Big Hug Becomes a Purpose-Driven Brand with Bold Rebrand by JDO
Limited-Edition Beer Campaigns
San Miguel launches a Limited-Edition Beer Campaign for Summer
Road Safety-Focused QSR Campaigns
McDonald's Türkiye Launched a Campaign Called Drink & Drive
Subway Cabin Makeovers
British Airways NYC Subway Turns Commute into an In-Flight Experience
Branded App Takeovers
TikTok Introduces Logo Takeover Ads That Dominate the App’s Opening Screen
Emerging Market Insights
Rising Trends Helps Discover Hidden Markets And Business Opportunities
Fan Culture Activations
StubHub Launched Its World Cup Cuts a Multi-City Barbershop Campaign
Celebrity-Supported Luxe Fashion Campaigns
BOSS Taps Renowned Public Figures for Fall 2025
Courageous Style Campaigns
Coach's Revive Your Courage Activates Gen Z
Fitness-Focused Food Drives
In March, Technogym Hosted the Let's Move & Donate Food Campaign
Community-Centered Rooftop Events
Heineken's Rooftop Revival Turned Building Tops into Social Hubs
Donation-Based Menu Deals
Domino’s Turns Pizza Purchases into Donations for Kids with Illnesses
Social-to-Outdoor Campaigns
Tribesigns Extends TikTok's Super Wish Campaign to Times Square
Conscientious Tourism Campaigns
Evaneos Advocates Against Overtourism in a New Campaign
Girded Billboard Posters
Irn-Bru And Lucky Generals Introduced Girders Posters
Attention Economy Agencies
VaynerX Launches Tamara Group to Drive Social-First Brand Relevance
Predictive Mobile Advertising Features
T-Mobile Advertising Solutions Unveiled Contextual AI Ads
Embedded Safety Networks
‘Ask for Angela’ Builds Retail-Based Support Systems Across Toronto
Urban Activewear Activations
The Merrell Get Outside Activation Took Over Union Square
British Autumn Campaigns
Burberry Debuted Its Soccer-Themed 'A Good Sport' Collection for Fall
Ramadan-Focused Tech Campaigns
Hisense Delivers 'Innovation That Brings Us Together This Ramadan'
Swapped Phone Campaigns
KitKat Phone Break Depicts Devices Traded for Chocolate Wafer Bars
Question-Driven Brand Revisions
NPR Turns its Logo Into Question Words
Seasonal Reservation Street Installations
Uber UK Launches 'Reserve' by Mother
Generational Wellness Campaigns
Sports Research Evolved Its Marketing into a Cultural Movement
Branded Social Impact Initiatives
Youth To The People Unveils the Community To The People Program
Destination-Branded Transportation
Themed Taxis Promote Scottish Travel During Major Soccer Events
Summer-Forward Food Billboards
Waitrose Launched its 'Let Your Summer Side Out' Campaign
Community-Driven Loyalty Programs
Salad House Turned Guest Spending Into Local Donations
Nostalgic Boy Band Commercials
T-Mobile Tapped Backstreet Boys for the Super Bowl This Year
Local Restaurant Activations
Pepsi Hosts Community Events to Drive Restaurant Discovery
Forest Shuttle Buses
Utrecht's Boshalte Connects Gen Z to Nature
Local Shop Portrait Campaigns
Coca-Cola Highlights Bosses Campaign Celebrating 125 Years in UK
Outdoor Lifestyle Brand Platforms
Merrell Launches the It Starts Outside Campaign
Human Trafficking Awareness Campaigns
BODYBAR Pilates Runs the BODYBAR Does Good Campaign
Brandless Packaging Campaigns
McDonald’s Tested a Name-Free 'Famous Order' Promotion
Public Art Displays
Paul Anthony Smith’s Photographs Appear at 300 City Bus Stops This Summer
Retail Marketing Advancements
Westfield Rise Debuts a Programmatic Targeting Solution For Malls
Soothing Skincare Billboards
Tower 28's Summer of SOS Shares Hypochlorous Acid on the Street
Purpose-Led Emerging Brands Initiatives
7-Eleven Taps 27 Brands for Its 2026 Brands with Heart™
Global Creative Billboard Competition
Gymnation Launches ‘Your Ad. Our Billboard’ Competition
Civic-Led Buy Local Campaigns
City of Toronto Launches 'Love Local' Campaign to Support Businesses
Retail Conversation Marketing Campaigns
Tesco Launches 'Need Anything From Tesco' Platform
Creative Protest Archives
Pocket Protests Showcases Global Creative Resistance Against Fascism
A-Lister Vacation Getaways
Trainline x Deuxmoi Partner for Celebrity-Inspired European Itineraries
International Traveler-Focused Campaigns
Brand USA Launches Two Complementary Campaigns
Bus Racing Retail Events
The Saucony Beat the Bus Challenge Celebrated a New Location
Mardi Gras-Themed Breast Campaigns
Frida Marked Mardi Gras with the Breast Gallery Campaign
Multi-Level Cancer Awareness Ads
The United Breast Cancer Foundation is at Times Square