These clever camouflage ad techniques are challenging viewers to look more closely at their advertisements to see the image or message that lies beyond what they initially see.
Camouflaging an object is a great way to make that item blend in with its surrounding environment, and since identifying where or what that camouflaged item is can be challenging, using that technique in an ad is a great way to stimulate people's minds and imagination. Encouraging viewers to look beyond what they see at first sight to find the hidden message or image allows marketers to reach consumers on a much deeper and often emotional level.
From invisible children ads to hidden animal campaigns, these camouflage ad techniques are sure to make an impression with their creatively hidden messages.
18 Camouflage Ad Techniques
From People-Blending Beverage Ads to Canine-Concealing Campaigns:
Tana Makmanee — Oct 9, 2013 — Marketing
18
Sneaky Alcoholic Decoys
The Andes 'Beer Camouflage' Campaign is Hilarious
17
Hidden Animal Ads
The Johannesburg Zoo Campaign is Cleverly Camouflaged
16
Duplicitous Depression Ads
Ads from Samaritans of Singapore Change Meaning When Flipped
15
Canine-Concealing Campaigns
The Amigos dos Bichos Ads Reprimand Animal Abandonment
14
Typographic Accident Ads
This Texting and Driving Campaign Hides Danger Within Oversized Letters
13
Camouflaging Human Rights Violations
Amnesty International Flags Campaign
12
I-Spy Alcohol Ads
The Heineken Camouflage Ads are Hidden Entertainment
11
Invisible Children Ads
The Ponteio Lar Shopping Campaign Asks for Warm Clothes Donations
10
Road-Covered Vehicle Ads
The Volkswagen Side Assist Campaign Shows What is Hidden
9
Camouflaged Manvertising
The Hooters Guatemala Campaign Disguised Happy Hour Promotions
8
Hidden Front-Row Ads
The UFL 'Closer to the Action' Campaign Will Snag You the Best Seat
7
Cheerless Camo Ads
The Homeless Veterans Project Campaign Helps Returned Soldiers
6
Pattern-Clashing Letter Ads
The Kenzo Spring 2013 Campaign is Electric Hued
5
Discrete Ad Captures
A Campaign Promoting Newspaper Marketing Slip Discrete Ads into World Events
4
Garlic Camo
Chlormint Campaign Illustrates its Ability to Mask Bad Breath
3
People-Blending Beverage Ads
Sprite 'Camo' Campaign Encourages You to Express Yourself
2
Camouflaged Canine Campaigns
The Febreze Pet Odor Eliminator Ads Takes Away Furry Smells
1
Camouflaged Litter Campaigns
The Johannesburg Zoo Ads Ask People to Stop Littering
Related Ideas
Revealing Awareness Campaigns
Adam Levine Cancer Awareness Ad for Testicular & Prostate Cancer
Adorable Puppy Afros
'Dogs Gods' by Tim Flach Breeds Funny Canine Coifs
Hidden Message Travel Ads
Expedia Vacations Hides Greetings in Luggage Tags for Newest Print Ads
Body Paint Illusions
Emma-Jane Cammack Camouflage Art
Hooters-Style Coffee
The Grand View Topless Coffee Shop Opens in Maine
Hallucinatory Street Art
The Optical Illusion Graffiti of Mimmo Rubino Plays Tricks on the Eyes
Crystallized Couture Campaigns (UPDATE)
The Swarovski Vogue Germany Lookbook is Glamorously Glitzy
Friendly Gibe Ads
The Renault Red Is Dead Campaign Revels in Beating Ferrari at Formula One
Camouflaged Creatures
Amazing Animal Mimicry
Bikini-Clad Baristas
Java Girls Blends Hooters and Starbucks
Stacked Money Typography
The ‘Yeah, That Kind of Rich’ Ad Campaign Embodies a Lucrativ
Invisible Outfits II
Desiree Palmen's Camouflage Art
Iconic Mustache Ads
A Series of Ads for Schick Razors Illustrate Instantly Recognizable Staches
Risque Beer Photography
Jack by Sean Dufrene Follows an Eccentric Father Figure
Corrupted Child Awareness Ads
Unicef Portrays that a Child Who Learns is an Adult Who Teaches
Double Vision Ads
The Morgan Stanley What if Campaign Addresses Shared Wants
Dubious Legal Campaigns
The ITV1 Injustice Print Ads Questions (Un)Lawful Actions
E-Waste Pet Beds
This Computer Monitor Dog Divan Gives a Broken Machine New Life
Social Media Danger Ads
The Facebook by TBWA Campaign Cautions About Online Interactions
Imaginative Baby Ads
The Cam Il Mondo Del Bambino Campaign Looks the Through Eyes of Chidren
Desecrated Logo Ads
A Campaign for OLA Poder Activo Shows Logos Being Killed
Human Shearing Ads
The Uniform Jeans Verano Esquilate Campaign Sheds Fur for Summer
38 Football Innovations
Just in Case You Didn't Know the NFL Playoffs Were Going On
Comical Canine Coifs
Torkil Gudnason Captures Bourgeois Dogs Looking Woofsational
Bold Blossoming Fashion
The Vogue Korea Hong Jang Hyun Photoshoot is Floral
Stop Motion Coffee Cup Ads
The Starbucks Mondays Can Be Great Campaign is Optimistic
Dazzling Cat Modeling Campaigns
Sparkly Baubles Looks Purrfect in Juicy Couture Holiday Campaign
Compressed Object Ads
The Honda 'Everything Fits Easier' Campaign Promotes Its Spacious Trunk
Doggy Derriere Ads
The Motor Master Floor Disinfectant Campaign Looks Upwards
Canned Chef Campaigns
Del Monte Sauces Practically Cook Themselves in These Ads
Urban Camouflage
DIY Costume Making Projects Help You Blend In With the City
Common Curiosity Campaigns
The Arizona Science Center Advertisements Ask Everyday Questions
Celebrity Menswear Campaigns
The Mr. Porter 'The Look' is Now Featuring Chase Crawford
Color-Collaged Couple Campaigns
The MSGM Spring/Summer 2013 Advertorial is Fun and Vibrant
Enigmatic Monochromatic Campaigns
The Saint Laurent Spring/Summer Campaign is Mysterious
Mantastic Beer Campaigns
Bud Light 'Tailgate Approved' Appeals to Football Fans
Exotically Camouflaged Catalogs
The Anthropologie March 2010 Look Book is Colorfully Airy
Nostalgia-Embracing Campaigns
Carep Costruzioni Ads Show that the Company Was There Since Day One
Busty Oil Spill Aids
Hooters 'Project Pantyhose' Aims to Clean Oil Spill with Stockings
Intoxicating 'Star Wars' Tributes
The 'Beer2D2' Heineken R2-D2 by Lockwasher Rocks
Duplicitous Depression Ads
Ads from Samaritans of Singapore Change Meaning When Flipped
Dual Face Ads
The 2012 International Day of Peace Campaign is Filled With Illusions
Combative Cartoon Brawls
These Superhero Battles by Danilo Agutoli Pairs 'Unlikely Opponents'
Wrinkled Time-Passing Ads
The Mapfre Insurance Pension Plans Campaign Urges Smart Future Planning
Literal Hand-Packed Ads
The Office Depot Bubble Roll Campaign Promotes Protective Packaging
Tribal Soft Drink Ads
The Blue 'Taste of Angola' Campaign is Colorful and Exotic
Nostalgic Soda Packaging
Jordan Puopolo's Vintage-Inspired Sprite Redesign
One-Shot Photo Ads
The MWEB Cloud Storage Campaign Ensures People Don't Have to Pose Again
Faux Snowboard Ads
The Cerro Castor Ski Resort Campaign is Passionately Silly
Insect-Saving Ads
The Capital Bee Campaign Encourages Bee-Friendly Behavior
Underprivileged Apparel Ads
The Shocking New Ark Mission of India Fashion Campaign
Self-Inflicted Eco Wounds
Advertisers Without Borders Show You Hurt Yourself by Hurting the World
Morbid Children's Safety Ads
These BBDO Germany Safety Ads are Both Horrific and Humorous
Paper Plane-Like Leaf Ads
The Stihl Leaf Blower BG-86D Campaign Cleans Yards with a Show
Monstrously Erotic Channels
D-Smart's New Passion of the Night Ads are Dubiously Lustful
Beast-Repairing Ads
This WWF Promotion Features Animals Being Treated Like Autos
Chastising City Campaigns
The Las Vegas Know the Code Ad Sticks Up for Prince Harry's Actions
Typographic Beer Campaigns
Buckler Beer Print Ads Make You Rethink That Fourth Drink
Camouflage Canvases
Painting Models Invisible
Regional Meanvertising
Molson Coors' Toronto-Trashing Billboards Flop
Kid Perspective Campaigns
The Hospital Aleman Ads Show the Differences Between Children and Adults
Heroic Footballer Ads
The Adidas 'The Quest' Ad Turns Players into Legendary Figures
Animalistic Beer Campaigns
The Diver & Aguilar Super Bock Ads are Ferocious
Food-Fetching Pets
'Deng Deng' the Shopping Sheepdog is Truly Man's Best Friend
Ying-And-Yang Campaigns
The Alka Seltzer 2011 Print Ads are Simple and to the Point
Howitzer Camera Ads
The Canon 'Shot by Luke Cannon' Campaign is Clever and Cute
Drowsy Driving Ads
BBDO Promotes Safe Driving With These Thought-Provoking Prints
Camouflaged Public Art
Los Angeles' Disguised Utility Boxes
Beer Bottle Hygiene
'New Soap, Old Bottle' Turns Your Empties Into Eco Dispensers
Panda Death Shockvertising
The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society Raises Bluefin Tuna Awareness
I-Spy Alcohol Ads
The Heineken Camouflage Ads are Hidden Entertainment
Deflated Television Ads
The Toshiba LED Campaign Shows Less Body Means Less Fun
Landmark-Dismissing Ads
This Lonely Planet Ad Takes a Shot at Famous Landmarks
Plant Lifestyle Campaigns
The Natureza Magazine Print Ads Shows How to Care for Foliage
Pre-Prohibition Beer
Batch 19 Beer Offers Pre-Prohibition Flavor With Rare Retro Recipe
Inked Awareness Campaigns
The Waka Flocka Flame PETA Ads Show Some Skin
Beer Bartering
UK Pub Cashes in on Credit Crunch By Letting You Swap Goods For A Pint
Frisky Feline Awareness Ads
'AIDES' Organization Uses Smutley the Cat to Educate on Protection
Rejoicing Animal Ads
This Promotion for Buin Zoo Features Celebrating Animals
Appreciation Letter Ads
The Victorinox Companion For Life Campaign Focuses on Positive Feedback
Cautious Budgeting Campaigns
The Children’s Defense Fund Ads Help Kids' Futures
Angelic Donor Ads
The Centraide of Greater Montreal Campaign Shows 'Donating is Uplifting'
Football-Fighting Brides
Model Suzanne Diaz Works the Gridiron for 'Per Sport' in Elle Italia
Artery-Flowing Soda Ads
The Pepsi Veins Campaign Utilizes More Subliminal Marketing Tactics
Realistic Faux Animal Ads
The IM Leather Paper Campaign Promotes a Textured Stationary Product
Drink-Buying Apps
The TGIFriday's Buy a Beer Campaign Allows You to Buy Rounds for Your Friends
Shirtless Football Ads
Jillz Soccer Commercial Seeks Votes to End No-Shirt Regulation
Cartoon Cosmetic Campaigns
Lancome by Alber Elbaz is His First Venture into the World of Makeup
Unsafe H20 Campaigns
Solidarites International Water Ink Ad Raises Awareness on Dirty Liquids
Blown-Up Soda Fountain Stunts
The Sprite 'Refresh Your Ideas' Drink Dispenser Spread Brand Awarnes
Medication Side Effect Ads
The Kentera Oxybutynin Transdermal Patch Campaign Cures All Problems
Center-of-Attention Campaigns
The Pharex Carbocisteine Cough Syrup Ads
Pop-ular Hats
The Drink Logo Collection by New Era x The Coca-Cola Company is Simply Fresh
55 Calorie Beer
Budweiser Select 55 Beer Makes Its Low Calorie Debut
Stranded Automobile Ads
The Land Rover Above and Beyond Campaign Involves Annoying Passengers
Risky Driving Ads
The SJ Swedish Rail Campaign Offers a Smarter Way to Travel
Literary Figure Headphones
The Penguin Audiobooks Ad Campaign Turns Famous Writers into Earphones
Mustachioed Animal Ads
This 180 Amsterdam Ad Proves That Well-Groomed Facial Hair is Dapper
Disguised Driver Safety PSAs
Zurich Beer Draws Driving Comparisons in Its Texting and Driving Ad
Mongrel-Morphing Campaigns
ENPA's 'Petize Yourself' Encourages Walking in Puppies' Paws
Dress-Stripping Drug Ads
Ads for Naldecon Flu Medication Transform Iconic Photos into Tissue Boxes
Tangled Animal Ads
The Dr. Phillips Dental Floss Campaign Depicts the Product's Strength
Explosive Avian Awareness Art
These Offbeat BOMBirds Posters Juxtapose Two Messages
Steroid Awareness Campaigns
The USOC Play Asterisk Free Commercial is Hilariously Serious
Soda-Inspired Sneakers
Puma Second Round 'Soda Pack' Kicks Channel Your Fave Fizzy Drink
Plaid-Inspired Campaigns
The Bohemian Denim & Supply Line is a New Take on Classic Americana Style
Predatory Tea Ads
A Campaign for Lipton Ice Tea Shows Customers About to Be Eaten Alive
Gesture Mockery Ads
Miller High Life Shows How to Socially Behave
Peekaboo Beer Packaging
Coors Light Cold-Activated Window Turns Clear When It's Beer O'Clock
Holiday Romance Beer Campaigns
The Stella Artois Christmas 2010 Ad Will Warm Your Heart
Windblown Kid Face Ads
The Hot Wheels 2013 Campaign Shows How Serious These Toys Are
Retro Game System Art
These 8-Bit Console Posters Take Current Consoles Back in Time
Online Marketing Budget Charts
Compare the Digital Ad Spending Habits of Companies Worldwide
High School Football Photography
Catherine Opie's 'Figure and Landscape' Exhibition
Abusive Interior Decor
The Behind German Walls Campaign Packs a Punch
Beer Biking
Ale & Karaoke Rides in Amsterdam (Where Else?)
Athlete-Inspired Shooters
‘LeBomb James' is Shot of Choice for Hardcore Cavalier
Bitten Blow Up Doll Ads
The True Blood Campaign is Appropriately Provocative
Stunned Creature Campaigns
These Anaesthesia Lingerie Animal Ads Dumbfound Even Dogs
Macabre Motorist PSAs
Desiree Hahn Shows the Ultimate Consequence of Texting While Driving
Satirical Camouflage Photography
Adonis Flores Gives the Military an Artistic Aesthetic
Hunger-Alleviating Ads
The 'Food Link' Campaign Let Users Carry Virtual Food Between Two Ads
Literal Literary Life Campaigns
Penguin Audiobooks Ads Make Everyday Activities More Adventurous
3d Football Fiestas
British Pubs to Broadcast Soccer Games in Three Dimensions Via Sky Tv
Godly Drunk Driving Ads
The Yama Drunk Driving PSA Features the Hindu God of Death
Camouflage Satellite Dishes
The Sqish
Charitable Cargo Campaigns
Doc to Dock, Inc Sends Medical Supplies to Those in Need
Sappy Safe-Driving Ads
Ronin Advertising Group Releases a Commercial That Might Make You Cry
Camouflaged Ad Campaigns
GotVMail and Gary Busey on Business
Luxury-Revealing Ads
An Ad for Westdeutsche Lotterie Strips Away to Reveal Riches
QR Code Innuendo Ads
A Prudence Condoms Campaign Peaks Curiosity with Suggestive QR Codes
Soundwave Typeface Ads
The Sound Typeface Campaign Visually Sculpts Soundwaves into Words
Aggressive Driving Ads
The JCDecaux Road Safety Campaign Features a War Zone Tank
Sport-Themed Wieners
The Football Sausage is Great for the Hungry Pigskin Fan
Four-Pack Alcohol Carriers
The Convenient Handy Cans Can Holder for Booze Hounds
Mongrel Marital Problems
The Frolic Dogfood 'Couples' Ad Will Make You Chuckle
Computerized Game Calls
The NFL is Considering Switching to Microchipped Footballs
Reverse Undercuts
The Tim Tebow Rookie Haircut Makes for One Odd Hazing Ritual