Billboards are a fantastic way to advertise products and services in a bold and larger-than-life manner, and these clever billboard techniques are showcasing how marketers are utilizing outside-the-box methods to draw in consumers.
While billboards are often meant to be large and overwhelming as a way to attract both people walking and those driving by, these clever marketing techniques are going beyond what ordinary billboard signs often showcase to create ads that are visually mesmerizing and one-of-a-kind. Incorporating such clever aspects as three-dimensional objects seemingly coming out from the poster to interactive mobile features and ironic placements, these creative techniques are taking average print ads to a whole other level.
From sunscreen-dispensing signage to uplifting social billboards, these clever marketing techniques are utilizing all sorts of social and interactive methods to attract consumers.
59 Clever Billboard Techniques
From Scent-Emitting Bus Stops to Spinning Billboard Swings:
Tana Makmanee — Jul 30, 2013 — Marketing
59
Functional Outdoor Billboards
The IBM Smart Ideas for Smarter Cities Campaign Leads by Example
58
Facebook-Inspired Advertising
Social Networking Heads Out of the Home to Billboards & Print Ads
57
Truckvertising
Clever Campaigns on Wheels
56
Clever Science Campaigns (UPDATE)
Science World Billboards Teach Funky Facts
55
Clever Coupon Billboards
James Ready Beer Gets Creative with Interactive Discount Posters
54
Tear-Jerking Advertisements
The Calgary International Film Festival Billboard is Sad and Funny
53
Smart Beverage Billboards
A Customized Advertisement Picks Out Drinks in Shinagawa Station
52
Interactive Bus Stop Ads
Crank Up the Bikini Model's Tan
51
Upside-Down Advertisements
The Upside Down Gap Store in Vancouver is a Marketing Win
50
Weed-Eradicating Billboards
This Clever Billboard Ad for Kiwicare Slowly Kills the Weeds Around It
49
Humanized Advertisements
This ING Direct Ad is Lively and Interactive
48
Sportvertising
10 Amazing Sporting Ads
47
Unwrappable Art Ads
The Leo Burnett and Arc Worldwide Art Institute of Chicago is Interactive
46
Punny Rectal Ads
The Tampa Proctology Billboard Will Crack You Up
45
Fictional Wordvertising
Snickers Creates New Words For Delicious Ad Campaign
44
Cut Out Model Billboards
Pessek Zman Chocolate Ads
43
Guerrilla Tourism Ads
Time to Thaw: South Carolina Tourism
42
Cunning Contraceptive Campaigns
Manchester City Council Promotes 'Any Plans Tonight' Website
41
Witty Billboard Graffiti
Street Artist OX's Art is a Print and Digital Media Intervention
40
Love Letter Murals
Steve Powers Creates 50 Poetic Billboards
39
Gamer-Centric Projection Campaigns
The BMW Joy 3D Ad in Singapore Will Blow You Away
38
Wrinkly Billboards
SeeThePersonNotTheAge.com Wants You to like Old People
37
Sensitive Speech Signs
The NFS Stuttering Billboards Teach Compassion
36
Peeling Skin Billboards
The Burt’s Bees Intense Hydration Campaign is Made Up of Curious Cou
35
Uplifting Social Billboards
The Prigat Smile Stations Bring Happiness to Consumers
34
Cleverly Inverted Urban Ads
This Street Ad by Mikkel Moller Targets its Market Via Reflection
33
See-Through Billboards
Google Video Campaign
32
Web-Browser Billboards
New Zealand Company Metservice Created this Clever Billboard Advertisement
31
Interactive McMarketing
McDonald's Pick 'n' Play Billboard Lets People Play for Free Food
30
Hand-Painted Billboards
The Ritual Project for Stella Revives Dying Art of Hand-Painted Ad
29
Fold-Out Ad Seating
The Billboard Bench by Relja Perunovic Serves Public & Company Interests
28
Social Media Feeders
Granatapet Develops a Billboard With Foursquare That Releases Dog Food
27
Ads Targeted to Activity Levels
McDonald's & Coca-Cola Stair & Escalator Campaign
26
Using Live Pigeons in Billboards
MSN Live Search 'Hutch' Campaign
25
Hands-On Guerrilla Ads
Clever Supportive Ad Placement
24
Digital Driving Apps
The Screenreach 'Screach' Interactive Billboard Game was a UK Hit
23
Ex-Governor Exploiting Billboards
Ashley Madison Calls Out Mark Sanford With Its Latest Ads
22
Drowning Billboards
Guerrilla Campaign For "Day After Tomorrow"
21
Itty-Bitty Billboards
The BBDO Toronto Smart Campaign Embodies its Pint-Sized Product
20
Sunscreen-Dispensing Signage
This SunSmart Australia Campaign Encourages Skin Protection
19
Touchable Turntable Posters
The Urbanears Scratch Poster Turns People Into Interactive DJs
18
Guerrilla Hanging Ads
Sparring Partner Gym
17
Moon-Integrating Billboards
The 'Luna Corona' Billboard is Designed to Align with the Moon
16
Spinning Billboard Swings
The Kolotoc 'Merry-Go-Round' Project is Amusement via Advertisements
15
Sense-Simulating Advertising
This Ctaste Dark Dining Promotion Poster is Cleverly All-Black
14
Illusory Anti-Graffiti Ads
TransPerth Adds Handcuffs to Train Seats
13
Night-Only Ads
McDonald's Reflective Billboard Comes to Life in the Dark
12
Targeted Tree Campaigns
The Arbor Day Inhotim Ads Cleverly Communicate a Double Message
11
Scent-Emitting Bus Stops
McCain Ready Baked Jackets Campaign Offers Smell of Baking Food
10
Auto Part Integration Ads
Clever Bus Billboards
9
Intergenerational Poverty Ads
Girl Hub in Nigeria Promotes Speech Without Words
8
Size-Promoting Billboards
The Volkswagen Up! Outdoor Campaign is Creative & Cute
7
Recycled Electronics Ads
Best Buy E-Cycle Billboard Made from E-Waste
6
Reflective Auto Ads
This BMW Advertisement by 'Serviceplan' Doubles the Attention
5
Youthful Warhol Branding
This Tomcateden Andy Warhol Exhibition Emphasizes the Undiscovered
4
Singed Sauce Ads
The 'Taystee Chilli Sauce: Burned Billboard' is Too Hot to See
3
Weaving Luminous Ads
Port Authority MediaMesh Project to Light Up NYC Train Station
2
Foot Massage Stairvertising
Ogawa Massage Chair Ads
1
Smelling Distance Ads
Siose Antiperspirant Roll-on Deodorant for Men Posts Pit-Level Promos
Related Ideas
Playful Billboard Campaigns
Dreamies Treats Unveil a Show-Stopping 3D Billboard Campaign
Cheeky Adult Wipe Campaigns
goodwipes Launched a OOH Campaign at the 2025 NYC Marathon
Sensory Outdoor Posters
Billie Introduced its Scratch-and-Sniff OOH Campaign
Sound-Focused Ice Cream Ads
Magnum Ice Cream Ads Bring the Ultimate Sensory Experience to Life
Ice Cream-Inspired Campaigns
Dairy Queen Canada is Transforming Snowbanks into Giant Blizzards
Anti-AI Beer Billboards
Heineken's Latest Ads Poke Fun at AI Friendship Devices
Soft Serve Dispenser Billboards
Carvel Unveiled the First Soft-Serve-Dispensing Billboard in NYC
Debunking Skincare Campaigns
The Periodic Fable by The Ordinary Exposes Beauty Industry Buzzwords
Cheeky Burger Billboards
The Habit Burger & Grill Humorously Calls Out Five Guys
Sniffable Deodorant Billboards
Sure's Out-of-Home Campaigns Invites Passersby to Take a Whiff
Humorous Drink Cart Ads
Tito’s Spokescart Returns with New Tricks and the Same Laid-Back Charm
Humorous Fun-Forward Ads
Six Flags Rolls Out Its 'Funsultant' Campaign to Prove Fun Is Serious
Snow-Accented Beer Ads
These Stella Artois Ads Create the Illusion of a Frothy Chalice
High-Profile Live Performance Marketing
Rokid Delighted Folks with a High-Profile Marketing Event
Giant Custom Inflatables
Creatable Inflatables Designs Eye-Catching Structures for Brand Exposure
Authentic Connection Campaigns
Heineken's Hijack Socialization Encourages Out-of-Home Gatherings
Influencer-Driven Consumer Insight Tools
Brilli™ is a New Tool That Disrupts Food Research
Live-Printed Billboards
HP Showed Off the Power of Its Smart Tank Printers One A4 Sheet at a Time
Signal-Blocking Wrapper Campaigns
KitKat Break Mode Blocks Smartphone Signals Using Cage Tech
Wishlist-Spotlighting Billboards
Sephora Canada Features Customer Wishlists on Holiday Billboards
Haute Auto Pattern Campaigns
The Audi Car Couture Ad Turns Car Parts into Dressmaking Layouts
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
Provocative Tequila Campaigns
PATRÓN's ‘Censored Truth’ Sheds Light on Transparency
Urban Landscape-Inspired Campaigns
The Casablanca Fall 2025 Advertising Campaign is Interesting
Humorous Outdoor Apparel Campaigns
Columbia Sportswear Launches Engineered for Whatever
Delivery Driver-Centric Pizza Ads
Pizza Hut's New Commercial is Cheeky and Playful
Retail Advertising Campaigns
IKEA Hides Price Tags to Highlight Material Quality in a New Campaign
Brighton Retail Launch Ads
IKEA Brighton Uses Seagull Splatter Campaign to Win Local Attention
Geo-Targeted Beauty Campaigns
It's a 10 Haircare Engages Uber Riders Going to Ulta & Sally Beauty
Mobile Beauty Pop-Ups
Henkel’s göt2b Debuts a Citywide Mobile Beauty Experience
Art-Promoting Campaigns
Beige Billboards Spark a Bold Call to Save Charlotte’s Art Scene
Foggy Self-Care Billboards
eos' Windows of Self-Care Let Passersby Interact with Unique Personas
Nightmarish Mobile Campaigns
Liquid Death Created the Cellphone Bill Character for Boost Mobile
Typographic Play Structures
Icon Climbers Create Playgrounds Where Alphabet Meets Jungle Gym
Pet-Finding Billboards
Hrvatski Telekom Created Scented Billboards That Attract Lost Dogs
Personalized AI Billboards
Mercado Libre's Custom Billboards Analyze Their Surroundings and Adapt
Cheeky Bar-Focused Campaigns
Heineken Advocates for Financial Support for Bars with Starring Bars
Customer-Starring Billboards
Bobbie's Campaign Spotlights Moms as "the OG Influencers"
AI Sun Care Billboards
The Burnable Billboard Shows Damage Caused to Human Skin in Real-Time
Marketer-Targeted Albums
The Spotify Tunetorials Campaign Blurs Education and Entertainment
Bee Habitat Billboards
Disney x National Geographic Bee Billboards Double as Shelters
Decluttered Ad Campaigns
IKEA Unpackaged Goods Organizes Branded Products into Storage Containers
Elevated In-Store Experiences
Bath & Body Works Adapts its Store Designs to Appeal to Gen Z
Festive Scratch-and-Sniff Billboards
Subway's Interactive Ad Shares the Aroma of Stuffing
Imaginative Fantasy-Inspired Campaigns
Canva Spotlights its Creative Tools Ahead of Halloween
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
Scan-to-Sniff Fragrance Billboards
Rare Beauty's Activation with Shopify Shop Promote a New Scent
Analog-Themed Camera Campaigns
Polaroid Launched 'The Camera for an Analog Life'
Furniture-Inspired Acting Games
Wayfair's Chair-Ades Challenge Puts a Rewarding Spin on Charades
Innovative Outdoor Advertising Campaigns
Unilever's Dirt is Good Turns Billboards into Playgrounds
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
Feel-Good Ad Campaigns
Pella’s 'Make Life Brighter' Campaign Celebrates Home and Comfort
Traveling Fashion Showcases
The Guess Bus in Sydney is an Example of Experimental Marketing
Sofa-Centered Marketing Activations
This Sofa Club Activation Encouraged Consumers to Take a Seat
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
Early Allergen Exposure Ads
The Square Baby Super Bowl Spot Promotes a Science-Backed Message
Reimagined Classic Beer Campaigns
Guinness Gives 'A Lovely Day' a Modern Artistic Refresh
Lyrics-Inspired OOH Campaigns
Taskrabbit Interprets Pop Culture Songs for Summer Home Tasks
Humorous Chocolate Spots
Toblerone Introduced its ‘Chocolate Like Nobody’s Watching’
Multi-Sensory Movie Experiences
Scentbird x I Know What You Did Last Summer Enhanced a Screening
Interactive Scented Billboard Ads
LOLA MullenLowe Presents a Scented Lynx/Axe Campaign
Inaugural Vodka Billboard Campaigns
ALB Vodka Introduces Its First Billboard in New York City
Experiential Grocery Campaigns
No Name launches a multi-city grocery goss campaign
Ice Cream Popsicle Campaigns
Häagen Dazs’ Devoured Campaign Sparks Craving Through Absence
Playfully Branded Crosswalks
OREO Turned Marked Areas Outside Some Kroger Stores into OREO Walks
Traffic Light-Inspired Benches
Muddycap's Traffic Light Bench Mimics a Street Signals
Social-First Body Care Campaigns
Suave Runs the 'Smell Like Your Ex(foliating Body Wash)'
Activity Gear Billboards
Ocean Spray's Reclaim Happy Hour Activation Got Australians Up & Moving
Literary Tourism Innovations
Jane Austen Festival Launches Character Trail Through Bath Streets
Interactive Embrace Billboards
giffgaff's Huggable Poster Conveys the Feeling of Being Valued
Spontaneity-Inspired Travel Campaigns
Wyndham Debuts 'Where There's a Wyndham, There's a Way'
Athletic Event-Timed Tech Campaigns
TCL Ran a Comprehensive Ad Campaign During the Olympics
Cut-Out Easter Treat Disguises
Cadbury Created Print Ads That Hide Easter Eggs as Everyday Items
High-Concept Brand Campaigns
The ‘Legitimate You’ Campaign Proves Every Brand Can Look Pro
Food-Inspired Street Art
Knorr's Dish Pics Campaign Replaces Unwanted, Unsavory Images
Interactive Traveling Marketing Initiatives
Heinz Pllayfully Spotlights the Heinz Ketchup Zero
Monarch Butterfly-Inspired Digital Billboards
LG Electronics Expands Its Endangered Species Series
Football-Focused Venue Marketing Campaigns
Dave & Buster's Delivers on Social Atmosphere & Dining
Music-Driven Hospitality Concepts
W Montréal and Billboard Launch Billboard Live at W Montréal
Customized Restaurant Campaign Platforms
OpenTable Has Launched OpenTable Media
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
Creative Cancer Awareness Campaigns
F Cancer Debuts the 'Pick Up Your Poop' Campaign
Manatee-Spotlighting 3D Billboard Displays
LG Electronics USA Highlights the West Indian Manatee
Carrier Pigeon Campaigns
The Travel Agency's Viral Project Pigeon Spiked Social Media Engagement
Immersive Store Screens
Hays Travel Introduces Immersive Technology to Transform Holiday Planning
Sustainable Retail Interiors
Sheep Inc London Store Uses Sculptural Displays & Graphic Art
Branded App Takeovers
TikTok Introduces Logo Takeover Ads That Dominate the App’s Opening Screen
Post-Game Breakfast Campaigns
McDonald's Flipped Its Ads Sideways for Super Bowl Recovery
Hyperreal Safety Installations
Sunburnt Car by TBWA\Eleven Visualizes In-Car UV Exposure
Contextual Map Advertising Features
Apple Introduced Ads In Maps Through Apple Business
Sun Care Awareness Tours
Sun Bum Launches the 'Trust The Bum Tour'
Performance Marketing Platforms
PebblePost Expanded into Connected Television Advertising
Interactive Game Advertisements
Samsung Ads GameBreaks Encourage Deeper Engagement
Body Typography Campaigns
Holland & Barrett Back Your Body Uses Anatomy to Form Letter Shapes
Multi-Level Cancer Awareness Campaigns
The United Breast Cancer Foundation is at Times Square
Celeb-Packed Humorous Beer Campaigns
Bud Light's Keg Commercial is Airing for Super Bowl LX
Open-Air Libraries
The IKEA Billyothèque Invites Passersby to Browse, Borrow or Donate Books
Honest Senior Living Campaigns
Benchmark Senior Living's In Their Own Words Shares Real Stories
Conscientious Tourism Campaigns
Evaneos Advocates Against Overtourism in a New Campaign
Clinical Retail Media
PatientPoint Bridges Healthcare and Commerce
Girded Billboard Posters
Irn-Bru And Lucky Generals Introduced Girders Posters
Predictive Mobile Advertising Features
T-Mobile Advertising Solutions Unveiled Contextual AI Ads
No-Nonsense Grooming Campaigns
The Rock Face Makes Scents Campaign Pokes Fun at Marketing Cliches
Subway Cabin Makeovers
British Airways NYC Subway Turns Commute into an In-Flight Experience
Swapped Phone Campaigns
KitKat Phone Break Depicts Devices Traded for Chocolate Wafer Bars
Social Home Cleaning Campaigns
CLR Brands Aims to Make Cleaning Attractive in New Campaign
Repurposed Election Materials
South Korea Transforms Election Banners into Sustainable Materials
Interactive Streaming Ads
Spotify Turns Listening into Engagement with Carousel Ads
LED Stop Arm Extensions
BusGates Emphasizes School Bus Safety with a New Bus Feature
Playful Brand Messaging Campaigns
Chicago Town Pizza Unveiled the 'It IS that deep' Ad
Appealing Text-To-Visual Tools
Word Glow Converts Text into Stunning Visuals for Social Media
Ball Game-Promoting Urban Initiatives
London Sport and Saatchi & Saatchi Run 'More Ball Games'
Physical-World Data Marketing
WPP Uses Google Earth AI to Predict Real-World Consumer Behavior
Summer-Forward Food Billboards
Waitrose Launched its 'Let Your Summer Side Out' Campaign
Seasonal Reservation Street Installations
Uber UK Launches 'Reserve' by Mother
Ad Creation Platforms
Magritte Helps Marketers Discover, Design, and Launch Ads Quickly
Customizable Marketing Postcards
Smartpress' Sticker & Magnet Postcards Fight Digital Fatigue
Cheeky Auto Campaigns
Hyndai Presents the Entertaining and Practical He Got Money Campaign
Emotionally Engaging Holiday Advertisements
Teleflora Captured Attention with The Power Of Wishes
Automated Design Creation
CreateMyBanner Uses AI to Generate Custom Social Media Banners
Painting Display Campaigns
Nothing Interprets Pointillism in Its Artful Nod to Smartphone Displays
Urban-Inspired Bag Campaigns
côte&ciel's Latest Editorial Campaign is Dubbed Rhythms of Transit
Local Shop Portrait Campaigns
Coca-Cola Highlights Bosses Campaign Celebrating 125 Years in UK
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
Calmly Dimmed Billboard Campaigns
Nescafé Joins Oglivy to Create the Decaf Billboards
UK-Expanded Furnishing Campaigns
Blum UK Unveils the 'More Than A Drawer' Campaign
Sun-Drenched Furniture Installations
Corona Cero's Sun Tags Help Urban Workers Reenergize Outdoors
Retail Conversation Marketing Campaigns
Tesco Launches 'Need Anything From Tesco' Platform
Effortless Announcement Banners
Notice Me Please! Lets You Create & Schedule Announcement Banners
Multi-Level Cancer Awareness Ads
The United Breast Cancer Foundation is at Times Square