# Virtual Billboards Brands are experimenting with 'virtual out-of-home' ads in the metaverse. By [Niko Pajkovic](https://www.trendhunter.com/NikoPajkovic), Senior Editor & Research Writer | Published Sep 20, 2022 | Category: [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/marketing-strategy) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/virtual-billboards ## Key Figures - Trend score: 6.4/10 - Evidence articles: 4 ## What is the Virtual Billboards trend? **Virtual Billboards:** As metaverse platforms gain popularity, various brands are integrating virtual out-of-home (VOOH) ads into their campaigns. Like traditional out-of-home advertising, VOOH formats consist of billboards and signage. However, with VOOH, these ads are on display in completely virtual worlds. ## The consumer insight behind the Virtual Billboards trend While the metaverse provides new opportunities for direct-to-you marketing, the kind of ads associated with these strategies can feel invasive and overwhelming for consumers. Because of this, brands are testing out VOOH ads, as these formats mimic the passive style of real-life billboards and signage. In doing so, they are catering to consumers' desire for less intrusive digital advertising while introducing a novel — and appropriately "meta" — tactic for capturing attention. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 4 featured examples - Articles from: Dec 17, 2021 to Sep 20, 2022 - Published: Sep 20, 2022 - Patterns: [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection), [Reduction](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/reduction) - Megatrends: [Experience](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/experience) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Themes within the Virtual Billboards trend ### Virtual Out-of-Home (VOOH) Advertising As metaverse platforms gain popularity, brands are experimenting with VOOH ads because it allows for less invasive digital advertising. ### Metaverse Construction and Development Solutions Web3 companies are partnering with video game and virtual experience advertising firms to create new profitable virtual worlds. ### 3D Immersive Advertising Brands are using Roblox and other metaverse platforms to create 3D immersive ad experiences for Gen Z and Gen Alpha consumers. ## What the Virtual Billboards trend means for industry ### For Advertising and Marketing Leveraging the metaverse platform to test new advertising techniques like VOOH ads and immersive 3D ad experiences. ### For Virtual Reality and Video Games Collaborating with web3 companies to create profitable virtual worlds and in-game advertising solutions. ### For NFTs and Blockchain Creating new advertising platforms for the metaverse with NFTs that allow for passive advertising on billboards. ## Workshop question How could your brand integrate a more passive advertising strategy? ## Trend signals for Virtual Billboards Trend score 6.4 out of 10, from popularity 96%, activity 82%, freshness 13%. - Popularity: 96% - Activity: 82% - Freshness: 13% ## Examples of the Virtual Billboards trend 4 featured examples from Dec 17, 2021 to Sep 20, 2022. - [Metaverse Advertising Services](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nft-plazas): 'NFT Plazas' Announced a Billboard Advertising Platform (Category: Tech) Implication: The advertising industry can take advantage of the immersive and interactive nature of the metaverse to reach consumers in new ways. - [Dynamic Metaverse Billboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/metaverse-billboard): Roblox is Allowing Brands to Put 3D Promos in Virtual Worlds & Games (Category: Marketing) Implication: Advertising agencies and brands can look to develop unique and innovative metaverse advertising campaigns to reach a new audience. - [Metaverse Construction Companies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/landvault): Admix and Landvault Teamed up for Metaverse Development Solutions (Category: Tech) Implication: Digital Advertising industries can seek to merge with virtual world construction companies and explore new avenues of advertising placement within virtual spaces. - [Metaverse Billboard Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/admix): Ocean Partners with Admix to Offer Clients Metaverse Billboard Advertising (Category: Marketing) Implication: The Out of Home advertising industry is being disrupted by the integration of digital billboards in virtual worlds and the potential for cross-channel marketing campaigns. ## Recent trend clusters - [Package Play](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/promotional-food-packaging) (Marketing) - [Gentle Diagnostics](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/home-heart-screening) (Lifestyle) - [Targeted Macros](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/functional-protein-ingredients) (Lifestyle) - [Flavor Borrowing](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/soft-drink-flavor-mashups) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Marketing - [Mystery Packaging Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cow-not-laughing) - [Remarkably Comfortable Canadian Sleepwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sleep-the-label) - [Food-Powered Sonic Branding](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/food-powered-sonic-branding) - [Nostalgic Beauty Mascots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bliss-girl-series) All articles: [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing)