# Crowdsourcing Billboards American Apparel Wants You to Vote on Storefront Sign By Going Like Sixty | Published 2009-04-14 | Marketing Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/american-apparel-wants-you-to-vote-on-storefront-sign References: [americanapparel.net](http://www.americanapparel.net/flash/src/auto/481/index.html) American Apparel loves fleshy young ads, and now American Apparel is turning to [crowd sourcing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/you-speak-we-listened-pop-up) to determine what the retailer will display on the [front of its Harlem store](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/outdoor-advertising-campaign). Choose from the slideshow and the winner will be dominating the street and sidewalks for weeks. The images are very tame by American Apparel standards, not the [sexually charged photos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/people-will-talk) usually associated with American Apparel. **Implications** - In today's 24-hour news cycle society, corporations can create an indelible brand image by cultivating an edgy, controversial reputation. Ad campaigns that are highly sexually charged or feature suggestive words can draw attention from loyal brand consumers, brand opponents and the media. It is an effective way to create lasting brand awareness. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.7/10 - Popularity: 94% | Activity: 99% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 10% men, 90% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing) > [Branding](https://www.trendhunter.com/branding) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Crowdsourced Advertising:** The use of crowdsourcing for advertising campaigns can effectively create lasting brand awareness and generate excitement among consumers. - **Interactive Branding:** Corporations can create an indelible brand image through interactive branding campaigns that engage consumers and promote a sense of community involvement. - **Controversial Advertising:** Controversial ad campaigns can draw attention from both loyal brand consumers and brand opponents, generating media buzz and increased brand recognition. ### Where This Applies - **Advertising:** The advertising industry can leverage crowdsourcing and interactive branding techniques to create innovative and attention-grabbing ad campaigns. - **Retail:** Retailers can utilize interactive storefront signage to engage customers and create a sense of community involvement with their brand. - **Media:** Media outlets can benefit from covering controversial ad campaigns, as they draw attention and generate buzz among consumers and the public. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Interactive Garment Billboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sweaty-betty-all-good-in-the-hood.md) - [Crowdsourced Outfit-Picking Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/choiced.md) - [Deserted Island Billboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/silk-spice1.md) - [Creative Ad Responses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kiehls-response.md) - [Sensory Outdoor Posters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/scratchandsniff-ooh-campaign.md) - [Art-Promoting Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beige-billboards.md) - [Customer-Starring Billboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/og-influencers.md) - [Provocative Guerrilla Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mwcurated.md) - [Interactive Sandwich Billboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sandwich-billboard.md)