# Hoax Hacks Skullphone Fakes Digital Billboard Hijack By lourdes sanchez bayas | Published 2008-03-26 | Unique Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/billboard-hijacking-graffiti-artist-hacks-clear-channel References: [engadget](http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/26/skullphones-clear-channel-billboards-not-hax0r3d-actually-pa1d/) It was rumoured that a series of [Clear Channel](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fanta-halloween-projection) digital billboards were hacked by an 18 year old [graffiti artist](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mosaic-north-america) by the name of Skullphone. As of March 25th, 10 billboards in LA were displaying Skullphone's logo (a skull talking on a phone) intermittently along with their regular ads. And you can bet your last penny that right now, as I type this trend, tens of kids out there with similar skills as Skullphone, are marveling at this feat and plotting [billboard hijackings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3d-billboards) of their own that will, no doubt, propel them into instant[underground culture] fame. Even if its only for 15 minutes. That *was* the rumor... but the truth has been revealed and it's no where near as exciting as it turns out Skullphone paid Clear Channel to tamper with the billboards. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.1/10 - Popularity: 71% | Activity: 75% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Unique](https://www.trendhunter.com/unique) > [Pranks](https://www.trendhunter.com/pranks) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Digital Billboard Hacking:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop advanced security systems to prevent unauthorized access and tampering of digital billboards. - **Graffiti Art in Advertising:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore collaborations between graffiti artists and advertising agencies to create unique and attention-grabbing ad campaigns. - **Underground Culture Phenomenon:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Tap into the appeal of underground culture to create targeted marketing strategies and products that resonate with younger generations. ### Who This Affects Most - **Advertising:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate blockchain technology into advertising platforms to ensure transparency and prevent fraudulent activities like paid hacking. - **Security:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop AI-powered surveillance systems specifically designed to detect and prevent digital billboard hacking attempts. - **Art:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Design interactive art installations that combine digital billboards and graffiti to create immersive experiences for viewers. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Spooky Street Ad Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fanta-halloween-projection.md) - [Immersive Hybrid Billboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/halloween-thrillboards.md) - [Artful Illusory Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/illusion-artwork.md) - [Athletic Apparel Interactive Billboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shoplift-campaign.md) - [Flame-Grilled Billboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flame-grilled-billboard.md) - [Food Truck Billboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/food-truck-billboard.md) - [Enigmatic Graffiti Incidents](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/enigmatic-graffiti.md) - [Cheesestring Trading Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cheesestring-trading-ad.md) - [Mixed-Reality Cola Billboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3d-coca-cola-billboard.md)