# Monumental Startup Stunts The Tremendous Square Times Square Billboards By Amelia Roblin | Published 2011-02-14 | Marketing Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/square-times-square-billboards References: [fastcompany](http://www.fastcompany.com/1726754/square-breaks-with-3000-marketing-budget-for-big-times-square-ads) & [jackdorsey.posterous](http://jackdorsey.posterous.com/nyc-all-i-want-for-squares-2nd-are-photos-of) In time for the startup company's second birthday, the [Square Times Square](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/square) billboards demonstrate how much of a bang the [mobile paying system](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/square-handheld) is beginning to create. Taking over the entire corner of New York City's 49th and [Broadway](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chazmo-the-musical), the business has gone swiftly from its $3,000 annual marketing budget to celebrating a $27 million funding round. Seeing its greatest publicity potential through social media, Square opted also for these colossal Square Times Square billboards that were -- believe it or not -- absolutely free. As a gift to the burgeoning company, these enormous NYC ads made cofounder Jack Dorsey so happy he tweeted it. Perhaps the funds that made this display a reality were transferred through Square itself? ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.8/10 - Popularity: 64% | Activity: 42% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing) > [Publicity Stunts](https://www.trendhunter.com/publicitystunts) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Mobile Payment Systems:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the field of mobile payment systems to create more visibility and buzz around their products or services. - **Large-scale Outdoor Advertising:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the outdoor advertising industry by exploring new ways to provide free or low-cost advertising space for startups. - **Social Media Marketing:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the field of social media marketing to leverage user-generated content and create viral campaigns that generate significant publicity. ### Who This Affects Most - **Fintech:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the fintech industry to develop new payment solutions that offer more convenience and better customer experience. - **Advertising:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the advertising industry to offer alternative methods of advertising that are cost-effective and provide high visibility for startups. - **Digital Marketing:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the digital marketing industry to create unique and engaging campaigns that leverage social media to generate organic reach and brand awareness. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Creator-Friendly Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/creatorcentric-billboard.md) - [Multi-Level Cancer Awareness Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/united-breast-cancer-foundations.md) - [Miniature Billboard Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mini-media.md) - [High-Profile Live Performance Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/highprofile-marketing-event.md) - [Global Product Launch Events](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/go-get.md) - [Playful Creative Design Billboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3d-billboards.md) - [Charitable Live-Marketing Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/living-billboards.md) - [Cheeky Electric Vehicles Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/koda-hijacks-competitors.md) - [Interactive Sandwich Billboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sandwich-billboard.md)