Supermarkets and retail outlets are perfect places to advertise and promote your products or services. However, the bustling high street is also a great avenue to showcase your offerings. This is commonly referred to as street advertising. From billboards to street furniture, this idea has evolved over time.
Let’s talk about this concept more in this guide. Let’s discuss the different types of street advertising and the strategies you may consider to implement it properly.
What Is Street Advertising?
Street advertising is a type of advertising technique that is done outside any establishment. Sometimes, it is also called out-of-home (OOH) advertising. It utilises unconventional ideas to boost brands to people outside their homes.
Types of Street Advertising
Businesses can use different street ad methods to capture their target audience’s attention. Here are some ideas you may adopt and leverage to provide a memorable and impactful experience.
1. Traditional Billboards
These two are some of the most common types of outdoor advertising. They feature bold visuals and convey succinct messages. They are large structures commonly set up in high-traffic areas to maximise exposure.
In addition, advertisers can tailor promotional billboards to fit the size and format, making them ideal for promoting brand awareness and product launches.
Though billboards are the perfect medium for advertising, there are also some disadvantages to utilising them such as the cost and the possibility of vandalism. The weather may also impact the effectiveness of these materials.
2. Posters and Wildposting
Posters are a popular form of advertising. They are typically displayed on walls, construction sites and other visible locations.
On the other hand, wildposting or flyposting involves plastering posters on unauthorised areas. They are often seen in urban areas with high foot traffic to create buzz and make grassroots marketing approach.
3. Street Furniture Ads
They refer to advertisements placed on public fixtures like bus stops, benches, trash cans, sheds, and many others. This type of ad blends seamlessly into the urban set-up, providing a subtle way to promote products or services.
There are many ways to design a piece of street furniture according to your ad's objectives. Whether you aim to inform, persuade, or remind your target audiences about your brand, you can create a suitable advertising tool for your brand.
To give you an excellent example, we featured this creative outdoor advertisement — bicycle parking furniture we found on the streets of France.
Moreover, bus stops are another public area businesses can utilise to maximise their promotion.
4. Guerilla Marketing
This is an unconventional method of engaging and delighting the audience. It may include flash mobs or pop-up installations. Likewise, it involves the unexpected and imaginative campaigns that take place in public places.
Furthermore, guerrilla marketing can genearte buzz and viral traction through unexpected encounters and social media sharing.
5. Mobile Advertising
This type of street advertising refers to campaigns utilising vehicles such as cars, trucks and buses. Vehicles are often wrapped or installed with colourful graphics as they travel through streets.
6. Projection Campaigns
Due to technological advancements, street advertising has evolved quickly. In addition to traditional billboards and posters, projections allow businesses to promote their offerings in a more modern way.
This technique includes projecting advertisements onto buildings, sidewalks, and other surfaces using high-powered projectors.
7. Human Billboards
It refers to individuals wearing advertisement boards or customers who are often attractive and engaging with the public. This method is effective in crowded areas, events or busy street corners.
Human backpack billboards are certainly more cost-effective than other promotional billboard designs. They are designed with a hidden stand, allowing companies to use them in other forms of marketing.
8. Vehicle Wraps
Installing wraps on vans and other vehicles easily increases branded awareness through their mobility and the number of people they are exposed to on the road.
Our team spotted this van wrap advertising by Pokka, which we couldn’t help but check out. The promotion is for the 50th anniversary of the brand that first started producing lemon juice for ladies in Japan.
Since vehicles move from place to place, people often see your business. Also, advertisers can easily target specific locations or events, reaching diverse audiences.
9. Street Arts and Murals
This outdoor ad involves creating large and visually captivating artworks on walls, buildings and public spaces. Sometimes, businesses commission artists to create the murals. These serve as a form of advertisement and contribute to enhancing urban areas. Likewise, it also showcases the creativity of the business.
Proven Strategies for Effective Street Advertising
Needless to say, street ads are a powerful way to capture the attention of a diverse audience. Whether you are a business looking on how to leverage this advertising method, here are some proven strategies to do it effectively.
1. Know Who Your Target Audience Are
Just like any other advertising campaign, it is crucial to determine who your target audience is. Start to understand the behaviour and personality of these people. Conduct your market research and identify their interest.
Through this, you can easily select the most appropriate location and creative elements to integrate in your campaign.
2. Choose Your Location Wisely
Finding the perfect location to set up your street advertising is the most important part of your campaign. Identify high-traffic areas, check area visibility and the relevance of this location to your business.
Strategic placement can help ensure maximum exposure and engagement of your business.
3. Be Creative and Memorable
As street advertising is a normal idea nowadays, being creative, unique and memorable should always be considered. Use visuals that stand out from the rest to provide an exceptional experience to your audience.
Incorporate innovative ideas such as augmented reality or any other interactive technology such as QR codes.
4. Be Authentic and Relevant
Since the street ad is a competitive arena, being authentic is crucial. Always ensure your campaigns align with your values and resonate with your target audience.
Integrate relatable content that stirs interest and connects with your market. Moreover, authenticity creates a stronger impact and builds a positive perception towards your brand.
5. Integrate Offline and Online Marketing
In addition to utilising the street, you can integrate marketing channels such as radio, television, and online media to leverage your campaign. Consistent messaging across several media can help reiterate your campaign's benefits and improve brand identification.
Bonus Ideas:
Shade products are the solution to extended exposure of people under the sun while maximizing space for advertisement. Below are various shade products to get you started!
Outdoor sun sails are not just eye candy but also effective in providing shade and comfort for people who spend time outdoors. If you’re looking for a spontaneous way to bring your brand out there, we have listed down the top reasons why these custom shade canopies are your way to go!
Street pole banners are a form of outdoor advertising typically hung from street signs, poles, and light posts in a way that allows them to be seen from a distance.
Compared to most OOH such as street advertising furniture and bespoke display stands which requires great creativity to pop out, an LED advertising panel immediately gets attention.
Red Bull Street Advertising: A Success Story
Red Bull sets an illustrious example for making a successful street advertising campaign by hosting an outdoor promotional event. During a recent excursion to Stanley Market in Hong Kong, Red Bull actively engaged in street marketing, specifically by distributing their renowned energy drink cans. This cost-effective and highly efficient method immediately captured attention.
Red Bull’s Vision and Street Marketing Strategy
With the aim of surpassing Coca-Cola in the global soft drink market, Red Bull strategically employs street marketing to enhance sales. Unlike easily skippable commercials, outdoor advertising effortlessly captures attention. Consequently, Red Bull’s famed “wings girls” further amplifies the impact, garnering extra attention from passersby.
The brilliance behind Red Bull’s street marketing lies in creating a personal connection with consumers. Subsequently, the primary objective is to establish a sense of belonging. This, in turn, strengthens brand loyalty and recall, making people feel part of the Red Bull family.
Let’s dissect the key elements that contribute to Red Bull’s street marketing success:
WING GIRLS: CAPTURING ATTENTION
The brand's use of “wings girls” is a standout element. These ambassadors not only promote the brand but also attract curious gazes. When implementing your street marketing strategy, consider incorporating eye-catching elements that resonate with your brand identity.
COOLER BAG INNOVATION: A REFRESHING TWIST
The firm’s cooler bags are fashioned like oversized cans and adorned with the brand’s logo and vibrant colours. They play a vital role in the success formula. Imagine synergizing this creative concept with a beautiful spring day—an ideal scenario for enhancing brand visibility and engaging consumers.
Putting It All Together
Street advertising undeniably offers a unique and powerful way to connect with different types of audiences in public spaces. You can implement a campaign that will surely resonate with your target market by utilising the different ideas presented above.
Therefore, as technology advances, street advertising will definitely improve in the years to come. All you have to do is to find a partner that will help you make your ideas happen.
At ODM, we boast considerable expertise in designing, sourcing, and manufacturing products. Trust us to manage your marketing budgets efficiently. With our extensive industry experience, you can always depend on the quality of our products. For inquiries about promotional giveaways or items, contact us or our design team at Mindsparkz for personalized assistance.
Street Advertising FAQs
All you need to know about street advertising!
What are some examples of creative street advertising ideas?
There are many creative street advertising ideas that brands have utilized in the past, such as billboards, projection advertising, street art, and guerrilla marketing campaigns. The key is to create advertising that is unique, eye-catching, and relevant to the audience.
How much does street advertising cost?
The cost of street advertising can vary greatly depending on factors such as the location, duration, complexity, and size of the advertisement. Some forms of street advertising, such as posters or flyers, can be relatively inexpensive, while others, such as large-scale mural installations, can be more costly. It is best to research the cost of different options to determine the best fit for your budget and goals.
What is the benefit of street advertising over traditional advertising methods?
Street advertising offers several benefits over traditional advertising methods such as television or print. For one, it offers a unique opportunity to engage with local communities in public spaces. It can create memorable and long-lasting impressions on audiences and can become a landmark or tourist attraction in itself. Additionally, street advertising can be shared across social media, offering a potential reach that traditional advertising methods may not be able to achieve.