“LOL” and “hahaha” are what we know as humor, and creating it is an admirable feat that’s not as easy as it may seem.

Although generally associated with comedies and stand-up, humor flows far beyond entertainment into areas like out-of-home (OOH) ads.

You’re probably used to seeing “Call this number for these awesome, definitely (not) cheap services” and “This dealership is having a crazy good sale, buy a car right now!” at 8 a.m. Most billboards are corporate-toned, basic, and blah. When was the last time you smiled driving past a billboard for $2.99/lb apples?

What Are the Effects of Creating Slight Grins?

The effects are actually quite generous. A corny slogan and relatable imagery show that a brand is “one of us,” and the joy these messages create has tangible results:

Camel’s Back Broken Yet? Here’s the Straw.

The world craves laughter! Younger generations, especially Gen Z, are drawn to brands that let their authenticity shine through humor and relatability. Many Gen Zers follow brands purely for their sense of humor.

Humor draws audiences in and captures their loyalty, which pays off in sales like no other element. There are so many examples of this that it’s pretty much undeniable:

Of course, there are risks. Never go too far, and definitely don’t offend anyone. People have feelings, and with large-scale ads, it’s easy to unintentionally step on some major toes.