Categories: OOH Basics & Insights

Humor and OOH

“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?

Humor does the complete opposite. It uses pop culture and references that foster joy and laughter—a risk usually worth taking, and one known to strike viral moments.

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:

1

Lasting impressions

Viewers remember the ad long after seeing it.

2

Brand connection

Humor builds a positive association and relationship between consumers and companies.

3

Viral potential

See a billboard so funny you can’t stop laughing? You’ll snap a photo and share it with all your contacts.

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:

The bigger the laughs, the bigger the success.

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.

Keep it light
Keep it topical
Keep it universally funny

Laugh All the Way to the Bank

Play it safe, and deep belly chuckles are to come. Let’s make your next OOH ad one people can’t stop sharing!

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Michael Vargulin

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Michael Vargulin

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