Advertisements are everywhere—plastered to neighborhood lamp posts, positioned between the advice column and the op-eds…
Billboard ads are a great way to get your message out there. They are big, bold, and impossible to ignore. Over the years, many clever and funny billboards have popped up. We have gathered some of our favorites for you to check out! Some of these billboards are downright hilarious, while others are simply clever. But all of them will make you stop and take notice!
In this blog post, we will look at 7 of the funniest billboards over the years. Some are informative and keep you thinking, but all will make you laugh! We will also explain the meaning behind each one so that you can appreciate the billboard advertising even more!
1. YOLO
YOLO is one of the most popular phrases of recent years, and it’s also the perfect message for a billboard advertisement. YOLO is about living life to the fullest and enjoying every moment, so what better way to spread that message than with a funny billboard? This particular billboard advertisement was spotted in Los Angeles, and it features a cartoon character holding a sign that says YOLO. The character looks happy and carefree, which is precisely how you should live.
2. Don’t Mess With Texas
This famous slogan was created in 1986 as part of a campaign to reduce litter in Texas. The phrase is now used on everything from T-shirts to bumper stickers. This billboard is an excellent example of taking a serious message and making it funny. The original version of this hilarious billboard said Don’t Mess with Texas, but someone decided to add a little extra humor by incorporating it to Not toss-out.
The new message is still effective in getting the point across, but it’s also much more amusing. If you’re ever driving through Texas, keep an eye out for this hilarious billboard.
3. The Most Interesting Man in the World
This ad campaign for Dos Equis beer featured a sophisticated, elegant man with a voiceover listing all his exciting accomplishments. The campaign was so successful that it spawned dozens of imitations.
4. Keep Austin Weird
Austin, Texas is well-known for its weird and eccentric residents, so it’s no surprise that a billboard would promote the city’s uniqueness and creativity. Keep Austin Weird is a famous slogan among locals and it. We’ve all been there before. You clog someone’s toilet, and then you’re stuck dealing with the consequences. This funny billboard was spotted in Canada, and it features a man in a toilet plunger costume with the caption If you clog it, we’ll unclog it.
5. Don’t Drink and Drive
This is a serious message that is conveyed humorously. The billboard features a cartoon character holding a beer, with the caption don’t drink and drive. It’s a clever play on words, and it’s sure to make people think twice about drinking and driving.
6. Just Do It
Nike is one of the most popular brands in the world, and its iconic just do it slogan has inspired people of all ages to get up and move. But that doesn’t mean that Nike can’t have a little fun with their advertising. Over the years, they’ve released some hilarious billboards that will make you laugh.
7. Where’s the Beef Made?
This 1984 ad campaign for Wendy’s featured a woman named Clara Peller asking where the beef was in other fast-food hamburgers. The ads were so popular that they made Clara an overnight sensation.
What Makes a Billboard Funny and Why Do They Work So Well?
If you’re driving down the highway and see a funny billboard, it’s hard not to laugh. But what makes a billboard funny? And how are billboards made, and why do they work so well?
There are a few things that make a billboard funny:
- Timing: Many times, billboards are timed perfectly with current events. For example, a recent dating app ad said, swipe left if you voted for Trump. This was awesome because it was relevant to current events (the 2016 Presidential Election) and made fun of Trump supporters.
- Wordplay: Many times, advertisers use puns or wordplay to make their billboards humorous. For example, an ad for a laundry detergent said stain stick: For those hard-to-reach stains. This is brilliant because it plays on words (stain/stick) and a double entendre (hard-to-reach/stains).
- Sarcasm: Sarcasm is another excellent way to make a billboard funny. For example, an ad for a car company said our cars get better mileage than your relationships. It is clever because it’s sarcastic, and it’s also true!
So, why do billboards work so well? I think it has to do with the fact that they’re unexpected. Driving down the highway, you’re not expecting to see a funny billboard. So, when you do see one, it’s like a breath of fresh air. It’s a nice break from the mundane task of driving.
How to Create a Successful Billboard Campaign That Will Make People Laugh
When creating a successful billboard campaign, there are a few billboard advertising rules you need to keep in mind. First and foremost, your billboards need to be eye-catching and attention-grabbing. But more importantly, they need to be funny. People love laughing, and if you can make them laugh with your billboards, you’re sure to get their attention. But how do you create funny billboards that will make people laugh? Here are a few tips:
- Use humor that is appropriate for your brand. You don’t want to use offensive or crude humor that could turn potential customers away from your brand. Instead, focus on humor that is clever and witty.
- Keep it simple. Don’t try to cram too much information onto your billboard. Keep the message short, and to the point, so people can easily understand it.
- Use images or graphics to complement the text. A funny picture can go a long way in making people laugh and remember your billboard.
With these tips in mind, you’re well on your way to creating a successful and funny billboard campaign that will make people laugh. Just remember to keep it appropriate, simple, and clever, and you’ll surely get some laughs.
The Best Ways to Use Humor in Advertising
There’s no question that humor is one of the best ways to get attention. And what better way to use humor than in advertising? Billboards are an excellent medium for humor to get attention and sell products. Some of the most successful billboards have used humor to great effect. For example, a recent ad campaign for Kmart featured a billboard with the next big sale! Everything must go!” followed by a smaller sign that said, except this sign. The ad was clever and got people talking about Kmart.
Another great example of using humor in advertising is an old ad campaign for Volkswagen. The ads featured pictures showing people driving VWs with captions that were puns on famous sayings or phrases. For example, one ad showed a man driving a VW with the caption I’m not going to take this sitting down.
So if you’re looking for a way to get attention and sell a product, using humor in your advertising is a great way to do it. Just be sure your humor is appropriate for your audience and doesn’t offend anyone.
The Risks of Using Humor in Advertising
When trying to be funny in your ad campaigns, there’s a fine line between clever and cheesy, funny and offensive. And if you don’t walk that line just right, you could end up with an ad that doesn’t achieve its intended purpose and damages your brand’s reputation.
That’s why it’s so important to take the time to think about your audience and what sort of sense of humor they might have before creating any sort of campaign that includes humor. If you’re not sure whether or not your idea is funny or if it might offend someone, err on the side of caution and scrap it. It’s not worth the risk.
So what are some examples of ads that have gotten it right? Here are a few of our favorites:
- This ad for Trojan condoms is funny and practical, managing to get its point across without being crude or offensive.
- This ad from Pepsi is an excellent example of using humor to appeal to their target demographic – young people.
- And this ad from Kmart is just plain clever. It’s the perfect example of how a little humor can go a long way.
When done right, humor can be a great way to grab attention and make your brand more memorable. But as with anything, it’s important to proceed cautiously and ensure you’re not overstepping any boundaries. After all, it’s not worth risking your brand’s reputation just to get a few laughs.
The Future of Advertising and How Digital Billboards are Changing the Game
With the rise of digital technology, it was only a matter of time before billboards went digital. And that’s exactly what’s happening. Digital billboards are slowly but surely popping up all over the country, and they’re changing the advertising landscape.
Here are some of the benefits of digital billboards:
They’re More Eye-Catching Than Traditional Billboards
Thanks to their bright colors and moving images, digital billboards are impossible to ignore. And that means your message is more likely to be seen and remembered.
They’re Highly Customizable
With traditional billboards, you’re limited to a static image and a few words of text. But with digital billboards, you can change your message as often as you like, giving you much more flexibility.
They’re Interactive
Digital billboards can be equipped with sensors that detect weather conditions and traffic patterns. You can use this information to tailor the message on the billboard to specific audiences. Digital billboards are the future of advertising, and there’s no doubt they’re here to stay. So if you’re looking for a way to get your message seen, digital billboards are worth considering.
Contact Us for Digital Billboard Services
Have you ever been curious as to how billboards are produced? We utilize cutting-edge technology and methods in order to create high-quality billboards that will get your message noticed. To discover more about our services, contact us now.
Sources:
Point Park: Advertising Techniques: Does Humor in Advertising Really Work?
Hubspot: Everything You Need to Know About Billboard Advertising