Theatrical and functional are two traits that define the most popular 2014 billboard trends. In order to compete with a world that's full of mobile and digital ads, some of the most successful billboard marketing campaigns really put on a show. This includes billboards that are painted live, morph over time, make use of actors or feature interactive elements to demand engagement as well as attention.
Rather than simply occupying a space, additional examples of some of the year's most creative billboards offer appealing perks like free WiFi, ways cool off in the summer, shelter from the rain or a comfortable place to sit.
Trend Hunter's 2015 Trend Report provides an in-depth look at more examples of innovative billboard advertising and future of marketing.
Top 75 Billboards Trends of 2014

75
Sensually Silly Billboard Photography
The American Apparel by Thomas Alleman Shows Ill-Fitted Ads

74
River Cleaning Billboards
A Floating Water Purification Billboard is Making a Difference in Manila

73
Interactive Shopping Signs
The Videotel System Helps Shop Owners Create Digital Signs
72
Violent Shadow Billboards
UNICEF's Domestic Violence Ad Takes on a Darker Tone at Night
71
House-Converted Billboards
DesignDevelop Turns Ads into Shelters for the Homeless
70
Monthly Makeup Subscriptions
e.l.f's Beauty Bundle Box Feaures New Beauty Products and Tools
69
Starry Bioluminescent Billboards
O2's Starry Billboard Celebrates the Samsung Galaxy S5 Launch
68
Slenderized Yogurt Cups
The New Activia Packaging Conveys Its Yogurt is a Slimming Snack
67
Humanizing Homeless People Paintings
These Murals by Depaul UK is a Show of Street Art Activism
66
Real Dead Bunny Billboards
Hell Pizza is Advertising Easter Rabbit Pizza with Real Dead Rabbits
65
Fittingly Flexed Signage
The Bent iPhone Billboard Makes Fun of an Imperfect Product
64
Illuminating Child Abuse Ads
This UNICEF Bulgaria Billboard Aims to End Violence Against Children
63
Framed Snapshot Billboards
A Camera-Shaped Ad Frames a Perfect Shot with the Canon EOS 1200D
62
Perspective Illusion Billboards
Best FM's Interactive Poster Gets People to Shake Their Heads
61
Mind-Controlled Gaming Billboards
Mindpong Uses Interactive Billboard Advertising to Beat Cancer
60
Edible Cake Billboards
Mr Kipling Shows That 'Life is Better with Cake' by Sharing a Sweet Ad
59
Colossal Interactive Billboards
Google's Giant Times Square Billboard Hosts an Android Game
58
Charitable Wheelchair Bicycles
The Heartbike Supports the Heart and Stroke Foundation Bike Ride
57
Hoarding Auto Adverts
The Honda Fit Billboard Showcases All the Items One Can Put in Their Car
56
Abandoned Chocolate Ads
This Kit Kat Ad Shows a Literal Take on the Brand's Slogan
55
Terrifying Digital Billboards
Sky Austria Promotes 'The Walking Dead' with Shocking Zombies
54
Pre-Packaged Communion Cups
This Ergonomic Design Makes Wine and Bread Passing Less Complicated
53
Carefree Cityscape Campaigns
The Lacoste 'Life is a Beautiful Sport' Spring 2014 Ads are Whimsical
52
Live Update Tennis Billboards
This US Open Sports Marketing Campaign Relays Daily Match Highlights
51
Air-Purifying Billboards
UTEC is Taking on Peru's Construction Pollution with Clever Advertising
50
Scary Poster Pranks
This Amusement Park Promotion Advertises a Terrifying Ride in a Creepy Way
49
Freshly Painted Food Billboards
Gregg's Billboard Ad Has an Artist Prepare Food Paintings Live
48
Interactive Avatar-Making Billboards
McDonald's Little Piccadilly is an Interactive Advertisement
47
Storytelling Furniture Ads
IKEA's Billboards Shows Scenarios for Leafing Through Its Catalog
46
Digital Billboard Art Galleries
'Stockholm Is Your Canvas' Allows Citizens to Display Personal Art
45
Bird Seed Billboards
Nouvelle Soft's Toilet Paper Advertisement Has Nature Say Thanks
44
Sneaky Tweet-Revealed Ads
These Ads for the Isabel Marant H&M Collection Cleverly Use Twitter
43
Construction Site Clothing Campaigns
The David Beckham for H&M Bodywear Spring 2014 Ads Are Rugged
42
Interactive Flamethrowing Billboards
The ICE&FIRE; Interactive Drink Ad Calls for Social Media
41
Candy-Coated Fingernail Billboards
These Candy Crush Nails are Insanely Extravagant
40
Unmissable Targeted Ads
Ogilvy & Mather Can't Avoid Intridea's Advertising Billboard
39
Commemorative Cookie Campaigns
Times Square Has been Transformed for Oreo's 100th Birthday
38
Movie Completion Ads
Orville Redenbacher's Night Time Billboard Requires Dark to Make Sense
37
Grilled Food Fonts
The Grillography Project Turns BBQ Food Into a Typeface
36
Interactive Print
Editor Jaime Neely Discusses Her Favorite Immersive Print Campaigns
35
Distorted Beauty Billboards
This Pola Apex Campaign Represents Imbalanced Skin Solutions
34
Interactive Hair-Blowing Subway Ads
This Interactive Ad Recognizes When Trains are Coming & Reacts
33
Watercolor Lingerie Ads
Alberto Seveso Blends Lingerie Models and Paint for Bustier's Ad Campaign
32
Ice Wall Publicity Stunts
Speed Stick Gear Literally Brings Men's Hygiene to New Heights
31
Phone-Sized Shopping Ads
Tesco's Mobile App Ad Presents Its App as the Tiniest Store Ever
30
Anatomical Interactive Billboards
A Campaign by Voyages Travel Agency Features Giant Body Parts
29
Intentionally Broken Billboards
Volkswagen's Broken Billboard Design Shows the Need for Real Parts
28
Responsive GIF Ads
These Netflix Movie Poster Ads Attract Pop Culture & Internet-Savvy People
27
Aerial Dronevertising
Wokker's Ad-Carrying Drones Takes Aerial Advertising to New Heights
26
Chicken Burger Motels
The Burger King Motel Allows Chicken Lovers to Cheat on Beef
25
Refurbished Recycled Ads
Creative Duo Shows the Stunning Transformation of Recycled Advertising
24
Metamorphic Billboard Ads
These IKEA Ads are Recognizable and Make Use Out of Small Spaces
23
Rainbow-Accompanied Ads
Coca-Cola's Man-Made Rainbows Celebrate South Africa's Rainbow Nation
22
Summer Gear Giveaway Ads
Lemon & Paeroa's Summer Sign Ads Gave Away Flip Flops and Towels
21
Live Travel Billboards
The Takeoff by Transavia Makes Its Advertisement Absolutely Unmissable
20
Flight Simulation Billboards
This Travel Billboard from KLM Turns the Public into Pilots
19
Colorfully Hidden Product Ads
IKEA'a Products Are Almost Invisible in the 'Choose Color' Ads
18
Hallucination-Inducing Billboards
This Electronic Broken Billboard Shows Incredible Colors
17
Billboard-Revamped Buildings
OBI is Restoring Old Buildings with Creative Eye-Catching Billboards
16
Award-Winning Tourism Ads
The 'Pure Michigan' Campaign Aims to Lure Visitors to the Motor City
15
Funny Talkative Billboards
Sprite's Bill the Billboard Soda Pop Ad Reminds You to 'Obey You'
14
Vacuum-Suctioned Billboards
Saatchi Netherlands Created a Clever Samsung Vacuum Ad
13
Mini Makeover Billboards
The Obi Renovated Billboards Make Buildings More Beautiful
12
Vertical Blind Billboards
McDonald's Bus Shelter Billboard Keeps People Cool with Shaded Blinds
11
Money-Filled Movie Posters
This Bus Shelter Ad for the Wolf of Wall Street Uses a Real $10,000
10
Magical Floating Billboards
This Billboard Advertising Stunt Cleverly Promotes a Magic Festival
9
Moving Taxi Cab Ads
Live Screens Now Sit Atop Taxis in New York
8
Fasting Countdown Billboards
Aytac's Food Advertising Campaign Respectfully Acknowledges Ramadan
7
Epic Book Trailers
Penguin's Book Trailer Campaign Makes Literature as Epic as Movies
6
Gigantic Flip Flop Advertisements
This Giant Billboard Delivers Its Message with a Real Kick
5
Teaser TV Billboards
A Giant Billboard for 'James M. McGill' Promotes the Breaking Bad Spinoff
4
Grill-Insired Fiery Billboards
The Double Grill and Bar Steakhouse Grilled Its Own Billboard
3
Artistically Repurposed Ads (UPDATE)
Art Everywhere US Takes Its Artful Billboards to Times Square
2
Nighttime Grocery Billboards
Carulla's Grocery Store Advertisements Only Come Out After Hours
1
Critical Consumerism Videos
The 'Consume Ourselves' Video Criticizes Excessive Consumer Culture
Related Ideas
Luxury Bag Pop Ups
Hermès Debuted a Designer Bag Installation Pop Up in Manhattan
Playful Billboard Campaigns
Dreamies Treats Unveil a Show-Stopping 3D Billboard Campaign
Sound-Focused Ice Cream Ads
Magnum Ice Cream Ads Bring the Ultimate Sensory Experience to Life
AI Marketing Storytelling
Coca-Cola AI Campaign Brings Nostalgia and Innovation Together
Ice Cream-Inspired Campaigns
Dairy Queen Canada is Transforming Snowbanks into Giant Blizzards
Sensory Outdoor Posters
Billie Introduced its Scratch-and-Sniff OOH Campaign
Positive Social Media Campaigns
The New Tumblr Campaign Champions Community Over Controversy
AI-Lead Car Ads
Ford Launched an AI Campaign Dubbed 'Be Surreal, Be Ford'
Halloween-Inspired Pretzel Campaigns
Snyder’s of Hanover Debuts the 'Pretzelface' Campaign
Clear In-Game Billboard Advertisements
SCS Software's Truck Simulator Uses Real-Life Advertising
Modern Newsstand Skincare Pop-Ups
Neutrogena x AIRE Health Hosted a Thematic Event
Humorous Menswear Ads
Men’s Wearhouse Goes Full Funny with its 'Love the Way You Look' Campaign
Cheeky Burger Billboards
The Habit Burger & Grill Humorously Calls Out Five Guys
90's Archival Footwear Pop-Ups
Dr. Martens Hosted a 'Buzz Bus' in NYC
GenAI Confectionery Posters
The My Cadbury Era Tool Puts People into Retro Posters with AI
Sniffable Deodorant Billboards
Sure's Out-of-Home Campaigns Invites Passersby to Take a Whiff
Parisian Airport Pop-Ups
Moët Hennessy's Paris Concept Event Featured Travel Exclusives
History-Centric Advertisements
Royal Ontario Museum's Epic Natural History Ad is Inspiring
Groundbreaking AR Posters
Wall's Out-of-Home Ads Make AR Experiences Unmissable with WinDOOH Tech
Digital Debit Card Campaigns
Interac Introduces 'The Lost Wallet Board' Installation in Toronto
Humorous Automotive Campaigns
Hyundai’s 'Where Have You Been?' Ad Merges Nostalgia and Branding
Naturalistic Taco Stand Campaigns
Coca-Cola Launched a Street Photography Campaign in Norway
AI Movie Poster Generators
AI Movie Poster Generator Creates Impactful Promotional Materials
Purposeful Consumer-Focused Campaigns
IKEA's Sleepfluencers Campaign is a Clever Way to Give Back
Color Blindness-Exclusive Billboards
TD Unveils a Campaign to Highlight Its Accessibility Adapter
In-Game Billboard Advertising
Gameloft Enables Partners to Advertise Natively in its Games
Fashion Brand Christmas Ads
Chanel's 'Winter Tale' is a Magical Holiday Ad from the Luxury Icon
Humorous Fun-Forward Ads
Six Flags Rolls Out Its 'Funsultant' Campaign to Prove Fun Is Serious
Athletic Apparel Interactive Billboards
Gymshark Unveils the Shoplift Campaign Ahead of Sale
Fridge-Decorating Social Trends
Bed Bath & Beyond Participated in 'Fridgescaping' Trend
Humorous Payment Campaigns
Paypal's Latest Campaign Features Actor Will Ferrell
QSR Menu Billboard Campaigns
Burger King Shows Real Burger Sizes with Real Size Campaigns
Seasonal Phone Booth Activations
Spotify's Q4 is Calling Urges Brands to Start Holiday Advertising
Futuristic Imaginative Design Concepts
Toyota Introduces the Unique E-Collection of Products
Iconic Character-Inspired Campaigns
Etsy's Christmas Ad Celebrates Personalized Gifting
Box-Office-Themed Travel Pop-Ups
Intrepid x TIFF Host an Experiential Travel Activation
Movement-Inspired Fashion Campaigns
The Bottega Veneta's Going Places Features Going Places
Ice Cream Sandwich Pop-Ups
Chips Ahoy! Pop-Up to Serve Free Ice Cream in NYC
Nature-Reconnecting Outdoor Campaigns
Mammut Encouraged People to Reconnect with Nature
Offbeat Fashion Campaigns
ASOS 'Inspired By' Delivers Non-Traditional Inspiration to Style-Seekers
AI-Assisted Business Ads
Google Workspace's 50 States, 50 Stories Shares Small Businesses Using AI
Vibrantly Comedic Travel Campaigns
The 'Booking.yeah' Campaign Features The Muppets
Cheeky Coffee Ads
Starbucks' New Ads Celebrate Personal Connections Through a Modern Twist
Terrace Brand Endeavors
Louis Vuitton Features its Latest Collection at a Beachfront Pop-Up
Art-Promoting Campaigns
Beige Billboards Spark a Bold Call to Save Charlotte’s Art Scene
Marketer-Targeted Cereal Ads
Surreal's Out-of-Home Campaign Speaks to Marketers, Not Consumers
Virtual AI Snow Globes
Coca-Cola Unveils a Festive AI Campaign at its Piccadilly Lights Residency
Digital Staredown Games
Modern Human Habits Inspired TWIX's Second Screen Staredown
Cheeky Bar-Focused Campaigns
Heineken Advocates for Financial Support for Bars with Starring Bars
Data-Driven QSR Campaigns
Burger King's BK Unwrapped Reveals Customers' 2024 Ordering Preferences
Social Media App Campaigns
Snapchat Promotes Creators in a Bold Campaign Amid TikTok Uncertainty
Customer-Starring Billboards
Bobbie's Campaign Spotlights Moms as "the OG Influencers"
Festive Advent Campaigns
Cadbury's 24 Out-of-Home Ads Represent the Countdown to Christmas
House Party-Themed Campaigns
Hiders Keepers Shows Stella Artois’ Clever Take on Party Etiquette
Unconventional Health Food Ads
RXBar is the Ultimate B.S. Blocker This New Year
Playful Hotel Campaigns
BWH Hotels Launches a Campaign to Reclaim Stolen Treasures
Experiential Marketing Campaigns
MIKE AND IKE, HOT TAMALES, and Marvel Team Up for Campus Tour
Adventurous Roadtrip Retail Campaigns
The Pilot Flying J 'See You Out Here' Campaign is Relatable
Innovative Outdoor Advertising Campaigns
Unilever's Dirt is Good Turns Billboards into Playgrounds
Traveling Fashion Showcases
The Guess Bus in Sydney is an Example of Experimental Marketing
Feel-Good Ad Campaigns
Pella’s 'Make Life Brighter' Campaign Celebrates Home and Comfort
Elevated In-Store Experiences
Bath & Body Works Adapts its Store Designs to Appeal to Gen Z
Neighborhood-Inspired Campaigns
Kotn's F/W 2024 Collection is Released with a Witty Short-Film
Pollution-Removing Murals
This Campaign Sucks by Dentsu Brings Awareness to London's Air Quality
Blockish Music Tour Posters
The LEGO Ideas Eras Tour Poster Celebrates Taylor Swift
Provocative Guerrilla Campaigns
Jewelry Brand MWCurated Uses Fake Infidelity Flyers for Marketing
QSR Summer Pop-Ups
McDonald's Mexico Launched a Summer-Themed Activation in Mexico
Art-Focused Technology Partnerships
The Samsung Art Store Spotlights a Partnership with Art Basel
Visual Museum Campaigns
MoMA’s New Museum Campaign Transforms NYC into an Art Lover’s Paradise
Anthropomorphic Store Campaigns
IKEA's Short Social Films Promote Its Click-and-Collect Service
In-Game Advertising Services
StackAdapt Offers Engaging Game Advertising for its Clients
Serum-Dispensing Billboards
The Inkey List's Hydrating Billboard Shares Free Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Cinematic Dance-Driven Campaigns
DoorDash's 'Your Door to More' Campaign Highlights its Offerings
Creator-Friendly Initiatives
Patreon Lights Up Times Square with Creator-Centric Billboard
Color Infusion Paint Campaigns
vitaminwater's Paint Your Rent Brightens Lives & Living Spaces
Lengthy Halloween-Inspired Events
Michaels Has Launched Its 100 Days to Halloween Campaign
Reimagined Classic Beer Campaigns
Guinness Gives 'A Lovely Day' a Modern Artistic Refresh
Music-Inspired Retail Campaigns
Macy’s is Launching Its Summer’s Greatest Hits Campaign
Co-Branded Custom Ads
Lexus and Universal Pictures Partner for the 'Experience OZmazing' Spot
Celebrity-Starring Super Bowl Ads
Taco Bell Recruits Doja Cat for its New Super Bowl Advertisement
Stylish Soda Pop-Ups
Poppi World Enticed Health-Conscious, Fashionable Visitors During NYFW
Humorous Star-Studded Chip Campaigns
Pringles Unveiled its 'Call of the Mustaches' Campaign
Inspiring Food Color Reports
Oterra Color Trends 2025 Put Four Trends in the Spotlight
Streetside Challenge Billboards
Gymbox Start Line Encourages Passersby to Try a Short Dash
Super Bowl Drive-Thru Commercials
Taco Bell Debuts Its Live Más Drive-Thru Cams Campaign
Nostalgic Video Rental Pop-Ups
KitKat is Bringing Back Blockbuster to Help Fans "Break Better"
Spooky Seasonal Libation Campaigns
The Heineken Meet the Chillers Campaign is Character-Driven
Hollywood Couple Travel Campaigns
Experience Abu Dhabi Debuts a Cinematic Campaign
Email Marketing Tracking Platforms
'Mailboard' Helps Marketers Track Competitors and More
Gen Z Advertising Initiatives
Tubi Targets Younger Viewers with Ad Innovations at IAB NewFronts
Scannable Tattoo Campaigns
Burger King Korea's Whopper Tattoo Promoted an Upgraded Whopper
Colorful Kitchen Pop-Ups
Primal Kitchen Partners with Pintrest for a Special Initiative
Miniature Billboard Ads
Little Canada's Mini Media Initiative Spotlights Brands on Tiny Billboards
Harmony-Emphasizing 3D Advertisements
Wuliangye Debuted a Clever Ad in New York’s Times Square
Local Eatery-Elevated Soda Campaigns
Pepsi is Running Immersive Experiences for the Super Bowl LIX
High-Concept Brand Campaigns
The ‘Legitimate You’ Campaign Proves Every Brand Can Look Pro
Manatee-Spotlighting 3D Billboard Displays
LG Electronics USA Highlights the West Indian Manatee
Peeling Cheese Packaging Billboards
This Babybel Billboard is Inspired by the Product's Packaging
Monarch Butterfly-Inspired Digital Billboards
LG Electronics Expands Its Endangered Species Series
Travel-inspired Brand Campaigns
Michelin Launches the On the Road and Beyond! Campaign
Artistic Libation Campaigns
The Madrí Excepcional 'Paint Your Pint' Competition Challenges Fans
Nostalgic Lip Balm Collections
Camp Burt Introduces its '84 Summer Merch Collection
Stigma-Breaking Motherhood Billboards
Molly Baz and Bobbie Send a Message of Empowerment
Immersive Store Screens
Hays Travel Introduces Immersive Technology to Transform Holiday Planning
Heist-Themed Cheese Ads
This Maxi Babybel Ad Celebrates the Cheese's Return
Real-Time Trending Spot Features
Roadtrippers Introduces the Trending Spots Feature to Its App
Artful Illusory Ads
giffgaff's Large-Scale Illusion Artwork Challenges Inattentional Blindness
Anniversary-Celebrating Storytelling Ads
The Walt Disney Company Mark Marvel's 85th Anniversary
Heartwarming Holiday Car Ads
Toyota Debuts Three Ads During NBCUniversal’s Primetime Specials
Branded Digital Light Shows
The 'Blak Labs' and 'Maybank' Light Show Sends a Festive Message
Creatively Sponsored Art Events
Sharpie is Sponsoring the Upcoming Art Battle Event in Los Angeles
Travel Lifestyle Brand Ads
Away’s 'Travel Changed Me' Film Captures the Power of Exploration
Solution-Oriented Holiday Ads
Orange’s Holiday Ad Brings Families Together Over Smartphones
Large-Scale Digital Signage
TouchSource & Centennial Have Collaborated on a New Marketing Project
Scannable Skincare Murals
The Ordinary's Interactive Augmented Reality Mural Promotes Bodycare
Global Storytelling Initatives
Vans Announces its Narrative-Centric Always Pushing Campaign
Hard-To-Read Health Campaigns
A Specsavers Campaign Encourages Movie-Goers to Check their Sight
Innovative Digital Signage
Creative Realities Enhances Fan Engagement & Outcomes with New Signage
Summer Patio Pop-Ups
The Sol Patio+ Provides a Comfortable Place to Wait for a Table
AI Creator-Centric Campaigns
The Spirit of London Campaign by Beefeater Embraces the City's Energy
Bizarre Soda Campaigns
Dr Pepper's Try More Weird Disrupts Life's Boredoms with Weirdness
Frozen Pizza-Centered Campaigns
Dr. Oetker Debuts the Frozen Pizza Publicist Campaign
Household Expense Ads
BBDO Bangkok Launches 'Don’t Lose What AI Can Save' for Samsung
European-Style Lager Campaigns
David Beckham Stars in a Teased Stella Artois' Super Bowl
Real-Time Nightlife Finders
HotSpot Discovers Trending Nightlife Spots With Real-Time Insights
Ball Game-Promoting Urban Initiatives
London Sport and Saatchi & Saatchi Run 'More Ball Games'
Creative Sun Safety Installations
Giant Beach Installation is a Reminder to Practice Sun Safety
Modern Art Design Auctions
BILLINGS is Set to Hold Its Summer Modern Art + Design Auction
Ice Cream-Inspired Superbowl Campaigns
Häagen-Dazs Aims to Connect with Younger Consumers
Music-Centric Branding Initiatives
BACARDÍ Rum Partnered with the MTV Video Music Awards
Emotionally Engaging Holiday Advertisements
Teleflora Captured Attention with The Power Of Wishes
Large-Scale Drone Lightshows
Abu Dhabi will Host a Culturally Driven Show to Boost Tourism
Mango-Scented Newspaper Ads
Swiggy Instamart Launched a Scented Campaign in the Times of India
Advertising Demand-Side Platforms
Yahoo Launched Yahoo Creative to Help Advertisers
Efficiency-Driven Digital Ad Solutions
ShopLiftr is Revolutionizing Digital Advertising
Ad Inspiration Archives
Nobody Reads Ads Showcases Print and Outdoor Ads With Notable Success
Boundless Art Exhibitions
The Frameless Experience Showcases Iconic Art Beyond Reality
Classic Ad Campaign Revivals
Seagram's 7 Crown is Reviving Old Ads for Its New Campaign
Humorous Losers-Focused Campaigns
Miller Lite Introduces the League Losers Billboards
Ardent Entertainment Campaigns
Steve Harvey Narrates the New Abu Dhabi Calendar Campaign