The top 2016 billboard trends have seen a variety of different patterns, most notably ones that infuse technology into what was once a traditional advertising platform, as well as billboards that promote causes related to social justice.
One of the more prominent trends that could be observed this past year was brands taking advantage of bus shelters to engage and interact with consumers. One such example is the 'Made to Move' campaign by the brand 'Lucozade' – which sells sports drinks. The campaign featured a bus shelter with a 'Wait Training' program that encouraged commuters to exercise along with the video that is featured – with participants receiving a sports drink at the end. The unique campaign worked to engage consumers, improved brand perception and worked towards a good cause – promoting health and fitness. Trend Hunter's 2017 Trend Report is packed with ideas and innovations that are related to engaging modern day consumers in similar ways.
As this past year has been one of great change and upheaval, it is unsurprising that brands, charities and individuals would take the time to promote good causes on widely seen marketing platforms such as billboards. An example of this is the anti-homophobia billboard by the non-profit 'Planting Peace,' – which reveals an image of the politicians Donald Trump and Ted Cruz kissing along with the quote "Love Trumps Hate" – now a war cry of sorts for anti-Trump protesters and pro-Hillary and Bernie supporters.
Top 80 Billboard Trends of 2016
From Fitness-Boosting Bus Shelters to Anti-Homophobia Billboards:
Mishal Omar — Jan 30, 2017 — Marketing
80
Motion-Sensing Interactive Ads
Walkers Brand Created a Unqiuely Interactive Street Advertisement
79
Marketing Street Performances
This Stunt Was Used to Engage Consumers One-on-One and Digitally
78
Comedic Mother's Day Ads
The Agency 'Mother New York' Put a Creative Spin on Mother's Day
77
Unmissable Bus Advertisements
This Bus Advertisement from Out of Home Media Refuses to Go Unseen
76
Urban Garden Billboards
This Billboard by Wildstone in London Doubles as a Community Garden
75
Humorous Banking Billboards
These Comical Bank Ads Encourage Customers to Hold Back on App Use
74
Interactive Vertical Billboards
Tom Wiscombe's Novel Billboard Design Will Go Up in Los Angeles
73
Villainous Film Posters
These Suicide Squad Posters Pay Tribute to Each of the Characters
72
Reverse Psychology Ads
The Text and Drive Campaign for a Funeral Home Focuses on Real Consequences
71
Ultramodern Karaoke Bar Branding
This Karaoke Bar Branding Features Vibrant Geometrical Imagery
70
Slide Puzzle Billboards
This Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Ad is Styled Like a Word Puzzle
69
Motion-Tracking Billboards
This Ad for the Snowden Movie Puts the Public Under Surveillance
68
Political Estate Billboards
Jeff Cook Real Estate Offers to Help Americans Move to Canada
67
Candy Giveaway Billboards
This Interactive Candy Advertisement Gives Out Gummy Sweets
66
Glass Tile Billboards
These Stunning Billboards Direct You Around Clerkenwell Design Week 2016
65
Celebratory Crayon Bus Tours
Crayola's '100 Years of Colour' Bus Tour Entertained UK Kids
64
Colorful Contraception Ads
This STD Campaign Uses Phrases Spelled Out in Unwrapped Condoms
63
Unwrapped Chocolate Billboards
This Museum Ad for a Chocolate Exhibition is Gradually Revealed
62
AR Blood Donation Billboards
NHS Blood and Transplant's Donation Ad Interactively Builds Awareness
61
Phone-Charging Billboards
This Dragon Quest Billboard Offers Mobile Phone Chargers for Commuters
60
Embroidered Fantasy Tapestries
This Game of Thrones Ad Uses Textiles to Recreate an Iconic Scene
59
Posture-Correcting Billboards
This Digital Billboard From Microsoft Corrects Posture Instantly
58
Coloring Book Billboards
This Roving Kabuto Noodles Billboard Inspires Calm in the City of London
57
Skin-Protecting Lockers
Garnier Ambre Solaire Encourages People to Protect Belongings and Skin
56
VR Bus Shelter Spas
This Public Bus Stop Uses Virtual Reality to Come to Life as a Swimming Pool
55
Rock Wall Billboards
Toyota's Times Square Ad Doubles as a Towering Climbing Wall
54
Traffic-Sensing Billboards
INRIX Billboards are Able to Change Ads Based on Traffic Speed
53
Basketball-Inspired ATMs
This 10-Foot-Tall BMO Bank Machine Promotes the Annual NBA All-Star Game
52
Anti-Consumerism Ads
These Ads Urge Creative Professionals to Fight for Social Justice
51
Social Good Selfie Walls
Cadillac Fairview is Launching 'Pledge Walls' for Back-to-School Season
50
Mosquito-Killing Billboards
This Outdoor Billboard is Equipped with Panels to Kill Zika Mosquitoes
49
Social City Billboards
Snapchat is Turned Its Geofilters into Social Media Advertisements
48
Dueling Vigilante Billboards
This Interactive Billboard Ad for Daredevil is Powered by Hashtags
47
Car-Targeting Billboards
These Targeted Ads are Able To Recognize and Advertise to Individual Cars
46
3D-Printed Origami Posters
This Dynamic Bus Ad Features 3D-Printed Origami Elements
45
Speed-Testing Sneaker Billboards
Reebok's Running Challenge Gives Free Sneakers to Fast Runners
44
Temperature-Sensitive Billboards
This Coca-Cola Billboard Adapts in Response to Local Weather
43
Giant Smartphone Billboards
The Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge Billboard Takes Over an Entire Building
42
Building Block Billboards
This Playful Subway Advertising Stunt Turns Commuters into Builders
41
Illusory University Posters
These Illusion Posters Cleverly Advertise Distance Education
40
Multicolor Paper Display Billboards
The E Ink Advanced Color ePaper is Efficient and Durable
39
Social Media Billboards
The First-Ever Instagram Advertising Campaign is Launching in France
38
Viral Game Charity Campaigns
This Pokemon Go-Themed Campaign Helps Find Missing People Too
37
Real-Time Travel Billboards
This Airline Ad from JetBlue Reveals Real-Time Travel Data
36
Political Anti-Homophobia Ads
Planting Peace's Billboard Shows Donald Trump and Ted Cruz Kissing
35
Phonecall Travel Billboards
Airbnb's City Billboards Encourage People to Call and Text
34
Artistic Album Promotions
Singer James Blake Enlists Illustrator Quentin Blake to Promote His Work
33
Lengthy Hashtag Billboards
These Heineken Ads Show the Beer's Complete Ingredient List
32
Data-Driven Music Campaigns
These Playful Spotify Ads Reveal What Its Users are Listening to
31
Geo-Targeted Truck Billboards
The RoadAd Boards Change Content Depending On Trucks' Location
30
Bus Shelter Gyms
Reebok Transformed Bus Stop Ads into Temporary Outdoor Gyms
29
Olympian Selfie Billboards
United Airlines' Olympic Ads Photograph Staff and American Athletes
28
Clean Slate Charity Campaigns
This Billboard Asked New Yorkers What Their Biggest Regret Was
27
Workout Bus Shelters
Lucozade Turned a Bus Stop Shelter into an Active 'Wait Training' Station
26
Competitive Burger Billboards
This Massive Vertical Billboard Promotes McDonalds Over Burger King
25
City-Friendly Digital Advertising
The 'Google Urbanism' Project Would Share Ad Revenue with Cities
24
Chalkboard Art Advertisements
This Artful Gaming Ad is a Chalkboard Drawing in Shinjuku Station
23
Pedestrian Safety Ads
These TTC Ads Encourage Pedestrians to Stay Focused and Stay Safe
22
Empowering Athlete Campaigns
Dove Combats Media Sexism by Exposing How Female Athletes are Covered
21
Whipped Cream Weather Billboards
This Weather Ad Shows Snowfall Using Whipped Cream-Topped Drinks
20
Data-Powered Tennis Posters
These IBM Ads Share Animated Sports Facts Based on Real-Time Events
19
Edible Fish Billboards
This Outdoor Poster Feeds Seagulls with Edible Glue, Ink and Paper
18
Morphing Candy Billboards
This Ad for Snickers Candy Bars Surprises with Facial Recognition Tech
17
Interactive Karaoke Billboards
Santander's Fun City Billboards Appeal to Millennials
16
Playable Concert Posters
Telekom Created a Fun Way to Promote the Budapest Festival Orchestra
15
Extreme Lip Balm Tests
Vaseline Uk Recently Launched an Extreme Weather Experiment
14
Political Health Test Advertisements
The 'Feel the Burn?' Billboards Promote FreeSTDCheck.org
13
Drone-Mounted Billboards
Skye Aero Wants To Use Drone Billboards to Revolutionize Advertising
12
Real-Time Furniture Billboards
This Furniture Advertisement from IKEA is Built with a Storage Unit
11
Disappearing Alphabet Campaigns
This Blood Donation Initiative Removes A, B and O from Signage
10
Disappearing Magic Billboards
This Quebec City Magic Festival Ad Does a Stunt Before the Public
9
Comforting Fast Food Commercials
This KFC Commercial Emphasizes the Importance of Comfort Food
8
Melting Neon Billboards
This Neon Billboard Made from Ice Encourages People to Thaw Out in Mexico
7
Miniature Car Mosaics
This Car Display from Citroën is Made of 3,000 Toy Models
6
Interactive Movie Billboards
Johnny Depp Promotes the 'Through the Looking Glass' Movie Himself
5
Sunscreen Claw Games
This Stunt for 'Pretty Shady' Turns Bus Stop Shelters into Interactive Games
4
Precisely Painted Murals
Purdy Creates a Brick Wall Mural by Adding Color Only to the Mortar
3
Rest Stop Billboards
Sodimac's Ad Roadside Promotes a Garage for Tired Drivers to Sleep for Free
2
Virus Protection Billboards
These Miami Billboards Were Created in Response to the Rise in Zika
1
Handmade Sequin Billboards
This Brazilian Billboard Celebrates the Theatrical Bumba-Meu-Boi
Related Ideas
Luxury Bag Pop Ups
Hermès Debuted a Designer Bag Installation Pop Up in Manhattan
Celebrity-Fronted High-Fashion Campaigns
Versace's 2024 Icons Campaign Embodies the Brand's Ethos
Aggressive Athlete Ads
Nike Launches the Winning Isn’t for Everyone Campaign
Skincare Pop-Up Trucks
Neutrogena Canada will Host a Boost Bus in Toronto
Anti-Consumption Natural Ads
The 'Girls Just Wanna Grow Plants' Ad Aims to Reducing Consumption
Autism-Supporting Athletics Brands
Nike Partnered with the NBA for an Autism Awareness Campaign
Clear In-Game Billboard Advertisements
SCS Software's Truck Simulator Uses Real-Life Advertising
Mental Health Awareness Totes
ALDO and Kids Help Phone Join Forces on the HEARTTOTE
Sun Safety Beach Takeovers
Sun Bum's Miami Beach Takeover Supported Safe Fun in the Sun
College-Targeted Food Pop-Ups
Uber Hosts 'The One Shop' Across University Campuses
Beer-Pouring Party Billboards
JUBEL Made a Billboard That Pours Pints Invites People in to Party
Parisian Airport Pop-Ups
Moët Hennessy's Paris Concept Event Featured Travel Exclusives
Groundbreaking AR Posters
Wall's Out-of-Home Ads Make AR Experiences Unmissable with WinDOOH Tech
Emotional Poeticized Motorsport Campaigns
Honda Debuts the 'Unstoppable Dreams' Campaign
Hug-Inspired Olympics Campaigns
Coca-Cola's Summer Olympics Campaign was Inspired by True Events
Uplifting Social Media Campaigns
Optimism Your Feed Helps Social Media Users Retrain the Algorithm
Ketchup Dispenser Billboards
'Smack for Heinz' Helps Fans Complete Meals with a Favorite Condiment
Athlete-Backed Shoe Campaigns
Nike Released Awaken Your Madness with International Soccer Players
Naturalistic Taco Stand Campaigns
Coca-Cola Launched a Street Photography Campaign in Norway
Empowering Body-Confidence Sports Ads
Dove's 2024 Super Bowl Ad Will Inspire Young Girls
Mental-Health Awareness QSR Packaging
McDonald's Alters Its Happy Meal Boxes for Mental Health
Illustrative 420 Campaigns
Vizie Unveils His Latest Work for Grassroots' 420 Campaign
In-Game Billboard Advertising
Gameloft Enables Partners to Advertise Natively in its Games
Color Blindness-Exclusive Billboards
TD Unveils a Campaign to Highlight Its Accessibility Adapter
Brand Heritage-Appreciation Campaigns
Timberlands Racy 'ICONIC' Campaign Honours Its Legacy
Sporty Fashion Spring Campaigns
adidas Originals Introduces the 1000 Back Campaign
Hug-Activated Marketing Machines
UNIQLO France and The Pull Launch the Hug to Unlock Ad
Athletic Apparel Interactive Billboards
Gymshark Unveils the Shoplift Campaign Ahead of Sale
Star-Studded Tech Campaigns
Jewellery Pros and Music Talent Promote the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
Fridge-Decorating Social Trends
Bed Bath & Beyond Participated in 'Fridgescaping' Trend
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
AI-Powered Travel Campaigns
Samsonite's Bring It 2024 Campaign Exudes Timeless Style & Durability
Heated QSR Anniversary Campaigns
Burger King Brazil Celebrates Milestone with a New Campaign
Global Handbag Campaigns
Coach's New 'Unlock Your Courage' Campaign Promotes Personal Expression
Book-Inspired Public Benches
Madrid City Council Launched the Sit Down to Read 2024 Campaign
Retail Overconsumption Campaigns
Coachtopia's 'The Wasted Parts' Explores Overconsumption Culture
Visual Museum Campaigns
MoMA’s New Museum Campaign Transforms NYC into an Art Lover’s Paradise
Gen Alpha Marketing Campaigns
Claire's is Targeting TikTok Growth for its Latest Ads Spending
Nature-Reconnecting Outdoor Campaigns
Mammut Encouraged People to Reconnect with Nature
Offbeat Fashion Campaigns
ASOS 'Inspired By' Delivers Non-Traditional Inspiration to Style-Seekers
Grayscale Burger Restaurants
Burger King France Made a Visually Striking Anti-Bullying Initiative
Young Travellers-Targeting Campaigns
Progressive Insurance Has Introduced a New Campaign
Craveable Soda Packaging
Sprite is Reviving Its Obey Your Thirst Campaign for a New Generation
Terrace Brand Endeavors
Louis Vuitton Features its Latest Collection at a Beachfront Pop-Up
Architecture-Inspired QSR Ads
This New McDonald’s Campaign Encourages Eating at Home
Marketer-Targeted Cereal Ads
Surreal's Out-of-Home Campaign Speaks to Marketers, Not Consumers
Hydrating Outdoor Billboards
Gatorade's BPM Pay Panels Replenish Urban Athletees on the Go
AI-Powered Cultural Trend Tools
Huge's Culture Decoder Uses AI to Understand Cultural Trends
Soda Logo Rebranding Campaigns
Pepsi's New Logo Goes Across the Globe with a Bright Light Show
Sustainability-Driven Fashion Campaigns
pitusa's Sustainability Campaign Focuses on Reducing Waste
Country-Conjoining Beer Can Designs
Heineken Spotlights One Shared Star Motif on its Cans
Country Music Songwriting Contests
Busch Light Fans have the Chance to Inspire a BRELAND Song
Gen Z-Influenced Marketing Campaigns
Kraft Heinz is Studying Gen Z's Preferences with New Launches
Retail-Based Pop-Star Takeovers
H&M and Charli xcx Host a Surprise Event at Times Square
Music Ticketing Campaigns
Coors Light Introduces 'Fix Tixflation' for Music Entertainment
Two-Person Seesaw Benches
Movember's A Problem Halved Bench Inspires Mental Health Conversations
Inclusive Fragrance Campaigns
The 'Where Will They Take You' Campaign Highlights Influencers
Scented Fast Food Billboards
McDonald's Set Up a French Fry-Scented Billboard
Adventurous Roadtrip Retail Campaigns
The Pilot Flying J 'See You Out Here' Campaign is Relatable
Interactive Recruitment Billboards
easyJet's Campaign Encourages Women to Consider a Pilot Career
Cooling Bus Shelter Designs
EMT Madrid Spearheads the Quest for Comfortable Public Transportation
AI-Powered QSR Campaigns
allplants Leverages AI To Transforms Fast-Food Ads
Pollution-Removing Murals
This Campaign Sucks by Dentsu Brings Awareness to London's Air Quality
Boycott-Supporting Phone Apps
Buycott Helps Consumers Decide Whether to Buy or Avoid a Brand
Tech Rebellion Campaigns
Lush is Continuing Its Big Tech Rebellion for Black Friday
Epic Rapper-Backed Soda Campaigns
PEPSI Launched its 'Make Your Gameday Epic' Campaign
Boldly Creative Tequila Campaigns
DELEÓN Tequila Launched its ‘Bold Spirits, Rise’ Campaign
QSR Summer Pop-Ups
McDonald's Mexico Launched a Summer-Themed Activation in Mexico
Creator-Friendly Initiatives
Patreon Lights Up Times Square with Creator-Centric Billboard
Inclusive Marathon Campaigns
adidas Worked with Marathons to Support Neurodivergent Athletes
Immersive Hybrid Billboards
Meta's Halloween Thrillboards Tease Immersive Meta Quest 3 Experiences
Kindness-Promoting Beverage Campaigns
Culture Pop Soda Partners with Point Guard Derrick White
Footballer-Backed Global Campaigns
Pepsi Unveils the 'Where There's a Ball There's a Way' Campaign
Co-Branded Custom Ads
Lexus and Universal Pictures Partner for the 'Experience OZmazing' Spot
Stylish Soda Pop-Ups
Poppi World Enticed Health-Conscious, Fashionable Visitors During NYFW
Playful Creativity-Focused Campaigns
Sharpie® Launches the World is Your Canvas Tour
Streetside Challenge Billboards
Gymbox Start Line Encourages Passersby to Try a Short Dash
Pet-Equality Campaigns
Pet Ownership Rights Take Center Stage in Innovative Campaign
Confident Fashion Rebranding Campaigns
Boohoo Launches the People Will Talk... Campaign
Wasteful Shopping Billboards
Not On The High Street's Billboards Highlight a "Don't Gift Guide"
Hollywood Couple Travel Campaigns
Experience Abu Dhabi Debuts a Cinematic Campaign
Sustainable Music Festival Campaigns
Decathlon's No Tent Left Behind is Environmentally Conscious
Automotive Brand Vinyls
The Iconic Playlist Celebrates Mercedes-Benz's Place in Pop Culture
Peeling Cheese Packaging Billboards
This Babybel Billboard is Inspired by the Product's Packaging
Travel-inspired Brand Campaigns
Michelin Launches the On the Road and Beyond! Campaign
Social Soda Mixer Campaigns
Level Up With 7UP Inspires Gen Z and Millennial Consumers
Artistic Multi-Beverage Ads
The Coca-Cola Family is Spotlighted in this Unique Ad
Late-Night QSR Vehicles
The Student Tour Campaign Shortens the Trip from the Club to Taco Bell
Bold Dating Campaigns
Tinder's It Starts with a Swipe is Released to Coincide with 'Dating Sunday'
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
Stigma-Breaking Motherhood Billboards
Molly Baz and Bobbie Send a Message of Empowerment
Street Artist Digitalized Exhibitions
LG OLED and Shepard Fairey Showcase Digital Street Art
Sportswear Training Campaigns
FKA Twigs Redefines Movement with On's Fall/Winter 24 Capsule
Recycled Ad Campaigns
Mars is Reusing Fan-Favorite Ads to Bring Attention to Climate Change
Chinese Youth Search Reports
Xiaohongshu Has Released Report on Search Habits Among Youth in China
Reality-Bending Car Ads
CarGurus Ad Features Melting Lego and Gourmet Chef Toddlers
Cheeky Financial Stress-Alleviating Campaigns
HOPWTR Has Debuted a Creative Promotional Campaign
Social Justice Desert Campaigns
Ben & Jerry's 'Make Some Motherchunkin' Change' Campaign Debuted
Global Storytelling Initatives
Vans Announces its Narrative-Centric Always Pushing Campaign
Community Behavioral Health Campaigns
Comprehensive Healthcare Debuts a New Recruitment Campaign
Inclusive Voting Campaigns
The Body Shop Worked with Apathy is Boring to Improve Voter Turnout
Hard-To-Read Health Campaigns
A Specsavers Campaign Encourages Movie-Goers to Check their Sight
Friendship-Focused Election Campaigns
Flash Pack Has Introduced The Friendship Bus
Marketing Social Advocacy Tools
Nut Tree Helps Smaller Brands Boost Their Presence
Hyper-Local Gym Ads
GymBox's Made for London Life Ads Juxtapose City Living and Gym-Going
Influencer-Starring Car Commercials
Toyota's New Short Film Seeks to Resonate with Gen Z Customers
Star-Led Luxury Fashion Campaigns
PRADA's Re-Nylon Collection Welcomes Renowned Actors
Athlete-Centric Bingo Campaigns
The 'Share Your Bingo Moment' Campaign Spotlights Olympic Legends
Bizarre Soda Campaigns
Dr Pepper's Try More Weird Disrupts Life's Boredoms with Weirdness
Banned Books Campaigns
Penguin Random House is Hitting the Road with Three Other Organizations
Prescriptive Mental Health Posters
Parkrun Encourages Movement on World Mental Health Day
Artwork-Adorned Reusable Bags
This Giant Food Reusable Bag Campaign Supports Nonprofits
Skateboarding-Inspired Ads
Vans Launched the ‘Always Pushing’ Ad Highlighting Skating Culture
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
Interactive AR Galleries
Chips Ahoy's Happy By Design Campaign Spotlights Multicultural Artists
Athlete-Backed Mental Health Campaigns
The Love, Your Mind Campaign Aims to Support Mental Health
International Awareness-Bringing Events
Illumina Recently Ran Its Steps Against Cancer Campaign
Creative Sun Safety Installations
Giant Beach Installation is a Reminder to Practice Sun Safety
Redirected Movement Campaigns
Asics' 15MinuteWeightLoss Challenges Rapid Weight Loss Content
Large-Screen Sports Campaigns
Hisense Debuted Its Big Game, Big Screen Initiative
Halloween-Inspired Retail Capsules
Target Debuts a New Private-Label Halloween Capsule for October
Billboard-Transformed Tent Shelters
Wunderman Thompson Morocco Creates the Life-Saving Outdoors
Pop Culture Presidency Campaigns
Kamala Harris Adopts Charli XCX's 'Brat' Trend for Her Campaign
Streetstyle Flavor Campaigns
Old El Paso's Turn It Up Entices Gen Z to Try Its Street Vibes Range
Debunking AI Apps
BSBot Helps Publicis Clients Tell the Truth About AI from Fiction at Cannes
Solution-Oriented Holiday Ads
Orange’s Holiday Ad Brings Families Together Over Smartphones
Classic Ad Campaign Revivals
Seagram's 7 Crown is Reviving Old Ads for Its New Campaign
Empowering Consumer-Centric Campaigns
Which? Launches a Festive Campaign to Empower Shoppers
Inclusivity-Centric Back-To-School Campaigns
Sistema Launched a Back-To-School Survey
Cocktail-Inspired Togetherness Activations
Smirnoff's Global Connectivity Initiative Launched
Social Good Brand Practices
Dignity Coconuts Positions Itself to Combat Human Trafficking
Love-Centric Public Service Announcements
Ad Council & R/GA Debut the Love Has No Labels Campaign
Grocery Store Ad Spots
Morrisons, the UK Supermarket Chain, Celebrates Its Low Pricing in This Ad
Fundraising Pride Art Installations
TD Installs Pride Gate to Fundraise
Blood Center Campaigns
Markham Yard Releases the Blood Center Campaign to Inspire Donations
Ardent Entertainment Campaigns
Steve Harvey Narrates the New Abu Dhabi Calendar Campaign
Social Media Visibility Boosting
Instagram hashtags is a Free Service to Enhance Your Instagram