While loud billboards, posters, shop windows and flyers are screaming for your attention, there are some advertisers that are taking a subtler approach to marketing with hidden ads.
Although some of these advertisements are placed in fairly noticeable locations, as typical ads would be, these kind of hidden ads are extremely subtle, conceal themselves, change locations or fade over time. A few of these elusive ads also play on location-specific factors like weather, or require some kind of interaction before they fully reveal themselves.
With this kind of approach to advertising, the aim seems to be about capturing the attention of a very specific audience that is most likely to be on the look out already, versus the eyes of everyone.
28 Cleverly Hidden Ads
From Water-Based Graffiti Ads to Cleverly Concealed Campaigns:
Laura McQuarrie — May 16, 2014 — Marketing

28
Hidden Message Travel Ads
Expedia Vacations Hides Greetings in Luggage Tags for Newest Print Ads

27
Ingenious Interactive Ads
These Interactive Ads for French Railways Encourage People to Travel

26
Water-Based Graffiti Ads
These Commercial Graffiti Footprints Leave Their Mark but Not a Mess
25
Interactive Fairy Tale Windows
Galeries Lafayette's Holiday Window Display Retells a Classic Story
24
Invisible Kid Ads
The SOS Children's Villages Campaign Brings Light to a Sad Situation
23
Hidden Animal Ads
The Johannesburg Zoo Campaign is Cleverly Camouflaged
22
Weather-Activated Advertisements
These Ads for Stella Artois Cidre Only Appear in Warmer Weather
21
Cleverly Concealed Campaigns
The 'ACCEM' Political Ads are Both Powerful and Informative
20
Invisible Children Ads
The Ponteio Lar Shopping Campaign Asks for Warm Clothes Donations
19
Road-Covered Vehicle Ads
The Volkswagen Side Assist Campaign Shows What is Hidden
18
Hidden Front-Row Ads
The UFL 'Closer to the Action' Campaign Will Snag You the Best Seat
17
Heat-Triggered Paint Illustrations
This Racing Red Bull Helmet Features a New Heat-Triggered Paint
16
Bird Seed Billboards
Nouvelle Soft's Toilet Paper Advertisement Has Nature Say Thanks
15
Sneaky Tweet-Revealed Ads
These Ads for the Isabel Marant H&M Collection Cleverly Use Twitter
14
Scratch-Off Advertisements
These Ads Promote an Exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
13
Concealed Cruising Cars
The Invisible Mercedes Plays Tricks with One's Eyes
12
Fading Youth Ads
The Prince's Trust Campaign Helps Young Adults Get Jobs and Training
11
Couples Only Vending Machines
Coke's Invisible Vending Machine Doesn't Reveal Itself for Singles
10
Illusory Beach Beverage Ads
This Minimal Coke Ad Hides the Coca-Cola Swoosh Between Two Ladies
9
People-Blending Beverage Ads
Sprite 'Camo' Campaign Encourages You to Express Yourself
8
Multi-Faceted Violence Ads
This ANAR Campaign Shows a Different Message to Kids and Adults
7
Camouflaged Skateboard Ramps
These Nomad Skateboards Ramps Are Nearly Invisible in the City
6
Stamped Child-Finding Posters
A Poster Made from 1,000 Stamps Helps to Find Missing Kids in Canada
5
Colorfully Hidden Product Ads
IKEA'a Products Are Almost Invisible in the 'Choose Color' Ads
4
Disappearing Act Car Campaigns
A Vanishing Auto in the Volkswagen Golf GTI 'Time Machine' Ad
3
Augmented Reality Bus Ads
The Pepsi MAX Ad Creates Shocking Scenes for People Waiting for Buses
2
Concealed Trainer Fitness Challenges
ASICS' 'Next Epic Challenge' Presents a Hidden Challenge
1
Sneaky Free Speech Campaigns
For World Press Freedom Day, HUMO Snuck Uncensored Words into China
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Cleverly-Disguised Fountain Cups
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AI-Generated Ketchup Ads
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Aggressive Athlete Ads
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Sound-Focused Ice Cream Ads
Magnum Ice Cream Ads Bring the Ultimate Sensory Experience to Life
Ice Cream-Inspired Campaigns
Dairy Queen Canada is Transforming Snowbanks into Giant Blizzards
Playful Billboard Campaigns
Dreamies Treats Unveil a Show-Stopping 3D Billboard Campaign
Invisible Furniture Capsules
IKEA's Invsbål Campaign and Capsule are a Playful April Fool's Joke
AI-Lead Car Ads
Ford Launched an AI Campaign Dubbed 'Be Surreal, Be Ford'
Spontaneous Summer Picnics
Absolut Vodka & Sprite's HANGOUT-OF-HOME Inspires Unplanned Gatherings
Clear In-Game Billboard Advertisements
SCS Software's Truck Simulator Uses Real-Life Advertising
Irish Stout Campaigns
Guinness Unveiled its St. Patrick’s Day Campaign
Modern Newsstand Skincare Pop-Ups
Neutrogena x AIRE Health Hosted a Thematic Event
Origin Story Ads
Pacifico Unveils Its 'Find Your Own Way' Ad Campaign
Sniffable Deodorant Billboards
Sure's Out-of-Home Campaigns Invites Passersby to Take a Whiff
Premium Clean-Cut Drink Branding
The Sparkling ICE Branding Refresh Enhances Visibility
Humorous Drink Cart Ads
Tito’s Spokescart Returns with New Tricks and the Same Laid-Back Charm
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
Digital Debit Card Campaigns
Interac Introduces 'The Lost Wallet Board' Installation in Toronto
Weatherized Lifestyle Sneakers
adidas Introduces its GORE-TEX Gazelle for the Season Ahead
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
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
Illustrative 420 Campaigns
Vizie Unveils His Latest Work for Grassroots' 420 Campaign
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
Break-Encouraging Soda Branding
The Diet Coke Break Campaign Includes Customized Cans
Airline Highlight Advertisements
Spirit Airlines 'More Fly' Campaign is A Fresh Take on Travel
Apologetic Beer Initiatives
Coors Light Debuts a Creative Marketing Initiative — Obstructed Brews
Sporty Fashion Spring Campaigns
adidas Originals Introduces the 1000 Back Campaign
Athletic Apparel Interactive Billboards
Gymshark Unveils the Shoplift Campaign Ahead of Sale
Reactive Fan-Based Football Campaigns
Coors Light Launched a New 'Coors Light Coors Light' Spot
Personalized In-Flight Ads
United Airlines Kinective Media Offers Curated Travel
Unusual Fast Food Ads
KFC’s ‘Believe’ Campaign Ad Pushes Chicken Obsession to New Heights
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
Art-Promoting Campaigns
Beige Billboards Spark a Bold Call to Save Charlotte’s Art Scene
Collossal Crocodile Campaigns
The Lacoste 'Play Big' Campaign Features Artists and Athletes
Iconic Character-Inspired Campaigns
Etsy's Christmas Ad Celebrates Personalized Gifting
AI-Generated Holiday Soda Ads
The Coca-Cola Holidays Are Coming Ad Has Been Updated with AI
Convention-Challenging AC Campaigns
Samsung's WindFree Ad Stars a Savvy Grandma-Fluencer
Sensitivity Marketing Campaigns
Cetaphil Teams Up with Lil Wayne for Super Bowl Spot
AI-Assisted Business Ads
Google Workspace's 50 States, 50 Stories Shares Small Businesses Using AI
Cheeky Coffee Ads
Starbucks' New Ads Celebrate Personal Connections Through a Modern Twist
Water-Activated Book Designs
Water for People Raises Awareness with the Dehydrating Book
Craveable Soda Packaging
Sprite is Reviving Its Obey Your Thirst Campaign for a New Generation
Football Fan-Addressing Soda Commercials
Pepsi's Launches the Football Always Wins Campaign
Cinematic Video Game Spots
Droga5’s ‘Wake Up’ Campaign for Xbox Shows an Escape from the Everyday
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
Athlete-Lifestyle-Embracing Beer Campaigns
Michelob ULTRA Drops a Star-Studded Super Bowl LIX Spot
Drug-Themed April Fool's Gags
Innocean Berlin's Glory Over Pain Corporation Campaign is Satirical
Feel-Good Ad Campaigns
Pella’s 'Make Life Brighter' Campaign Celebrates Home and Comfort
Urban Sneaker-Inspired Exhibits
Museum of Graffiti Introduces the Sneaker Stories Pop-Up Exhibit
Festive Advent Campaigns
Cadbury's 24 Out-of-Home Ads Represent the Countdown to Christmas
Therapeutic Nature-Inspired Campaigns
Craghoppers Introduces Its Autumn/winter 2024 Campaign
Mystery-Style Holiday Ads
Waitrose Adds Mystery to the Festive Season with ‘Sweet Suspicion’ Ad
Scented Fast Food Billboards
McDonald's Set Up a French Fry-Scented Billboard
Graffiti-Painted Beer Packaging
1664 x André Saraiva Debut a New Vibrant Collaboration
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
Uneventful Big Game Ads
The Angel Soft Super Bowl Ad is Made to Be Missed for a Bathroom Break
Film-Inspired Whiskey Campaigns
Redbreast Irish Whiskey & Andrew Scott Debut Tedbreast Unhidden
Provocative Guerrilla Campaigns
Jewelry Brand MWCurated Uses Fake Infidelity Flyers for Marketing
Hyper-Targeted Shoppable Posters
Glossier and Shop Launched Posters with Geo-Gated Location Tech
Innovative Outdoor Advertising Campaigns
Unilever's Dirt is Good Turns Billboards into Playgrounds
High-Concept Brand Campaigns
The ‘Legitimate You’ Campaign Proves Every Brand Can Look Pro
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
Artful Bandage Collections
The Met x BAND-AID Collaboration Shares Exclusive First-Aid Products
Virtual Pub Museums
Heineken Pub Museums Spotlight Important Cultural Locations
Pop-Up Sensory Showers
Dove's South Bank Activation Spotlights MicroMoisture Technology
Serum-Dispensing Billboards
The Inkey List's Hydrating Billboard Shares Free Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Creator-Friendly Initiatives
Patreon Lights Up Times Square with Creator-Centric Billboard
Interactive Outdoor Games
City Chase Combines Outdoor Exploration with Fun, Strategic Gameplay
Water Digital Wallet Loyalty Cards
Liquid Death Has Introduced the Liquid Death Country Club
Color Infusion Paint Campaigns
vitaminwater's Paint Your Rent Brightens Lives & Living Spaces
Comedic Body Wash Ads
Moist Humor by Dove Debuted During SNL50: the Anniversary Special
Eco-Minded Millennial Ads
Coors Seltzer's 'Call to Inaction' Campaign Aims to Save Water
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
Seasonal Soda Ads
Olipop's Christmas Ad Challenges Big Soda
Humorous Sunscreen Spots
John Cena Stars in Neutrogena's 'Sunscreen You Can’t See' Ad
Tree-Integrated Mysterious Art
Banksy Unveils a Mysterious Tree Mural in London's Finsbury Park
Egg Hunt Hiding Services
Brach's Egg Hunt Hiders Take Planning and Preparation Off Familys' Plates
Quirky Plant-Based Food Ads
Gosh! Food's Falafel Advertisement is Surprising
Body-Positive Brand Campaigns
Dove's Super Bowl Ad Challenges Toxic Body Talk in Sports
Reimagined Classic Beer Campaigns
Guinness Gives 'A Lovely Day' a Modern Artistic Refresh
Low-Power Paper-Like Retail Signs
The Samsung Color E-Paper Display Has an Eye-Friendly Profile
All-Dark Marketing Campaigns
IKEA Introduces its Darkest Campaign Yet with Try Oslo's Help
Illusory Artwork-Displaying TVs
Hisense CanvasTV Hides in Plain Sight When Not in Use
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
Illuminated Curtained Light Installations
Lachlan Turczan Adds to Making the Invisible Visible
Peeling Cheese Packaging Billboards
This Babybel Billboard is Inspired by the Product's Packaging
E-Commerce Advertising Solutions
Reddit is Enhancing its Reach with the New Dynamic Product Ads
Back-Row Beer Campaigns
Harbin Beer's Back Rack Hack Used Less-Ideal Retail Space to Boost Sales
Travel-inspired Brand Campaigns
Michelin Launches the On the Road and Beyond! Campaign
Navigational Protein Bars
Perfect Bar Created a Bar with a GPS to Lead Shoppers to Its Product
Minimizing Phone Usage Initiatives
Heineken's Latest Campaign Addresses Phone Use at Music Events
Artistic Libation Campaigns
The Madrí Excepcional 'Paint Your Pint' Competition Challenges Fans
Heist-Themed Cheese Ads
This Maxi Babybel Ad Celebrates the Cheese's Return
Travel Lifestyle Brand Ads
Away’s 'Travel Changed Me' Film Captures the Power of Exploration
Artful Illusory Ads
giffgaff's Large-Scale Illusion Artwork Challenges Inattentional Blindness
Decorative Removable Paints
Glasst Unveils Unpaint to Easily Remove Paint
Anniversary-Celebrating Storytelling Ads
The Walt Disney Company Mark Marvel's 85th Anniversary
Geo-Targeting Store Advertisements
Tesco Recommends Ads Based on a Shopper's Location in a Store
Botanical Bodycare Pop-Ups
Lush Turned a Store into a Secret Garden Pop-Up for a Special Collab
Greek Countryside Rural Retreats
Invisible Studio Created the House in an Olive Grove in Corfu
Scannable Skincare Murals
The Ordinary's Interactive Augmented Reality Mural Promotes Bodycare
Cheeky Financial Stress-Alleviating Campaigns
HOPWTR Has Debuted a Creative Promotional Campaign
Playful QSR Campaigns
Cossette Forms the New McDonald's Campaign to Closest Restaurant
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
Advanced Printing Techniques
BrandMyDispo Has Introduced Printing Techniques for Custom Mylar Bags
Bizarre Soda Campaigns
Dr Pepper's Try More Weird Disrupts Life's Boredoms with Weirdness
Skateboarding-Inspired Ads
Vans Launched the ‘Always Pushing’ Ad Highlighting Skating Culture
Outdoor-Inspired Beer Spots
Busch Light's 'Circles' Ad Stars Ross Chastain and The Busch Guy
No-Nonsense Grooming Campaigns
The Rock Face Makes Scents Campaign Pokes Fun at Marketing Cliches
Creative Sun Safety Installations
Giant Beach Installation is a Reminder to Practice Sun Safety
Concealed Modern Barrel Stores
Studio Nine Architects Conceals a Store Under a Visitor Center
Short Film-Inspired Ads
Apple’s New ‘The Underdogs’ Ad Features Various Apple Products
Invisibility-Illusion Portable Cloaks
The Invisibility Shield Co. Relies on Science
Urban-Inspired Bag Campaigns
côte&ciel's Latest Editorial Campaign is Dubbed Rhythms of Transit
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
AI Ad Campaigns Chatbots
Deep Clue Streamlines Campaign Creation by Offering Actionable Advice
Ball Game-Promoting Urban Initiatives
London Sport and Saatchi & Saatchi Run 'More Ball Games'
Efficiency-Driven Digital Ad Solutions
ShopLiftr is Revolutionizing Digital Advertising
Artistic QR Codes
QR Artwork Directory Creates QR Codes That Boost User Engagement
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
Location-Based Photo Sharing
Harbor Creates Personalized Picture Albums Through location Sharing
Niche Interest Ads
Interest Navigator Uncovers Interests That are Hidden from Most Advertisers