Murals, Street Art and Beyond: Unconventional Outdoor Marketing

Marketing

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To be successful, marketing needs to be creative and innovative. A few social media posts and some email marketing might work for a while, but if you want your brand to stand out, you need to take it to the next level. One way to do this is by trying outdoor marketing

Brands are increasingly leveraging murals, street art, and other outside-the-box ambient advertising to creatively engage consumers. Vibrant and captivating outdoor art installations provide an ideal canvas for marketers thinking beyond static hoarding/billboard, bus stop ads, and other static signs.

Think about how popular artwork from artists like Banksy is. Murals and street art enable brands to transform urban landscapes into dynamic, interactive brand stories. Colourful wall paintings and artistic graffiti-style advertisements make statements while seamlessly blending into the environment. 

Art in High Traffic Areas

Artwork strategically placed in high-traffic areas generates awareness as consumers pass by the larger-than-life displays. When art and aesthetics align with the brand’s messaging and personality, it elicits positive emotional responses that convert into stronger brand connections. Brands from Coca-Cola to Red Bull have commissioned captivating murals that encapsulate their essence while adding artistic flare to the surrounding area. This kind of creative marketing approach with the help of Fluro, a digital creative agency, can help you achieve better visibility.

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Creative Advertising

Creative advertising displays that people quite literally walk into, such as placement sticker campaigns, 3D street paintings, and floor decals catch the eyes of pedestrians, immersing them in brand experiences. Interactive chalk art invites engagement. Brands can select locations relevant to their audiences and products, driving home contextual messaging through inventive urban installations.

Displays in Surprising Locations

Some brands are going off the grid with unconventional ambient advertising displays in surprising locales. This includes mirrored decals and stall door advertisements to capture high-value attention. Brand partnerships with parks and recreational areas lead to signage and art blended into the natural environment. Brands focused on community impact might support nonprofit murals or arts initiatives as a way to organically integrate their message into outdoor spaces.  

Strategic Placement

The key to effective unconventional outdoor marketing is viewing public spaces as brand canvases. The combination of creativity and strategic placement leads to advertising that resonates. Yet brands must ensure the experience feels authentic. Art with overt sales pitches comes across as inauthentic and disruptive. Creative marketing artwork that reflects local community interests and aesthetics will be welcomed. Brands can win over the public by enhancing their experience of public spaces versus commandeering it.  

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The Surprise Factor

The ephemeral nature of murals, street art, and unconventional installations makes each encounter special, which is why murals and street art are so popular. Consumers feel they have discovered something novel versus the same reoccurring eyesore. They recognise and appreciate the creativity that went into designing, producing, and placing the advertisement in often unexpected settings. When executed with imagination and aligned with the brand story, it sparks conversation, social shares, and brand affinity. People love to post pictures of funky murals, cool art installations, and guerrilla graffiti on social media, so you’re likely to enjoy greater brand exposure.

Outdoor art installations require long-term planning and commitment. Yet the high-visibility value makes the investment worthwhile when part of larger campaigns. As a bonus, visual content is eminently shareable on social media, expanding visibility beyond just foot traffic. Unconventional ambient advertising done right infuses creativity, public engagement, and conversation that leaves an indelible brand impression. Brand marketers willing to think outside the box will reap the benefits.