Like a Da Vinci painting or a Shakespeare play, when your creativity hits the world with boundless forgiveness, it’s hard to miss. The pressure is on. We’re in an era of fast-paced creativity.
In the ever-evolving world of advertising, creative marketing strategies have become essential for brands seeking to captivate audiences and foster genuine connections. These approaches not only do those two things, but also transform mundane moments into exciting experiences. As we delve into the world of out-of-home marketing and explore how ads on cars can revolutionize brand visibility, we’ll uncover the secrets behind successful campaigns that have redefined what it means to engage with audiences.
-
Take the dang risk
-
Be authentically creative
-
Don’t be afraid to get a lil scrappy
Get Risky. Go ALL OUT.
Imagine pulling up next to one of these cars at a stoplight.
Successful in-your-face campaigns challenge audience expectations and create a sense of novelty that cuts through the noise of traditional advertising. Just like you see here above, these creepy faces scattered throughout LA really got heads turning and chatter going for the Smile 2 Movie premiere just before Halloween last year. Not only were these window stickers SUPER creepy, they were pretty realistic-looking, as if the main character was smiling from the car next to you.
The real power of these campaigns lies in their ability to spark conversations and encourage sharing, which was exactly the goal for Paramount with this campaign. By creating something truly unique, brands suddenly turn their audience into advocates, amplifying their message organically.
Get Creative. But BE AUTHENTIC.
It’s easy to talk the talk on social media. It’s easy to say your business values environmental friendliness. But how do you actually show up in the real world? Watershed practices what they preach and this campaign was proof of it.
Watershed, an enterprise climate platform helping businesses measure and reduce carbon emissions, made a bold statement at GreenBiz 2025 in Phoenix. Known for empowering corporations to decarbonize their supply chains, Watershed “swarmed” the event using only electric vehicles wrapped in EnhanceAir coatings—an innovative touch that actively purifies the air as they drive. By choosing this eco-conscious activation at the premier sustainability conference, they didn’t just talk about climate action—they drove it.
Get Scrappy. Stay TOP OF MIND.
Turn routine journeys into your playing field. Brands are leveraging their competitors’ experiences and audiences. Macy’s turned Target runs into marketing opportunities, leveraging rideshare ads to catch shoppers’ attention during the opening of a new Macy’s Store around the corner from Target.
It’s clever and works well with a medium that can virtually reach any location and target any audience of your choice.
For your brand, maybe it’s a conference or an event your competitor(s) are throwing. How do you get there? How do you make your presence known and stay top of mind, or at least in the back of it? Rideshare ads — that’s how!
Core Values + Authenticity > Any Stunt
Brand alignment and marketing campaigns go hand in hand. When the two align, it’s like a karate in the garage moment (Step Brothers, reference 😉). No matter how cool the stunt, authenticity and alignment between your core values, goals, and marketing initiatives are key to running a successful campaign. Of course, you want the stunt to be eye-catching and memorable, but not at the cost of your brand identity and values.
Rideshare ads have emerged as an innovative way to reach audiences during their daily commutes. By transforming vehicles into mobile advertising platforms, brands can engage with consumers in a captive and highly targeted environment.
