Billboard and Outdoor Advertising

If you’ve been anywhere in New York City recently, you may have spotted one of the “Ana’s Eyes” billboards or bus ads that have been cropping up everywhere. The simple black and white signs provide no information other than the simple message, “See the World Through Ana’s Eyes.” Every time I saw one of these advertisements I was always intrigued and perplexed. Who is Ana? What is so different about the way she sees the world?

Lately, I noticed some of the billboards providing a little more information: “See the World Through Ana Tzarev’s Eyes.” Ana Tzarev is a Croatian born, self-taught artist currently residing in Monaco. The billboards are in place to promote her New York gallery which will open to the public on November 24^th and also host numerous artistic and cultural events. While the billboards are extremely vague, their mysteriousness has created a buzz of curiosity amongst New Yorkers making it an extremely effective campaign.

I wonder if the gallery is planning on doing any additional promotional activity. The campaign has focused mainly on billboards, buses and phone kiosks thus far, but I think the “See the World Through Ana’s Eyes” slogan could transition very well to totes and apparel.

Recently these hilarious BE KANYE ads for Absolut Vodka have been gracing the New York City subways. I was actually confused until I realized it was part of Absolut’s latest campaign line: portraying things in an “Absolut” world. It’s a pretty good partnership because it also promotes Kanye West well.

A bunch of graffiti on the subway yesterday reminded me of MSN’s “corporate graffiti” back in 2002. To promote the launch of their new product, the company strategically placed around 16,000 MSN “butterfly” decals around Manhattan.  The city eventually intervened and made Microsoft apologize and pay a few fines (they can afford it!). Those hassles were probably worth it, because the event generated an enormous amount of publicity and serves as an awesome example of guerrilla outdoor marketing.