In the months leading up to Volkswagen’s debut of their ID. Buzz, an all-electric version of their venerable microbus, a series of fiendishly clever billboard ads began appearing in selected markets.
Most of these were wrap style ads, designed to be displayed around corners.
The one that caught our eye in particular had the image of the back of the ID. Buzz on one panel, the front of the vehicle on the second, and the back again, in semi-profile on the final panel.
Nothing remarkable so far, but it’s the verbiage that accompanied each shot that made the ad memorable. “It’s back” on panel one. “Its front” on panel two, and “Its back again” on the last panel.
Nerds and English majors alike had a field day with the level use (and non-use) of punctuation, and we love the fact that the only place the company’s logo is featured is on the vehicle itself.
There are no other words on the billboard besides those mentioned above, and honestly, none are needed. Just about everyone recognizes the microbus on sight. It doesn’t need an introduction.
While the product your company is selling might not have the brand recognition of the VW Microbus, anybody, in any business can play clever word games in their advertising, and it is honestly appreciated.
Too often, people are afraid to be clever in public and that’s a shame. There’s value in it, and as this ad demonstrates, a little wordplay in just the right place can spark a lively, global conversation that can increase your brand’s visibility.
If you’re struggling to think of a way to apply this, or any other advertising strategy to the products or services your company sells, we can help with that. Our advertising professionals have decades of combined experience, and we’d love to put that expertise to work for you. To get started, just give us a call at 404-671-9490.