Under the Influence with Terry O'Reilly Billboards Are Always In Bloom
10 snips
Nov 1, 2025 Explore the creative world of billboards, where less is more. Discover how British Airways utilized real-time flight data for a captivating display. Marvel at Skoda's tiny billboards cleverly placed to attract drivers. Learn about Audi's innovative fog-projected ads that illuminate their eco-friendly technology. And prepare to laugh at a wild stunt involving a giant muffin that went hilariously wrong. Join in on the journey of ingenious advertising that pushes boundaries with limited words!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Road Signs Turned Into A Hit Single
- In 1965 George Martin recorded the Master Singers performing road signs as chants; The Highway Code single hit the UK charts.
- The novelty record reached number 25 and outsold major artists briefly.
Billboard Brevity Is Essential
- Billboards demand extreme brevity: aim for seven words or less to communicate instantly to passing drivers.
- Most fail because they cram too many words and lack a single strong idea.
Hand-Painted Billboards Launched Rock Ads
- Electra rented a massive hand-painted billboard on Sunset Boulevard to promote The Doors' debut album in 1967.
- Hand-painted boards offered unmatched depth and required large specialist teams to create them.