Engaging Out of Home

Now this is something I just find great and not to mention totally fun. Carnival Cruise Lines and their ad agency Arnold, read here via BrandFreak, have come up with an engaging out of home display that takes advantage of empty storefronts. Not only does this concept add the interactive aspect to OOH advertising, it also makes those previously boarded up storefronts look a little more attractive. And who can complain about that?!

Now some might say it adds to the advertising clutter we already see on the street, and in all other forms and places as we go about our daily lives, and while yes, I guess this is true, I also say this is one of the best forms of ‘clutter’ I’ve seen lately. However, working in the marketing/advertising field I do tend to appreciate the ad clutter, not actually thinking of it as clutter, so maybe my opinion is a little biased here.

Also, being familiar with virtual aquariums, as I happen to have tried my luck creating and watching my own virtual fish swim around on the screen, only to see it be munched on by a larger fish, I can attest to the fun aspect these allow.

If you find yourself in Baltimore, Houston, L.A., N.Y., or D.C., keep an eye out for Carnival’s virtual aquarium. See if it catches your eye. While it may not prompt you to head straight back to the office and book yourself a cruise, it might encourage you to pull out your cell and create your own fish. Sounds like a good way to procrastinate on the way back to the office from lunch.