{"id":7045015,"date":"2026-08-23T15:10:23","date_gmt":"2026-08-23T15:10:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/advertising\/billboard-selfies-how-ooh-drives-social-media\/"},"modified":"2026-08-23T15:10:23","modified_gmt":"2026-08-23T15:10:23","slug":"billboard-selfies-how-ooh-drives-social-media","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7045015","title":{"rendered":"Billboard Selfies: How OOH Drives Social Media"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Selfies and billboards<\/a> were made for each other. Over the past decade, out-of-home advertising has transformed from something people drive past into something people seek out, pose in front of, and share with their followers. Billboard selfies are now a legitimate social media<\/a> trend \u2014 and a powerful amplifier for OOH campaigns.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe desire to take selfies is a stamp of relevancy for billboards. It\u2019s no longer just people driving by and noticing the boards. Now, they want to take their pictures with them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2014 Robert Landau, author of Rock \u2018N\u2019 Roll Billboards of the Sunset Strip<\/a><\/em><\/cite><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\"Rock\n<\/picture><\/p>\n

The Rise of Billboard Selfies<\/h2>\n

Billboard selfies became a trend over the past decade, and Instagram deserves most of the credit. Between 2016 and 2018, the number of Instagram users doubled<\/a>, going from 500 million to 1 billion. The app also overtook Snapchat \u2014 the longtime go-to photo app for people under 25 \u2014 with the addition of Stories<\/a>, which vanish after 24 hours, much like Snapchat\u2019s content.<\/p>\n

As Instagram matured, so did users\u2019 tastes. Feeds became more curated and focused on aesthetics, which also contributed to billboard selfies\u2019 rise. Billboards provide cool backdrops that spark conversation. People can add clever captions or put their own spin on others\u2019 selfies.<\/p>\n

Trends are also a huge part of social media<\/a>, and billboards<\/a> play into that too. People shoot fun twists on things like the Bridgerton<\/em> shuffle in front of a Bridgerton<\/em> board, or use optical illusions to \u201csave\u201d a celeb on a billboard. Advertisers recognized the audience desire for interactivity early \u2014 how many times have you seen a billboard in Times Square<\/a> inviting passersby to text a selfie to be featured on the brand\u2019s feed?<\/p>\n

Why Do People Take Pictures in Front of Billboards?<\/h2>\n

Selfies are a form of self-expression. Choosing the backdrop for a photo you plan to post on social media is akin to an endorsement. \u201cWhen you look at a social media post and like it, you\u2019re saying, \u2018This speaks to me,’\u201d says Landau. \u201cTaking a selfie in front of a billboard is another way of sharing that. This is something you\u2019re putting your stamp of approval on.\u201d<\/p>\n

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  • You like the artwork.<\/strong> Whether it\u2019s a dapper dresser<\/a> or a visual pun, billboards always have stunning creative \u2014 and including them in your background preserves that creativity for all time. Agencies design billboards to be visually arresting specifically to encourage this.<\/li>\n
  • You like the musical artist.<\/strong> When you spot your favorite artist<\/a> on a billboard in the wild, you want to document that moment.<\/li>\n
  • You bring something to the moment.<\/strong> A funny pose, a takeoff on the billboard imagery<\/a>, an equally absurd pun, a showy outfit<\/a> \u2014 the possibilities are endless. Agencies increasingly design OOH installations like a canvas that you can add to with your own creativity<\/a>.<\/li>\n
  • You\u2019re on the billboard.<\/strong> This is hardly new \u2014 Landau remembers artists in the 1970s, like ABBA, taking photos in front of their billboards<\/a> on the Sunset Strip. It\u2019s just easier to share them now. It\u2019s also a pretty great way<\/a> to show everyone you made it<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Our Favorite Billboard Selfies<\/h2>\n

    Here are a few examples of billboard or out of home selfies and videos we love:<\/p>\n

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    1. Playboy Shop:<\/a><\/strong> Taking a selfie in the iconic Playboy<\/em> bunny outfit ????\u200d\u2640\ufe0f in front of a Playboy<\/em> Wild Posting\u00ae<\/a>? Doesn\u2019t get more on-brand than that.<\/li>\n
    2. L.A. Witch:<\/a><\/strong> This selfie reflects the attitude of the billboard: totally hot, a little mysterious, a lot of drama.<\/li>\n
    3. Danny Lux:<\/a><\/strong> There is absolutely no bigger flex than taking a selfie in front of your own billboard \u2014 unless it\u2019s celebrating a Grammy nomination<\/a> by taking a selfie in front of your own billboard.<\/li>\n
    4. The Yips:<\/a><\/strong> Playing with optical illusion by holding hands with the billboard, then lifting them apart in a grand reveal.<\/li>\n
    5. Provoker:<\/a><\/strong> Another \u201cboys in the band\u201d selfie, with the artists unveiling the billboard for their latest album. Did we mention how rare it is to be good enough to get your own billboard for an album? Serious aura.<\/li>\n
    6. BLXST:<\/a><\/strong> Popping champagne ???? in front of your own billboard is a vibe and the perfect way to celebrate a new album (Sixtape III<\/em>).
    7. Mike Dimes:<\/a><\/strong> The billboard asks \u201cWho is Mike Dimes\u201d \u2014 and the selfie answers.<\/li>\n
    8. Julia, Julia:<\/em><\/a><\/strong> The simple symmetry of Julia Kugel Montoya\u2019s real face lined up right below her face on the billboard.<\/li>\n
    9. The Sculpt Society:<\/a><\/strong> You can\u2019t bottle sheer excitement, but you can capture it in a reel.<\/li>\n
    10. Manya Schiess:<\/a><\/strong> After South African artist Manya Schiess\u2019s designs won a contest to be featured in the We \u2764\ufe0f NYC campaign, she came to New York to check out her Wild Posting\u00ae. Dreams do come true!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Take Advantage of the Selfies and Billboards Trend<\/h2>\n

      We know what goes into creating out-of-home advertising<\/a> that earns organic social amplification. Contact us today<\/a> to discuss your options and put up a board people will want to stand in front of.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n