Detroit’s skyline is usually plastered with ads for cars, casinos, and fast food.
But this spring, 30 billboards swapped slogans for something unexpected: poetry.
Lines written by high school students took over the city. No logos. No products. Just words.
Why it worked:
- Surprise factor: In a world where every billboard screams “buy,” a quiet poem whispers louder.
- Community power: Giving local students the mic turned an ad space into a stage.
- Emotional hook: Poetry doesn’t sell a product. It sells a feeling.
Here’s my twist: if I ran a brand, I’d borrow this play. Imagine a sneaker company running haikus about movement instead of “50% off.” People don’t remember discounts. They remember words that move them.
Takeaway: The best ads don’t always push products. Sometimes, they pause traffic with a thought.