Remember when billboards just told you what to buy? Those days are gone. Today, they can whisper, wow and even warp reality.
From floating pink handbags to chefs leaping off buildings- Fake OOH (Out-Of-Home) advertising is redefining not just marketing, but storytelling itself.
In a world where attention is fleeting and ad-blindness is real, Fake OOH transforms passive cities into dynamic stages, making audiences stop, stare, and share.
So what’s behind this urban spectacle that’s suddenly flooding our feeds?
What Is Fake OOH and Why It Matters Now
Fake OOH is the practice of using CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery) to create hyper-realistic outdoor advertising content that looks like it’s happening in the real world, but exists only in the digital space.
These videos are crafted to appear as if they were filmed on the streets of New York, Berlin, or Tokyo, but in reality, they’re carefully composited visual illusions distributed primarily on social media.
Why is it booming now?
- Digital fatigue is real- audiences crave novelty and surprise.
- Social media algorithms reward visually disruptive content.
- Gen Z and Millennials are drawn to brands that show creativity over conformity.
- Most importantly: It works.
Fake OOH isn’t about outdoor exposure. It’s about viral reach, emotional reaction, and storytelling at scale, without needing a single physical installation.
innomate x Disney
innomate x Foxy
innomate x Komfort
The New Era of Urban Storytelling
Fake OOH is more than an eye-catching visual- it’s a narrative format. Here’s how it transforms cities into stages:
1. Cities Become Characters
Famous skylines and urban backdrops aren’t just scenery- they’re co-stars. When something surreal happens in these familiar spaces, it commands attention.
2. Surprise Becomes Story
A bus-sized sandwich bursting through a wall? A bear jumping off a billboard? These aren’t random stunts- they’re visual metaphors packed with meaning. The story unfolds in seconds.
3. Audiences Become Amplifiers
The best Fake OOH campaigns invite reaction. People comment, remix, and repost. In doing so, they become part of the campaign narrative.
4. From Spectacle to Episodic
Some brands are already experimenting with sequels, turning each drop into a chapter in a larger branded story.
Why Brand Marketers Are Jumping In?
- Virality by Design
- Built to be shared.
- Works especially well on TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts.
- Lower Production Costs vs Traditional OOH
- No physical build.
- All the spectacle, none of the logistics.
- Global Reach
- Your CGI campaign in Berlin can trend in Brazil within minutes.
- Longer Watch Times & Higher Engagement
- These videos are stop-the-scroll content. They earn attention rather than interrupting.
Backed by Data:
- 67% of AR users say immersive formats grab their attention more than traditional ads– Snap x Ipsos: The Augmentality Shift
- Fake OOH campaigns often outperform traditional OOH by 3x in social engagement– MarketSplash
- 4 in 5 brands using immersive content report improved campaign performance– Deloitte Digital x Snap
Case Study: InnoMate x Disney+ Germany – “The Bear”
In 2024, Disney+ Germany partnered with InnoMate to create a bold Fake OOH activation for the hit series The Bear and the results exceeded all expectations.
What We Created
- A jaw-dropping CGI movie depicting a kitchen apron hanging from the television tower at Alexanderplatz in Berlin.
- While the city bustled with life in the background, a large table with luxurious tableware appeared on Alexanderplatz. The tablecloth proclaimed that the new season of The Bear had been served.
The Impact
- Over 7.2 million views on TikTok.
- Thousands of organic shares.
- Significant lift in The Bear’s social mentions and search interest.
- Loved by both fans and first-time viewers, it bridged the gap between audience segments.
Why It Worked
- Hyperreal CGI: Seamlessly blended into Berlin’s cityscape.
- Narrative Depth: Visually communicated the series’ energy and chaos in a single scene.
- Emotionally Gripping: Surprised, delighted, and invited conversation.
Fake OOH didn’t just promote The Bear, it told its story, instantly and powerfully.
The City is Your Canvas. What Will You Paint?
Fake OOH isn’t a fad- it’s a future-proof storytelling tool. It merges artistry, tech, and emotion to turn urban chaos into curated narrative.
For brand marketers, it’s not just about “being seen.” It’s about being remembered, shared, and felt. Whether you’re launching a product, a show, or a movement- your next great story might just start… on the side of a building.
Ready to make your brand impossible to scroll past? Let’s bring your story to the skyline.
