DOOH 101

3
 min read
By
Bogdan Patynski
Marketing
Last Updated:
March 14, 2024

Digital Out-of-Home advertising, commonly known as DOOH, represents a dynamic shift in the way we encounter marketing messages in public spaces.

Unlike traditional out-of-home advertising, such as billboards and transit posters, DOOH leverages digital technology to present engaging, interactive, and sometimes personalized content. This can be seen on digital billboards, screens in elevators, airports, and shopping malls, pushing the boundaries of how we interact with ads outside our homes.

Our experience with DOOH goes beyond mere visual stimuli. It offers an avenue for brands to create awareness and connect with audiences on-the-go through captivating displays that can change based on multiple factors such as time of day, current events, or audience demographics.

By incorporating digital elements into out-of-home locations, advertisements are not just seen; they create an experience, encouraging passersby to stop and take notice.

DOOH brings a new layer of complexity to the realm of advertising. Its effectiveness stems from its ability to measure engagement and impact through various metrics. This digital evolution of traditional advertising methods means potential customers receive more tailored and relevant messages, while advertisers gain valuable insights into the performance of their campaigns, making DOOH an influential component of modern advertising strategies.

Understanding DOOH

Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) represents an innovative leap in connecting with audiences outside their homes by employing digital billboards and displays. It combines the visibility of traditional out-of-home advertising with the dynamic capabilities of digital media.

Evolution of Digital Out-of-Home

DOOH has transformed from static posters to dynamic digital screens that can update content in real-time.

At the heart of this evolution lies AdTech, the technological infrastructure that enables contextually relevant and targeted advertising. These advancements have turned outdoor media spaces into interactive hubs that not only display ads but also engage with consumers through tailored messaging based on various data inputs like time of day, weather, or live events.

DOOH vs Traditional Outdoor Advertising

The distinction between DOOH and traditional outdoor advertising rests on their operational capabilities. DOOH provides flexibility and immediacy with content that can be updated or changed remotely and, through programmatic platforms, offers real-time bidding and purchasing of ad space, akin to online advertising methods.

Traditional outdoor advertising, on the other hand, usually involves static images with longer campaign durations and lacks the option for immediate adjustment. DOOH campaigns have the edge with their ability to utilize locational data and mobile marketing to further refine targeting and enhance the relevance of displayed content.

Digital billboards enable advertisers to reach consumers on the go, capturing their attention when purchase intent might be at its peak.

DOOH Advertising Platforms

Technology elevates these media to be more interactive, flexible, and efficient in campaign delivery. These platforms range from dynamic display technologies to programmatic systems, each offering distinct advantages for advertisers.

Dynamic Display Technologies

Dynamic display technologies are at the forefront of DOOH innovation. They include advanced billboards and LED screens that allow for high-quality, eye-catching visuals that can change in real-time. These displays support high-definition content and rich media, making them powerful tools for captivating audience attention in public spaces.

Programmatic DOOH Advertising

Programmatic DOOH refers to the automated buying and selling of DOOH advertising.

By utilizing Demand-Side Platforms (DSPs), advertisers can target audiences more precisely and optimize their ad spend. Supply-Side Platforms (SSPs) like BroadSign enable publishers to manage and offer their inventory efficiently, leading to streamlined transactions in the DOOH space.

Real-Time Bidding (RTB) Platforms

Real-Time Bidding (RTB) platforms are a subset of programmatic advertising that facilitate the buying and selling of ad impressions through real-time auctions. This method allows for immediate transaction execution based on the media value and the audience's profile, utilizing ad tech to serve relevant ads to the target demographics at the optimal time.

Engagement and Measurement

Our objective with DOOH advertising is to seize the attention of passersby and transform it into meaningful engagement. With the incorporation of interactive technologies, we enable our audience to interact with our ads in real-time. We prioritize tailoring content that resonates with our target demographics, sparking conversations and actions that lead to measurable outcomes.

Measurement and ROI

Measurement lies at the heart of our DOOH strategies. By leveraging ad log timestamps and device tracking, we gain insights into the performance of our campaigns. Data-driven approaches afford us a granular understanding of audience behaviors, translating to improved attribution models. It is with this precision that we advance towards achieving a better ROI. Our tracking initiatives are refined through continuous analysis, enabling us to optimize our DOOH placements and measure value with more clarity than ever before.

Creative Strategies in DOOH

These past few years we've witnessed remarkable progress in deploying creative strategies that capture attention and deliver messages resonating with audiences. At the heart of these strategies are dynamic creative content and targeted and personalized experiences, both fueled by the latest technologies.

Dynamic Creative Content

We understand that the key to impactful DOOH campaigns lies in dynamic content—digital ads that can change in real-time based on various triggers. We utilize data feeds such as weather, traffic, or social media trends to adjust creative elements on the fly, which ensures our content remains relevant and engaging. For instance, imagine a billboard that showcases a sunny beach scene during sunny weather but switches to a cozy indoor setting during rain, instantly aligning with the audience's current environment.

  • Real-time adaptability: We can modify messages based on time of day or current events.
  • Context-awareness: By reflecting the environment or situational changes, our content connects more deeply with viewers.

Furthermore, we explore the use of facial recognition technology, which can adapt content based on the audience's demographics or even emotions, though always with a strong respect for privacy and ethical considerations.

Targeted and Personalized Experiences

We've harnessed the power of targeting and personalization in DOOH to ensure that our advertisements are not just seen but felt. By leveraging geofencing and beacons, we create hyper-localized campaigns that reach the right people in the right place. This could mean activating a DOOH ad when someone enters a specific zone or using a beacon to send personalized offers to people who are near our digital signage.

  • Geofencing: Engage consumers within a defined geographic area near our billboards.
  • Beacons: Trigger specific content on users' mobile devices to complement our DOOH displays, creating a unified marketing experience.

Through these methods, our goal is to make every encounter with our DOOH content a tailored experience, whether it's offering a coffee deal on a chilly morning or reminding sports fans about tonight's big game when they're in proximity to the stadium. Our commitment to innovation in DOOH advertising powers personal connections between brands and their audiences.

Channels and Locations for DOOH

With DOOH, we focus on maximizing visibility and engagement by leveraging strategic locations and integrating with various marketing channels. We'll explore how public areas serve as prime real estate for adverts and the importance of an omnichannel approach to amplify reach.

Strategic Placement in Public Spaces

DOOH thrives in public spaces where there's a high footfall, such as shopping malls, gyms, and bus shelters. These environments are ideal for capturing the attention of diverse audiences who are on the move.

  • Shopping Malls: We utilize dynamic digital displays in shopping malls to engage shoppers and influence purchase decisions in real-time.
  • Gyms: By placing screens in gyms, we tap into a health-conscious demographic, presenting tailored content as they work out.
  • Bus Shelters: Screens at bus shelters can grab the attention of commuters, with the added benefit of extended viewing time as people wait for public transport.

Each location is carefully selected for its potential to maximize visibility and deliver targeted messages to the right audience segments.

Expanding Reach with Omnichannel Marketing

Embracing an omnichannel marketing strategy is crucial for DOOH's effectiveness. We ensure that our DOOH campaigns are not standalone efforts but form an integral component of a broader marketing mix, including:

  • Social Media: We connect DOOH campaigns with social media, encouraging interaction and sharing, thus enhancing campaign virality.
  • Online Advertising: By synchronizing DOOH content with online advertising, we provide a seamless consumer experience across devices and platforms.

Leveraging these marketing channels creates multiple touchpoints, reinforcing our message and fostering stronger consumer relationships. This integrated approach ensures consistency and reinforces brand messaging across all consumer touchpoints.

Future Trends in DOOH

We're witnessing a surge in innovation and integration that's shaping how marketers construct their strategies. The forthcoming trends are not only technologically driven but are also redefining the essence of modern marketing practices.

Technological Advances and Innovations

Technological innovation sits at the heart of DOOH's progression.

We're seeing emergent Content Delivery Networks (CDN) optimizing the distribution of Dynamic Creatives, enabling marketers to tailor content in real-time, influenced by Third-Party Data and audience analytics.

Innovations in Over-the-top (OTT) and Connected TV (CTV) platforms are removing the boundaries between indoor and outdoor media, fostering a seamless viewing experience that blends both native and DOOH advertising spaces.

The Role of DOOH in Modern Marketing

Our modern marketing approach with DOOH involves a fusion of data-driven insights and programmatic ad buys, aligning with multi-channel strategies.

We understand that DOOH doesn't stand alone;  with other channels it forms a cohesive narrative and touchpoints for brands. This omnichannel integration ensures that DOOH is pivotal for a successful marketing strategy, considering its ability to reach audiences on a massive scale and with greater contextual relevance.