As technology is increasing, marketing strategies are now reaching new heights. Getting the message out there now must reach the public in new and interesting ways.

A couple of months ago, as I was taking the subway to work, I noticed what I assumed to be an ad. The photo was of a father and son. Below the photo was the line “My son used to have his own hopes and aspirations. Now he has mine. Thanks Obay!” Next to the sentence was a bottle of what appeared to be medication.

For weeks, ads similar to these kept appearing across the city of Toronto. Including radio ads advertising with the number 1-888-YOU-OBAY.

I kept thinking either this is some Scientology or other extreme religious ad (I’m allowed to guess!), or this was a new kind of marketing strategy that was so brilliant as it grabbed the attention of its readers like no other ad I’ve seen previously.

After weeks of speculation and theories from the public, it was discovered this ad was put on by the Colleges Ontario group. New ads emerged with lines explaining kids do have a choice and College can provide them with the knowledge to think for themselves.

In the end, this marketing technique proved to be successful not only in Toronto and Canada but internationally as well. It’s a unique idea and it definitely worked!

Filed under: Marketing Trends