As the race for innovative marketing heats up, businesses are experimenting with creative ways to grab attention. Recently, Bengaluru streets witnessed a unique advertising trend that quickly went viral on social media – human billboards.
A widely shared photo showed three men walking with brightly lit electronic billboards strapped to their backs, promoting offers for a 10-minute food delivery app. Sharing the image, a user on X humorously captioned, “VC: How much funding do you need? Startup: $5 million. VC: What’s your customer acquisition plan? Startup: Human ads. VC: Take my money.”
The post garnered over 1.35 million views, igniting mixed reactions. One user criticized, “This type of ad is everywhere now, and it feels unsettling.” Another appreciated the effort, saying, “This idea works. Meanwhile, we’re struggling to figure out profitability while competing with market trends.”
Some expressed concern over the ethics, with one comment reading, “It’s disheartening to see people carrying heavy gear for hours as walking advertisements.”
This isn’t the first time Bengaluru’s marketing scene has stirred discussions. A similar buzz was created in September with a 3D billboard ad showing a man pouring steaming coffee, designed to look like he was serving it to passersby.
The trend reflects businesses’ relentless drive to stand out but also raises questions about advertising’s human cost.
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