Billboard advertising specialist Ocean Outdoor is offering the public the chance to put their smiley faces on its boards, as lockdown 2 gets underway.
Outdoor ads were hit badly during the first lockdown, as no one was moving around and advertisers couldn’t justify spots on the popular large outdoor boards that few would see.
However, key and frontline workers will still be moving around, so Ocean is putting its big boards to good use for all.
Ocean of smilers
Putting a brave face on it, Ocean is making the most of a bad situation by “giving everyone something to smile about”.
The premium out of home media owner is inviting people to Smile With Us for its city and roadside screens to help elevate the mood of the nation with a daily injection of happiness.
People can submit photos of themselves, their families and friends which will appear in unison on 50 large format outdoor screens in the 13 UK cities and communities where Ocean operates.
From Southampton to Aberdeen, user generated selfies of people wearing smiles will appear in a loop for 60 minutes at 12noon every day until lockdown is lifted.
People who want to star on a billboard can participate by uploading their photos to www.oceanoutdoor.com/smile
Ocean Outdoor chief marketing officer Richard Malton said: “A smile helps, it’s a natural anti-depressant. As the popular song reminds us, ‘when you’re smiling, the whole world smiles with you.
“So hopefully, a daily dose of fantastic smiles and happy faces will help improve people’s well-being as we reach the end of a tremendously difficult year together.”
During the first national lockdown, Ocean screens quickly pivoted to spread hope with children’s paintings of rainbows and other special initiatives to celebrate NHS heroes, key workers and volunteers who were helping to keep their neighbours and local communities safe.
Ocean’s latest effort with the smiles should be lauded for its creativity in what is clearly going to be a tough few weeks ahead for many.
Ocean’s ‘Seven Reasons to Smile Every Day’
- Smiling helps the human immune system to function more efficiently
- Smiling lowers your blood pressure
- Smiling is a drug. It releases natural endorphins, natural painkillers and serotonin, chemicals which make us feel better
- Smiling relieves stress, makes us feel more positive and boosts confidence
- Smiling can trick your body into elevating your mood
- It’s scientifically proven that smiling changes the mood of others
- A smile is better than a frown any day and it’s said to make us look younger too