ee, Out of Home Advertising has always embraced humor. When it comes to billboards, which only have a few seconds to grab your attention, a clever or funny message often outperforms a traditional branding play. A quick laugh is more memorable—and more shareable—than a forgettable tagline.
Of course, humor is tricky. It’s subjective, and what makes one person laugh might leave another scratching their head. If you’re going to go for funny, it’s smart to run it past a few people first—and make sure they all actually laugh. Otherwise, you might go viral for all the wrong reasons.
That said, when funny works, it really works. Here are nine billboards that nailed it.
1. Subway
Sex sells—sure. But it’s even funnier when it’s used for misdirection.
This billboard for Subway has absolutely nothing to do with sandwiches at first glance, which is exactly why it works. It plays on shock value and flips the tired “sex sells” trope on its head. There’s nothing inherently sexy about the word “sex” printed in huge letters—especially when it’s used to reel you in for a footlong sub.
The bold typography against a minimalist background amps up the impact. The clean layout and high contrast make the message impossible to miss, a textbook example of effective billboard design.
It’s smart, it’s unexpected—and it’s hilarious. A standout piece of attention-grabbing creative.
2. TheGoldConcept.com
Engagement and wedding-themed billboards always hit a nerve—and often, a funny bone. Maybe it’s because marriage is such a major life event that using humor to address it feels disarming, even a little rebellious.
This clever piece from TheGoldConcept.com lands that balance perfectly. It not only earns a laugh but subtly reinforces the durability of the product it’s promoting. Great outdoor ads make a point and make it stick—this one does both with punchy copy and emotional truth.
It’s sharp. It’s a little dark. And it’s incredibly memorable.
Bonus points for delivering a complete narrative in one sentence: setup, payoff, and product tie-in—all on a single billboard. For more on why humor and outdoor advertising are a natural pair, don’t miss our guide to outdoor advertising advantages.
3. McDonald’s
Sometimes you see a billboard and think, “Wait—did they really go there?” In this case, McDonald’s absolutely did. A franchise in New Mexico turned heads with a cheeky reference to rolling a joint, playing off local cannabis culture in a bold, unexpected way.
Referencing marijuana in advertising is a risky move—but one that clearly paid off here. Commuters laughed, social media lit up, and even local news stations picked up the story, giving this ad far more reach than its paid placement alone.
This is a textbook example of how clever outdoor creative can live beyond the billboard itself. When humor strikes the right cultural chord, it becomes a viral moment—especially on visual-first platforms like Instagram.
For brands looking to stand out, calculated humor combined with cultural awareness can turn a single location into a conversation starter. To explore more ways outdoor ads can amplify your reach, check out our guide to outdoor advertising advantages.
4. Four Seasons Heating & Air Conditioning
Sure, this isn’t the first company to use this joke—and probably won’t be the last. But that’s part of what makes it work. Four Seasons taps into a universally relatable problem (a sweltering house) with a line that delivers humor *and* a solution in one breath.
Once the chuckle wears off, the message is crystal clear: You’re hot. They’ll fix it.
This billboard succeeds by keeping it simple. Funny outdoor ads don’t need to be groundbreaking to be effective—they need to be quick, relevant, and easy to process at 60 miles per hour. Four Seasons sticks the landing with classic, no-frills comedy and clean design.
It’s a reminder that in outdoor advertising, **clarity is just as important as creativity**.
5. Silberman’s
There’s nothing subtle about this billboard—and that’s exactly why it works.
In outdoor advertising, clarity is key. Drivers don’t have time to decode nuance, and Silberman’s delivers a punchline that’s instantly recognizable. The humor lies in its blunt honesty: we see the problem, we see the fix, and it’s all delivered with tongue-in-cheek charm.
The visual setup is direct and effective—using a bit of exaggerated storytelling to make a memorable point. While weight is a sensitive subject, this ad walks the line carefully, using humor that feels more playful than mean-spirited.
It’s a great example of how bold outdoor messaging, when done with just the right tone, can entertain *and* convert. Silberman’s keeps it light, keeps it real, and keeps eyeballs on their brand.
6. Imodium
Let’s be honest—this billboard taps into a universal fear: the empty toilet paper roll. While today that image could have a few meanings, especially post-2020, this ad clearly plays on the most relatable one.
Everyone knows what Imodium is for. And instead of spelling it out, the brand lets the imagery do the talking. It’s a clever use of visual storytelling—simple, a little cheeky, and immediately effective.
Bathroom humor may not be highbrow, but it’s undeniably memorable. That’s what makes this ad so shareable. You don’t just notice it—you *remember* it, laugh at it, and maybe even send it to a friend.
It’s proof that in outdoor advertising, **a well-placed image is sometimes more powerful than any headline**.
7. Bic
This is outdoor advertising at its most clever. No headline. No tagline. Just a razor, some flattened grass—and a brilliant visual punchline.
Bic’s billboard shows a giant razor seemingly slicing through a grassy field, with the blade resting right at the edge of the “cut.” It instantly communicates the product’s power and precision. And without a single word, it tells a full story.
The minimal white background makes everything pop, keeping the focus exactly where it belongs: on the razor and its absurdly sharp capabilities.
It’s creative. It’s funny. It’s unforgettable. And it’s a perfect reminder that in outdoor advertising, **a bold visual can do all the heavy lifting**.
No wonder this one went viral.
8. BMW
There’s nothing quite like a billboard feud—and this one is legendary. On its own, the BMW ad might seem random. But once you spot Audi’s billboard across the street, it becomes a perfectly timed punchline in a visual chess match between two luxury brands.
Audi boldly issued the challenge. BMW’s response? Confident, clever, and just a bit savage.
This kind of real-world “banter” between competitors is rare and hard to execute logistically, but when it works, it works. Drivers notice. Passengers laugh. And the internet eats it up.
BMW’s billboard proves that timing, confidence, and smart creative can turn outdoor ads into viral pop culture moments. **It’s brand personality on full display—and it absolutely wins the round.**
9. Asia Air
Swear words are funny—but words that *sound* like swear words? Even better. Asia Air leans into this perfectly with a cheeky nod to the pronunciation of “Phuket,” using it as both a destination and a punchline.
The humor works because it’s unexpected yet harmless, and more importantly, it stays on message. Cheap fares + tropical beaches = “I should go.” The joke doesn’t distract—it enhances.
In a world filled with stress and serious headlines, humor in advertising creates a moment of levity. It builds goodwill, earns attention, and sticks in memory. And that’s exactly what this ad accomplishes.
Of course, humor isn’t a fit for every industry. But when it is, it can elevate a campaign from good to unforgettable. If you’re wondering whether your brand can pull off a little playfulness, talk to us. We’ll help you find the right tone—and maybe even the right joke.
10. Denver Water
This billboard says everything by saying almost nothing.
Denver Water’s long-running “Use Only What You Need” campaign takes the concept of conservation and flips it into visual irony. Instead of filling the board with graphics or text, they left most of the space blank—deliberately underusing the billboard itself to reinforce their message.
It’s smart. It’s simple. And it gets a laugh for being so unexpectedly restrained in a medium that usually screams for attention.
Even better, the campaign ran with multiple creative variations: a LEGO cloud at a bus stop, a knotted hose wrapped around a billboard pole, or barely-there messaging on massive structures. Each version found a clever new way to say less and mean more.
It’s proof that sometimes, the best outdoor humor comes from knowing exactly what not to say.
—
I think this billboard is hilarious. Facebook