Why Is Times Square the Ultimate "Destination Location" for OOH Advertising and How Do Brands Take Advantage?
June 5, 2025
Location is everything – especially when that location is Times Square. Known as the “Crossroads of the World,” it’s the ultimate destination for brands to connect with a valuable audience. This iconic landmark extends its reach beyond physical visitors through press media and social presence. Why is Times Square advertising so effective? And how are brands leveraging the awesome power of this extraordinary intersection? Let’s dive in!
Landmark Locations Create Landmark Moments.
As a pop culture “mega-destination,” Times Square ad campaigns offer an easy onramp to organic social media amplification, extending their reach beyond the physical location and into cultural conversations across the nation – and the globe.
Roughly two thirds of consumers say that out of home ads in iconic locations prompt them to act, with 65% motivated to engage further and 66% reporting that such placements boost brands’ credibility (SOURCE: The Harris Poll/OAAA). Charli XCX recently performed a pop-up concert in Times Square, elevating the “brat” meme to the world stage, her stardom and fandom further skyrocketing to a whole new level.
Times Square Creates Social Velocity.
Another brand transforming Times Square into a dynamic stage was Wells Fargo. The finance brand recently streamed a shoppable Dove Cameron concert in Times Square. By scanning the QR code, fans could shop Cameron’s personal collection in real time, with proceeds going to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). The concert was broadcast live on our Digital Beast and streamed on Cameron’s YouTube and Instagram.
From 3D displays to augmented reality technology, we have countless ways to turn Times Square ad campaigns into cultural events, gaining social traction and earned media attention alike. Our XScape tech guides brands into this new dimension (and onto your feed).
Konami Entertainment promoted its Silent Hill 2 PlayStation 5 game with 3D anamorphic visuals at The Cube at 2 Times Square, blending cinematic horror visuals and interactive AR moments to create a live teaser trailer, capturing tourists and gamers alike while reinforcing the franchise’s chilling brand identity. Engage your audience with unique AR filters and generate user content to create memorable campaigns and integrate into social platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat.
Awaken Campaigns with QRad Content Control Interactivity.
QR codes can extend the reach of a campaign across devices – especially when that code is powered by QRad, the exclusive content control capability from our XLabs team.
This Aruba Tourism campaign used QRad to take audiences through six “dream vacation” scenes, each showcasing a unique aspect of the island’s appeal. Designed for interactivity and engagement, this campaign captivated passersby while showcasing the beauty and experiences of Aruba.
Times Square Tower: The Last of Its Kind
The only remaining traditional static billboard spectacular in Times Square, our Times Square Tower offers unmatched brand exposure with 100% share of voice on nine faces spanning three quarters of a city block. Earlier this year, Jason Momoa and Jack Black visited the massive billboard featuring scenes from A Minecraft Movie, generating buzz on social media.
Following the Times Square campaign's immersive elements creating excitement and anticipation, and A Minecraft Movie opened to record-breaking box office success, grossing $163 million domestically and $313 million globally (SOURCE: Variety).
Times Square remains an unparalleled location for out-of-home advertising, offering brands the opportunity to create memorable and impactful campaigns. By using its iconic status to amplify creative fueled by innovative technology, advertisers ensure that campaigns not only capture attention but also drive engagement and action. Between the surprise performances, interactive augmented reality experiences, or choose-your-own-adventure QR codes, it’s no wonder that Times Square continues to be the ultimate destination for brands looking to make a lasting impression.
Let’s talk Times Square. Contact OUTFRONT today.
Author: Eileen Tam, Senior Marketing Manager @ OUTFRONT
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