We know advertisers are always trying to get inside your head, but what if they could broadcast an ad inside your skull? It sounds crazy, but that’s what a new ad technique does just that… Lean your head against a window, and you’ll hear an ad that seems to be coming from inside your head!
The ad is for SkyGo, and the technique is bone conduction. Inaudible vibrations in the glass can be converted into sounds inside one’s ear, producing the “inside the head” effect.
An article in The Telegraph reports,
Sky Deutschland and ad agency BBDO Germany states: “Tired commuters often rest their heads against windows. Suddenly a voice inside their head is talking to them. No one else can hear this message.” The voice comes from a Sky-branded transmitter made by Audiva that is attached to the train window.
Here’s a video with more:
What do you think of this concept? Creepy? Impractical? How else could the technique be used? Leave a comment with your thoughts…
very true, some advertisements are so addictive that we think of them most of the tyms! But this concept sound very diffrent but at the same tym impractical!
Just because advertisers have the ability to broadcast via certain mediums doesn’t mean they should; either from an ROI perspective, or from the fact that the medium is sure to enrage their audience. The last thing I’d want to hear after a long day at work, and finally finding an open seat on a packed commute home, is a looped ad for some product when all I want to do is rest my head and catch some sleep. Caveat venditor.
I agree, Andrew. Right now, this is more of a viral PR stunt than a serious ad. But, what if there was a soothing music channel with occasional unobtrusive ads? One might see everyone with their head pressed against a window…
I’m not sure there is such a thing as an unobtrusive ad, despite protestations form the industry. Subscription based services with no ads will continue to make gains with the most desirable demographic – those who can afford them.
This sounds like a very unique idea, but I do not believe that anyone would welcome ads playing in their heads just because they leaned up against a window. Thanks for sharing this.
It really doesn’t matter what we think about whether it is obtrusive or creepy…it will work and advertisers will do it. It might work especially well for travel pillows and sleep aides.
Ha… there’s an idea, Laura. Free travel pillow if you listen to an occasional ad! Not unlike the way most people consume Pandora, really.
As much as we would not want this to happen, it most likely will. The advertisers are loosing their current fields, such as Apple discussing an ad-free tv. The advertising companies are going to find new ways such as this.
It is a pretty unusual concept. It is a little creepy as well. If I leaned my head against the glass and the voice told me I need to buy something I would think this is hallucination and I just need some rest. It is an innovative marketing idea, but I don’t think it would work on me.