Ads That Actually Add Something to the Public Realm

Billboards deployed by IBM in France actually make themselves useful as they invade public spaces, and seek to inspire ideas for improving cities.

1 minute read

June 9, 2013, 5:00 AM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


"Technology company IBM has launched a series of outdoor ads that also function as useful surfaces you can sit on, take cover under or pull your bag or push your stroller over instead of carrying it over steps," writes Leah Gonzalez. Developed with Ogilvy & Mather France, as part of IBM's People For Smarter Cities project, [t]he project aims to encourage ‘smarter thinking’ when it comes to coming up with solutions for the city," says Gonzalez.

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