The Science Behind the Art of Outdoor

Neuroscience research into the true impact of Out of Home Advertising


Heather Andrews from Neuro-Insight explains the findings

Traditional research methods are based on rational responses, the very nature of a question leads to consideration which is a left brain function.

Ocean’s super premium, iconic locations have always found their way onto a media schedule based on gut feel and experience around the subliminal impact of these iconic structures, The Art of Outdoor. Ocean’s Neuroscience project has helped to put genuine and recognised scientific practice in order to prove the subliminal and emotional value of Super premium out of home to a brand. This was achieved through a unique neuroscience study which examined the right side of the brain, the part of the brain where the global brand picture is built and stored.

Neuroscience identifies the Wow factor at the heart of great outdoor

A theoretical model, grounded in neuroscience, says that to get results, outdoor advertising needs to capture our attention and then engage our emotions. A strong emotional response drives memory encoding, and this is key for any communication, because memory encoding correlates with subsequent purchase behaviour.

Learnings

Location, location, location

Premium outdoor sites deliver on length of visibility as well as size and scale. Audiences have a longer opportunity to engage with creative.

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Why digital?

Digital sites cut through because our brains are programmed to respond to changes in our environment. When sites go digital, great becomes even greater.

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Energise your creative

Even with the same creative executions, premium sites perform better. Spectacular sites energise the impact of the creative.

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Media planning, AB Audience

Spectacular sites generate strong emotions for hard to reach audiences. Triggering an emotional response is key to the advertising process.

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Media planning, Priming Effect

The most iconic sites have a powerful priming effect on other sites. The best sites continue to have an impact beyond initial viewing.

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What we found...
...and what it tells us

Premium outdoor sites generate stronger emotions and are better encoded into memory

The best outdoor sites deliver a win:win – audiences enjoy them more, and advertisers get better results


The most spectacular sites impact the right brain in particular; demonstrating overall emotional impact

Iconic sites work because of the emotional impact they make… the Wow factor


Digital sites cut through because our brains are programmed to respond to changes in our environment

When sites go digital, great becomes even greater


Even with the same creative executions, premium sites perform better

Spectacular sites energise the impact of the creative


The most iconic sites have a powerful priming effect on other sites

The best sites continue to have an impact beyond initial viewing

Conclusion

The study not only validated the initial model, showing how the Wow factor is critical to the success of iconic outdoor sites, but went beyond it by demonstrating a priming effect that extends beyond initial viewing, creating a positive halo effect across a wider outdoor campaign.

Ocean locations have an emotional index of 150 versus standard large format locations, whereas Ocean’s more unique architectural locations have an elevated index of 168.


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