---
title: "A few advertising* observations: the unconventional, a trend and poor execution"
author: "Stan Voo"
url: https://www.99rabbits.com/blog/a-few-advertising-observations
published: 2011-04-28
summary: "Three things I photographed on the streets of Odesa: a clever use of manhole covers, a brewer catching a consumer trend, and a sign that was really an ad for its painters."
---

# A few advertising\* observations: the unconventional, a trend and poor execution

\*Observations about advertising, that is ;)

**Observation no. 1.** The Odesa optician's chain Tochka Zreniya ("Point of View") makes great use of ordinary city sewer manholes to advertise its shops. I don't know, maybe this is old news, but their method really stuck with me:

*(Image lost: a sewer manhole used to advertise the Tochka Zreniya optician's.)*

**Observation no. 2.** At Obolon, the Ukrainian brewer, or whoever makes that beer, they've grasped one recent consumer trend. **Shoppers look for food with the shortest shelf life**, assuming it's less stuffed with preservatives.

*(Image lost: the Obolon billboard.)*

Having figured this out, Obolon wrote on a billboard: "Shelf life cut threefold". It's not clear, though, whether the brewing technology changed or it's just a marketing ploy.

**Observation no. 3.** A clothing shop (factory-made Turkish clothes, by the way!) on Torhova Street in Odesa decided to save on a sign and be original at the same time. Here's what came of it:

*(Image lost: two photos of the shop's graffiti sign.)*

The guys who painted it most likely did it for the sake of that line in the corner: "Graffiti design: 067 xx xx xxx". That is, for free. The shop owner got a sign, and they got an ad. Isn't that [fusion marketing](http://www.gmarketing.com/articles/62-fusion-marketing)?

**An observation about observations.** As I've written before, [to become a professional, you need to learn from others](https://www.99rabbits.com/blog/how-to-become-a-professional). These are no Cannes Lions, of course, but maybe these observations will nudge you toward something original and profitable for your business.