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New York City. A skyline you can spot from a single frame. It’s loud, iconic, and endlessly cinematic. The kind of place that naturally commands attention. Which makes it the perfect backdrop for one of the most exciting formats in digital marketing: Fake out-of-home (FOOH) ads.
FOOH ads mix CGI with real-world footage to create scenes that feel so real, you can’t help but do a double take. These ads, when executed well, rack up millions of views, garner organic attention, and leave lasting brand recall, all done using just short-form content on the internet.
And no city does snappy quite like NYC. From Times Square to the skyline to the top of the Empire State Building, this city turns simple ideas into full-scale experiences that stop people mid-doomscroll.
In this article, we’re spotlighting some of the best FOOH ads that took over the Big Apple. We’ll show you how they made it work, and what to consider if you’re looking to bring your next viral FOOH ad to the city that never sleeps.
7 Must See FOOH Campaigns from the Big Apple
Here are 7 standout FOOH campaigns that tapped into the Big Apple's unique and distinct culture. We’ve carefully selected each one based on its creative execution, viral reach, and media impact.
These examples show how brands can use fake out of home to make bold, unforgettable statements in one of the world’s most iconic cities.
1. Fenty
New York City is home to some of the most legendary fashion houses in the world. It’s a city defined by avant-garde spirit—where boldness is the baseline and creativity isn’t optional, it’s expected. This Fenty Beauty FOOH ad taps directly into that energy, transforming an ordinary storefront into a CGI-driven event.
Filmed at Sephora in Catch NYC, the video shows a giant roller coaster slide bursting through the store, sending Fenty must-haves flying down it. It's a playful, high-energy reimagining of the in-store experience that takes the excitement of discovering a new favorite product into what it literally feels like: an actual joyride.
With 6.7 million views and over 270,000 likes on Instagram, the campaign nails the balance between fun and fantasy, proving once again that in a city like New York, the boldest ideas always win big.
Want more ads set against iconic backdrops? See how brands are getting creative with FOOH ads in Rome.
2. Victoria's Secret
This next Victoria’s Secret FOOH ad racked up 2 million views and 99k likes, and it’s easy to see why. The video opens with an oversized luggage trolley rolling through the busy streets of New York, stacked high with packages and boxes that capture the chaos and thrill of Black Friday shopping.
As the trolley halts in the middle of the street, the boxes tumble out, revealing a gift set packed with Victoria’s Secret body and perfume products. It’s a fun and unexpected way to spotlight the brand’s limited-time sale, using CGI to turn a familiar retail moment into something bigger, bolder, and instantly shareable.
3. Elizabeth Arden
Another beauty ad that fits right into New York’s reputation as a global capital of fashion and beauty, this campaign from Elizabeth Arden brings a touch of glamour to the everyday street. With 16k likes, the video features a giant golden container of the brand’s Ceramide Capsules rolling through a busy NYC avenue like a luxe wheel in motion.
As it glides past, a massive banner of a woman holding the same product is shown from a nearby building, gently swaying in the air. It’s a simple yet striking use of CGI that transforms the streetscape into a moving beauty statement, spotlighting Elizabeth Arden’s iconic skincare line in a bold, elegant way.
4. Pandora
Another FOOH ad celebrating a brand milestone, this one from Pandora turns a busy NYC street into something softer and sweeter. A deflated pink crown-shaped hot air balloon slowly rises into the sky, just as two massive banners drop from nearby buildings. One reads “THANK YOU” and the other “WE ❤️ YOU.”
The visual is simple, but the gesture feels big. With over 5.1 million views and 125,000 likes, the FOOH ad marks Pandora’s 10 million follower milestone in a way that feels personal and exciting. This FOOH also doubled as a promo for a limited-edition balloon charm giveaway, a thank-you gift for their fans.
5. Zara
With over 7.5 million views and 146k likes, this Zara FOOH ad turns the New York City skyline into a full-blown fashion factory. Skyscrapers become cranes, lifting oversized boots and bags into place, while coats hang from beams and conveyor belts move products across rooftops.
It’s a bold way to claim space, not just in the city, but in the culture. The ad doesn’t just show Zara in New York, it makes the case that Zara moves New York.
Read how another fashion giant took over the streets of Paris with these FOOH campaigns.
6. Ghirardelli
Next on our list, this Ghirardelli FOOH ad racked up 121k views and over 6k likes by turning the Empire State Building into a giant sundae. Thick chocolate syrup drips down its sides while oversized cherries fall from the sky, landing one by one.
It’s playful, unexpected, and perfectly at home in a city where nearly 65 million visitors saw its skyline last year. You don’t normally see dessert on a skyscraper, but that surprising twist is clearly what made the FOOH ad memorable, shareable, and fun to watch.
7. Rabanne
This last FOOH ad from Rabanne puts a bold spin on fragrance advertising, with 539k views and 1.9k likes. Set against a sweeping aerial shot of New York City, the video zooms in on the iconic Flatiron Building, where a billboard wrapped in golden chains showcases the brand’s Million Gold fragrance.
Suddenly, the bottle unhooks itself, and the glittering chains burst outward, filling the screen. It’s a creative use of CGI advertising that turns a static ad space into something bold and unexpected, giving Rabanne a moment that stands out in the city’s crowded visual landscape. And it clearly worked.
Conclusion
New York City offers more than just a background for your FOOH, it gives your campaign instant cultural impact. With its globally recognized skyline, varied mix of industries, and constant influx of locals and tourists, NYC is uniquely positioned to help brands cut through the noise using this advertising format.
FOOH ads here don’t just reach people in the city, they travel far beyond the five boroughs and reach global audiences. Whether it’s fashion, tech, or lifestyle, the city’s diversity gives brands the flexibility to experiment with tone, visuals, and storytelling, all while maximizing reach and minimizing production overhead.
This place is built on ambition and reinvention. And for brands ready to push creative boundaries and experiment beyond the expected, New York offers the momentum to do just that, and the audience to make it matter.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, check out these 12 must-know insights about FOOH and OOH in 2025. They'll help keep your campaigns fresh, strategic, and ready for what’s next.
