Ancient Times
The first ever record of an ad was during the 3000 BC in Ancient Egypt, The Papyrus of Slave Shem. A fabric called Hapu, a fabric merchant wrote an ad on papyrus and offered a reward to anyone who could find Shem (his slave) who ran away. While specific details about Hapu and Shem beyond this advertisement are unknown, this piece of history highlights how the practice of advertising has ancient roots, serving purposes similar to those it serves today, such as locating missing individuals and offering rewards for assistance.
Roman Times
An advertising signboard of the Roman wineshop in Herculaneum promotes different types of wine and prices. “Ad Cucumas,” meaning “to the vessels,” is the name of the tavern or wineshop. This represented the commercial practices of ancient Rome which was advertising through signage to attract customers. Such discoveries provide valuable insights into the marketing and trade practices of ancient civilizations, showing how advertising has long been a part of human society, evolving over millennia into the complex industry we know today.
Middle Ages
In medieval Europe, Town Criers was an officer appointed by public authorities to verbally announcing news and advertisements Town criers are usually an officer of the royal court or a public authority. They also announced advertisements for local businesses, events, and goods for sale, making them an early form of out-of-home (OOH) advertising.
19th Century
The first billboard was ever in the U.S appeared in 1835 by Jared Bell to advertise the Barnum & Bailey Circus that was over 50 square feet, marking the beginning of billboard advertising in America.
20th Century
During the World War 1, the iconic poster of Uncle Sam pointing his finger at the viewer with ‘ I want YOU for U.S. Army. Over 4 million copies were printed between 1917 & 1918. Its impact transcended its original purpose, becoming a cultural icon that symbolizes American patriotism and wartime propaganda.
Out of Home began a diverse range of OOH mediums include bus shelters, transits, airports, kiosks, mall displays and more. This expansion allowed advertisers to reach audiences in more targeted and varied locations, leveraging different types of infrastructure and public spaces for their campaigns. Each medium offered unique advantages in terms of audience demographics, visibility, and engagement, contributing to the growth and effectiveness of Out of Home advertising throughout the century and into the present day.
21st Century
Digital billboards emerged in the 21st century, offering dynamic and interactive digital advertisements that diverged from static content. This format also provides greater flexibility in seamlessly integrating Out of Home (OOH) advertising into multi-channel campaigns, including social media.
Our Jalan Tun Razak digital screen in Kuala Lumpur that was launched in 2022.
