Brand Recall

83% of People Recall OOH Ads – Here’s Why That Matters for Your Brand

In Kenya’s Advertising landscape, brands are constantly fighting for the attention . Good news for marketing managers is that 83% of consumers remember an Out-of-Home (OOH) ad they saw within the past 30 minutes?

This means that billboards, digital screens, and transit ads are some of the most effective ways to make your brand unforgettable—especially in high-traffic areas like Nairobi CBD, Westlands, and Thika Road.

Let’s explore why OOH advertising has such high recall rates and how your brand can use it to dominate the Kenyan market.


Why OOH Ads Have High Recall Rates

1. Billboards are Unskippable and Always in View

Unlike digital ads that can be blocked or skipped, OOH ads demand attention. Whether it’s a massive billboard on Mombasa Road or an LED screen at Two Rivers Mall, consumers can’t ignore them.

  • Example: A Netflix billboard in Westlands keeps reminding Kenyans of new shows, even if they don’t click on digital ads.
  • Example: A Safaricom LED screen at JKIA makes travelers associate the brand with innovation.

🔗 Learn how OOH ads capture consumer attention

2. Repeated Exposure Improves Brand Retention

People trust and remember what they see frequently. A billboard on Ngong Road that a commuter sees daily is more memorable than a Facebook ad that disappears in seconds.

  • Example: Naivas’ outdoor ads along Waiyaki Way reinforce their brand as Kenya’s go-to supermarket.
  • Example: A matatu wrap advertising Fanta keeps the brand top-of-mind for thirsty passengers.

3. OOH Ads Create a Stronger Emotional Connection

According to Neuroscience research, large, bold visuals trigger emotional responses, making OOH ads more impactful than digital ones.

  • Example: A Nike billboard with Eliud Kipchoge’s face inspires Kenyans to buy sportswear.
  • Example: An Equity Bank ad on Kenyatta Avenue reminds entrepreneurs that success is possible.

🔗 Discover how billboard advertising influences emotions


Where to Place Your OOH Ads for Maximum Impact in Kenya

🔹 Highway Billboards – Great for capturing long-distance travelers.

  • Best Locations: Thika Road, Mombasa Road, Lang’ata Road.

🔹 CBD Digital Screens – Perfect for engaging busy city dwellers.

  • Best Locations: Kenyatta Avenue, Moi Avenue, Westlands Roundabout.

🔹 Mall & Supermarket Ads – Ideal for influencing purchasing decisions.

  • Best Locations: Sarit Centre, The Hub Karen, Carrefour branches.

🔹 Matatu & Bus Branding – Moves across different locations for wider reach.

  • Best Examples: Citi Hoppa, Super Metro, Embassava Saccos.

🔗 Find the best OOH advertising locations in Kenya


Final Thoughts: Why 83% Recall Rate Matters for Your Brand

When 83% of people remember the last OOH ad they saw, it proves that billboards, digital screens, and transit ads are still king.

🚀 Want to make your brand unforgettable? Let’s create a winning OOH strategy today! www.livead.co.ke/booking

Live Ad kenya's best out of home advertising solutions provider

Top 5 Outdoor Advertising Mistakes to Avoid in Kenya

Outdoor advertising is a powerful tool for businesses in Kenya, offering a unique way to reach a diverse audience. However, executing a successful outdoor advertising campaign requires careful planning and execution. Many companies fall into common pitfalls that can undermine their efforts. Here are the top five outdoor advertising mistakes to avoid in Kenya to ensure your campaigns are effective and impactful.

1. Ignoring the Target Audience

One of the biggest mistakes businesses make in outdoor advertising is failing to understand their target audience. In Kenya’s multicultural society, it’s essential to recognize the diverse preferences and behaviors of different demographics. For instance, a campaign aimed at young professionals in Nairobi may not resonate with rural audiences.

To avoid this mistake, conduct thorough market research to identify your audience’s characteristics, preferences, and behaviors. Tailoring your message and design to align with their interests will enhance engagement and effectiveness. Partnering with experts like Live Ad can help you gain valuable insights into the local market, ensuring your campaigns resonate with the right audience.

2. Overloading the Ad with Information

Outdoor ads are often viewed in passing, making it crucial to keep messages simple and concise. One common mistake is overloading the ad with too much text or complex imagery. In Kenya, where fast-paced urban life prevails, consumers may only have a few seconds to absorb your message.

To create effective outdoor ads, focus on a clear, concise message that communicates your key point quickly. Use bold fonts and striking visuals to draw attention, and ensure your call to action is straightforward. With Live Ad, businesses can design ads that strike the right balance between information and visual appeal, enhancing their impact.

3. Neglecting Location and Placement

The success of outdoor advertising heavily relies on strategic placement. One of the most significant mistakes is choosing poor locations that fail to reach the intended audience. In Kenya, high-traffic areas in urban centers like Nairobi and Mombasa are ideal for billboard placements, while rural areas may require different approaches.

Before launching a campaign, evaluate the best locations for maximum visibility. Consider factors such as foot traffic, demographics, and proximity to relevant businesses or events. Live Ad specializes in identifying prime advertising locations, ensuring your brand captures the attention of the right audience.

4. Failing to Measure Success

Another mistake businesses often make is neglecting to measure the effectiveness of their outdoor advertising campaigns. Without data and metrics, it’s challenging to determine what works and what doesn’t. This oversight can lead to wasted resources and missed opportunities for improvement.

To avoid this mistake, implement tracking methods to gauge your campaign’s success. Monitor metrics such as foot traffic, website visits, and customer feedback to evaluate the impact of your outdoor ads. Working with Live Ad can help you establish effective measurement strategies, allowing you to make data-driven decisions for future campaigns.

5. Underestimating the Importance of Creativity

Creativity plays a pivotal role in outdoor advertising. Failing to think outside the box can result in forgettable ads that blend into the background. In a vibrant market like Kenya, where consumers are exposed to countless ads daily, standing out is crucial for success.

Investing time and resources into creative concepts can significantly enhance your outdoor advertising’s effectiveness. Incorporate unique visuals, catchy slogans, or even humor to capture attention. With the expertise of Live Ad, businesses can develop innovative advertising solutions that break through the clutter and leave a lasting impression on consumers.

Conclusion

Outdoor advertising offers immense potential for businesses in Kenya, but avoiding common pitfalls is essential for success. By understanding your target audience, keeping messages simple, choosing strategic placements, measuring effectiveness, and embracing creativity, you can create impactful outdoor campaigns that resonate with consumers.

Partnering with Live Ad, the leading provider of outdoor advertising and billboard solutions in Kenya, ensures your campaigns are well-executed and optimized for maximum impact. With their expertise, you can navigate the challenges of outdoor advertising and achieve remarkable results in Kenya’s competitive marketplace.

Avoiding these common mistakes will help your business make the most of outdoor advertising opportunities, ultimately enhancing brand visibility and driving growth.

Tourism

Why Outdoor Ads Are Key to Tourism in Kenya

Tourism is one of Kenya’s biggest industries, drawing in visitors from all over the world. Whether it’s the stunning savannahs of the Maasai Mara or the white sandy beaches of Diani, Kenya has much to offer. To tap into this growing industry, businesses need to make sure they are seen by both local and international tourists. This is where outdoor ads play a key role.

1. Outdoor Ads: Guiding Tourists

In many tourist-heavy areas, outdoor ads serve as guides, helping visitors find hotels, restaurants, safari tours, and other key services. Tourists often rely on outdoor ads like billboards to learn about local offers, events, or places of interest. Billboards placed along main highways or near airports are some of the first things tourists see when they arrive, making them a great way to catch attention.

For businesses looking to reach tourists, Live Ad offers expert outdoor ad services that ensure your brand gets noticed in prime locations across Kenya. With years of experience in billboard and outdoor ad placement, Live Ad knows how to target key spots that will have the biggest impact.

2. Supporting the Local Economy

Tourism brings in a lot of money to Kenya’s economy, and outdoor advertising helps boost this. Hotels, restaurants, safari companies, and even local shops use outdoor ads to bring in tourists. By guiding visitors to local services and attractions, outdoor ads help keep money in the local economy and support small businesses.

With Live Ad, businesses can create high-quality, eye-catching billboards that draw in tourists and keep them spending in Kenya.

3. Outdoor Ads Reach a Broad Audience

One of the biggest advantages of outdoor ads is that they reach everyone. Whether tourists are walking through Nairobi, driving to the Maasai Mara, or heading to the coast, billboards are always in sight. Unlike online ads, which may miss older or less tech-savvy travelers, outdoor ads reach a broad range of people.

Outdoor ads also stay visible all day and night, giving your business ongoing exposure to both tourists and locals. This is why Live Ad remains a top choice for outdoor advertising in Kenya—they ensure your ads reach a wide audience for maximum impact.

4. A Long-Lasting Investment

For businesses in the tourism industry, investing in outdoor ads can pay off in the long run. Billboards placed near airports, along highways, or at popular tourist spots can stay in place for weeks or even months. This means that as more tourists come and go, your ad continues to be seen by new eyes.

By working with Live Ad, businesses can make sure their outdoor ads are placed in the best locations to capture both first-time visitors and repeat travelers.

Conclusion

Outdoor advertising is a crucial tool for businesses in Kenya’s tourism industry. Whether it’s guiding tourists to local services or boosting the local economy, billboards and other outdoor ads play a big role. By partnering with Live Ad, the leading provider of outdoor ads in Kenya, businesses can ensure their brand is seen by the right people at the right time.

In a country with as much to offer as Kenya, outdoor ads are the key to standing out and attracting the attention of both local and international tourists.