How Programmatic Advertising is Changing the Game!

Metro Marketing Magic: Why Brands Are Lining Upto Advertise with Kochi Metro

In a bustling city like Kochi, a new player is stealing the spotlight in the world of advertising: the Kochi Metro. Over the years, Kochi Metro has grown beyond being a reliable mode of transport and into a dynamic branding platform. It is visible, trusted, and deeply tied to the lives of millions inhabiting the city. Businesses from across the state are competing with each other over the many marketing avenues that Kochi Metro has opened. But what is so special about advertising with Kochi Metro?Why are businesses in a hurry to get their brand names displayed across the metro network? Once we understand the scale of things involved with Kerala’s only metro, answers to these questions and more become obvious. Let’s take a closer look at Kochi Metro and the modern out-of-home (OOH) advertising opportunities that it presents. Imagining Kochi Metro as a Brand Ambassador In advertising, it is not just about the quality of the product or service you offer – it is also about where people discover you, and whom your brand is seen alongside. These factors play a big role in shaping public perception. Companies often rope in famous personalities to serve as the face of their brands. This helps the public develop a sense of familiarity – and even trust – because the brand is represented by someone they already know and hold in high regard. People may not know much about the brand itself, but they know the celebrity, and in time, they start to associate the personality and values of one with the other. Kerala’s Favourite Public Transport Since it was the first metro rail network in Kerala, Kochi Metro was welcomed with open arms. The Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) operates Kochi Metro, Kochi Water Metro and a fleet of feeder buses and has been a godsend for the city’s public transportation system. Ridership keeps growing, new route extensions are underway, and the project continues to expand with visible momentum. Beyond its practical benefits, Kochi Metro has also built a vibrant online presence. Its social media content – especially on Instagram and Facebook – cleverly taps into popular memes, trending topics, and relatable humour. There is a personality to the firm that people engage with and enjoy It would be hard to find someone who isn’t appreciative of the positive changes the Metro has brought to Kochi and its surrounding areas. Safe to say, it enjoys a widely positive public image – something which brands can benefit from. What Makes Kochi Metro a Safe Bet As Kochi Metro began exploring new revenue streams through advertising, established out-of-home (OOH) agencies like Zero Degree stepped in with fresh ideas. Now, when your brand’s name appears on metro pillars, medians, or inside the stations, it is more than just exposure – people start associating your brand with Kochi Metro.Businesses have realized this opportunity and are competing to paint the Metro in their colours.Here is why Kochi Metro is such a powerful partner: Stable and consistent – Unlike individual celebrities, Kochi Metro follows defined regulations and public conduct Symbol of progress – It represents development, efficiency, and public welfare in Kerala Trusted and loved – Thousands rely on it every day, making it a well-respected presence in people’s lives Highly visible – Ads on the Metro grabs the attention of thousands of commuters everyday Built-in credibility – Associating with Kochi Metro signals reliability and civic relevance to the public You surely have the option to spend big on associating with a celebrity – you could ride on the wave of popularity and warmth they bring in – but one mishap by them in front of the public and you are running to your lawyers to cut ties with them. Kochi Metro does not carry that kind of baggage and in a world where perception can shift overnight, that kind of safety net is priceless. Branding Opportunities at Kochi Metro You could run an ad for your business at the movies, inside a grocery store, or put up a billboard next to that busy junction everyone hates but none of it quite compares to advertising at Kochi Metro. The ad spaces available through Zero Degree span the full stretch of the metro network. They grab the attention of not just the metro commuters but also people using the roads running parallel to the tracks. With exclusive rights to advertise on metro pillars, medians, portals, and station premises, Zero Degree makes it easy for businesses to associate with Kochi Metro. Through a single agency, one can achieve maximum visibility across the metro. Metro Pillar Branding – Repetition Builds Recall! Rising above the city traffic, the many pillars of Kochi Metro are literally carrying the network on its shoulders. Around 1080 metro pillars have been leased to Zero Degree, one of South India’s largest out-of-home (OOH) advertising agencies. These pillars are now available for businesses looking to claim space in the urban visual landscape. Branding on Kochi metro pillars is a powerful way to reach road commuters. With pillars spaced roughly 15 to 20 meters apart, advertisers can use repetition to register their brand in people’s memory. A series of related visuals can spark curiosity, prompting onlookers to look out for what appears on the next pillar. Metro Station Branding – Right Place, Right Time, Right Audience Between clearing the turnstile and boarding the metro train, a commuter typically spends at least five minutes at a station. People wait and look around patiently. The well-maintained infrastructure and a relative calm – compared to the rush outside – makes them more receptive to their surroundings. This creates an ideal setting for brands to communicate directly with an attentive audience. Zero Degree’s strategically placed billboards and ad panels at entry points, near ticket counters, escalators and waiting areas offer high-impact solutions for businesses looking to advertise at Kochi Metro stations. With steady footfall and repeat exposure, Kochi Metro station branding ensures your message consistently lands in front of the right eyes, again and again. Metro Station Semi Naming Rights If you have walked past the Palarivattom metro station recently, you might have noticed something new – it is now Palarivattom Eastea, wrapped in the calming blues of the popular tea brand. Through Zero Degree, businesses now have the opportunity to acquire semi naming rights to metro stations in Kochi. Benefits of Metro Station Naming Rights: Add your brand name as a suffix to an existing station Wrap the station in your brand’s colours and themes Capture the attention of both metro riders and road commuters It’s the closest you can get your brand to Kochi Metro Build a long-term, location-based brand association in people’s minds KMRL has been leasing more and more stations to the metro station branding agency, Zero Degree. As a result, the most impactful OOH advertising in Kochi is now happening at the very places where people begin and end their journeys each day. Let Your Brand Ride With Kochi Metro In a world where brands are constantly trying to stand out, Kochi Metro offers not just visibility – but credibility. It’s not a celebrity with a volatile public image. It’s a public institution that is respected, consistent, and key to everyday life in a major city. With Zero Degree by your side, your business can become a part of the city’s rhythm, woven into the daily journeys of thousands. The tracks are laid. Kochi is watching.Where will your brand go next? FAQs What are the benefits of advertising with Kochi Metro? Kochi Metro offers high visibility and repeated exposure to a captive audience. Unlike othermodes of advertisement, your brand becomes part of the city's landscape and daily commuterexperience. What are the advertising options available through Kochi Metro? Through Zero Degree OOH, you can advertise on Kochi Metro’s 1000+ metro pillars, inside thestations and more. You can also obtain semi naming rights for Kochi Metro stations throughZero Degree. There are also options to wrap the metro coaches with your brand’sadvertisements. Who manages the advertising rights for Kochi Metro? Zero Degree, a leading out-of-home (OOH) agency in South India, holds exclusive rights foradvertising on Kochi Metro's pillars, medians, portals, and station premises. What is metro pillar branding? Kochi Metro’s pillars are spaced every 15 to 20 meters, allowing businesses to create asequence of visuals along a commuter’s journey. This repetition helps reinforce brand memoryeffectively. What are metro station semi naming rights? Semi naming rights allow your brand name to be added to a metro station (e.g., "PalarivattomEastea") along with branding the station environment in your colors. It establishes strong localassociation and high long-term visibility. How can I start advertising on Kochi Metro? You can contact Zero Degree, the authorized agency, to learn about all the available advertisingoptions at Kochi Metro with its detailed pricing.

May 16, 2025

Can India Catch Up? The Untapped Potential of 3D DOOH in Indian Cities

You are on your way to work and the train is late, again! The morning rush is in full swing and you somehow elbow your way out of the train station. The crowd around you is flowing like a river and everyone is in a hurry to get somewhere. Your mind is calculating how many seconds you have left before your boss calls you asking where you are. And then - Meeeooow. It’s soft at first, but unmistakable. You turn, half-distracted, expecting a stray cat. But what you see next short-circuits your sense of logic. You forget about your job, your boss and everything else because there is a gigantic cat on the side of a tall building! Not a poster, not a cartoon - a giant, hyper-realistic, breathing, blinking cat, chilling in a digital box like it owns the space. It turns its head. Its fur catches the light. Its tail flicks lazily over the edge of the building like gravity doesn’t matter. People stop. They stare. Phones go up. Time freezes. Your brain is smart enough to remind you that it is some kind of a digital display but it can't figure out why the cat is sticking out of the building... Why is it 3-dimensional! 3D Billboards: The Game Changer in OOH Advertising What we just mentioned would be an instance of you coming across a 3D Anamorphic Billboard. It might feel like a thing of the future except it isn’t. 3D billboards that integrate 3D technology, known as anamorphosis or forced perspective to achieve a realistic effect, are already grabbing the attention of millions across major cities of the world such as Tokyo, New York and London. Some have even popped up in Indian cities like Mumbai and Kochi. You might have come across viral videos of the same on the internet. Anamorphic illusion technology makes what’s otherwise flat 2D visuals appear as if they are popping out of the screen or floating in the air, giving viewers a fun and memorable experience. Creating the illusion requires a mix of creative design, advanced technology, and careful calculations to make sure it looks perfect from the right viewing angle. This has easily become a game changer in the Digital Out of Home (DOOH) advertising industry. The novelty of large 3D billboards coupled with a curiosity about the technologies behind them makes viewers spend more time fixated on the advertisement than they would otherwise spend in front of an LED wall. The Many Advantages of 3D Billboards These 3D anamorphic displays are not just mere head-turners, the prospects they unfold often include: High Engagement : People don’t just stare at these mega displays, they capture it on their smartphones, share it on social media, and naturally become a topic of conversation. Media Coverage : Unique 3D campaigns don’t just stay as a topic of conversation between a few, they often end up as talk of the town, which then gets picked up by mainstream media who catapults it even further. Enhanced Brand Recall : Brands that feature on these innovative media often get a lasting impression on the minds of people - it is not just a random brand on a random display. Premium Perception : The rarity of 3D billboards naturally shapes a perception in the minds of onlookers that the brands featuring on it must be premium. Unlocking New Type of Creatives : Brands get the opportunity to incorporate the 3rd dimension of space to tell their story. This opens a wide range of possibilities for content that can’t be done with regular formats. The India Story of 3D DOOH Ads While Asian countries like Japan, South Korea and China were the first to embrace this form of Out-Of-Home (OOH) advertisement in its full glory, 3D anamorphic billboards have eventually found their way to Indian cities as well. This kind of advertising might seem as quite fitting for a market like India where there are numerous cities bustling with scores of people. But it is to be noted that there are also certain factors that deter the widescale adaptation of the same in India. 3D DOOH is Expensive Traditional billboards with printed visuals and digital billboards featuring thousands of LED modules pale in comparison to 3D anamorphic billboards. They rely on: Ultra-high-definition LED screens, often curved to enhance depth perception Powerful content engines to render 3D animations Specialized 3D content production (planning, design, animation, mathematical calculations, etc.) This level of complexity makes 3D anamorphic ads so expensive that even prospective clients might doubt the ROI. Limited Viewability A fundamental limitation of anamorphic 3D displays is that they rely heavily on perspective. The illusion works only when viewed from a very specific angle. This makes placement absolutely critical. Now, while cities like New York, Tokyo, or Seoul offer the perfect setup - tall buildings, wide intersections, and heavy pedestrian traffic - most Indian cities present a very different urban landscape. The streets can be narrow, uneven, or overly congested with vehicles rather than walkable pedestrian spaces. To make the most impact, a 3D billboard ideally needs to be mounted high on a building and positioned at just the right spot where a large number of people can view it from the optimal angle. That kind of setup is tough to find in most Indian cities. As a result, limited viewability becomes a major barrier to wide-scale adoption. While the financial and physical aspects of setting up 3D billboards are major challenges for India’s OOH advertising industry, there are a few other hurdles as well. Some of these include: High Maintenance Needs Climate & Environmental Conditions Permits and Licensing Challenges Does this mean that you won’t be seeing a gigantic 3D cat on a building anytime soon? Not at all! In fact, there are plenty of factors that put India on the path to becoming one of the largest markets for 3D anamorphic advertising technology. The Impending 3D DOOH Boom in Indian Cities A fact no one needs reminding of is that India is the world’s most populous country. There are more people to sell to here than anywhere else in the world - and the purchasing power of its citizens is growing rapidly. More Eyes Than Anywhere Else Anamorphic technology-backed DOOH billboards are designed to target large gatherings of people at once—and large crowds are the norm in Indian cities. Yes, the cities themselves struggle with not being particularly pedestrian-friendly. However, this is a well-recognized issue, and recent urban planning efforts have begun addressing it. Many Indian cities are undergoing smart city transformations and this creates opportunities for integrating digital billboards into new urban spaces such as metro stations. Creative Talent Pool at Home It’s fair to say that Indians are generally tech-savvy, with a large talent pool of skilled professionals in sectors like VFX, design, and AR/VR. Several large media firms already serve clients across the globe, which means content for 3D billboards can be produced locally. This has the potential to significantly reduce production costs. A Market Ready for Disruption Indian brands are increasingly seeking media that breaks the norm and helps them stand out. With its high-impact visuals and immersive appeal, 3D DOOH offers the kind of ‘wow’ factor that’s perfect for product launches, movie promotions, and festival campaigns. At the same time, major players in the out-of-home advertising space, such as Zero Degree, are actively exploring new technologies to offer clients cutting-edge solutions. Since 3D DOOH is still a budding niche, early adopters have a real opportunity to establish themselves as pioneers, accelerating not just adoption but also innovation in the Indian market. Conclusion: A Future That’s Almost Here 3D billboards may seem like a futuristic concept that belongs to the skylines of Tokyo or New York, but it’s already knocking on India’s door. Yes, there are challenges - be it cost, placement, or infrastructure - but the potential is far too big to ignore. With a rapidly evolving urban landscape, a tech-savvy creative industry, and brands eager to stand out, India is poised to be a major player in this emerging format. The gigantic cat and more visuals like that might not be present above every intersection just yet - but if the right steps are taken, it won’t be long before 3D anamorphic billboards decorate Indian cities in numbers. The question isn’t whether India can catch up, but rather - how fast it chooses to leap.

April 11, 2025

Zero Degree: Crafting Brand Journeys Through Kochi’s Metro Landscape

Kochi, the vibrant landscape of Kerala has always been on the move. The city, though has gone busy over the years still has an inherent hum in its streets that give out an energy of progress, which is all centred around the Kochi Metro. This common man’s commute has given a much needed elevation for the city as a symbol of modernity and connectivity. While the metro moves the city’s life and people, there is another force that has grown with a steadfast approach in shaping various brand perspectives and experiences and as an Out of Home ( OOH) advertising agency that has transformed Kochi’s urban space into a performing venue for brands. That’s Zero Degree! The Power of Movement Every day, thousands of commuters step into those clean, smart spaces of Kochi Metro. It’s not just a place of transit; it’s a place where people are open to a lot of discovery. Even if they’re rushing to work, or leisurely exploring the city, or heading back home, they pass through a network of stations that act as meeting points for ideas, experiences, and advertisements. This is where Zero Degree steps in. Recognizing modern commuters as more than just passengers, who are active participants in maintaining the vibe of the city, Zero Degree utilises this unique space of Kochi Metro to craft visual journeys that align with these decisive moments of movement. From large-format billboards that captivate the eye as the trains approach, to strategic digital screens that engage riders with dynamic content, Zero Degree turns Kochi metro into an active stage for global brands to narrate their captivating stories. A Collaborative Experience Zero Degree, with an exclusive partnership with Kochi Metro, represents the fusion of two powerful forces. They are in constant watch for the physical movement of people and the psychological movement of ideas. Their OOH campaigns are not largely static and they are designed to engage commuters as they move to literally encourage interactions to leave lasting impressions. Each ad placement is meticulously planned to capture the attention of diverse audiences, from daily commuters to tourists exploring the city. Whether it’s a local brand wanting to speak to the city's heritage or a global brand bringing international flair, Zero Degree understands the pulse of Kochi and tailors each campaign to resonate with its people. Take, for example, the metro stations in MG Road and Edapally, two of the busiest hubs in the network. Zero Degree strategically positions high-impact visuals in these areas, ensuring that brands become an integral part of the commuting experience. By tapping into the rhythm of daily life, they create advertising spaces that not only draw attention but also integrate seamlessly into the fabric of the city. Turning Commutes Into Engagement Opportunities The Kochi Metro is more than a transit system; it’s an evolving ecosystem of urban life. Zero Degree recognizes this and uses the metro not just as a medium, but as a touchpoint for meaningful engagement. Their ads don’t simply sit on the walls—they interact with passenger journeys, capturing their interest when they’re most open to new ideas. Whether it’s a digital display that delivers real-time promotions or a billboard that evokes curiosity, Zero Degrees creative mastery ensures that no message is lost in the crowd. And it’s not just about visibility; it’s about contextual relevance. Commuters are more receptive to messages when they feel a sense of connection to their environment. By embedding brands into the flow of everyday life, Zero Degree makes every ad feel like a natural extension of the urban experience. Their campaigns become landmarks of the commute, helping brands in creating authentic connections with the people of Kochi. A Metro of the Future: Shaping Tomorrow’s Brand Experiences As Kochi Metro continues to expand, so does the opportunity for brands to embed themselves in the city’s evolving narrative. Zero Degree is already at the forefront of this transformation. They are pioneering innovative OOH solutions that go beyond traditional billboards and posters, incorporating cutting-edge technology such as interactive digital signage, QR code activations, and augmented reality experiences. Imagine stepping off the metro and scanning a QR code that offers you an exclusive discount or guiding you to the nearest store or event. Or picture an augmented reality billboard that transforms the city skyline as you view it through your phone. These are not far-off concepts—they’re part of Zero Degrees vision for the future of OOH advertising in Kochi Metro. With these innovations, Zero Degree continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in urban advertising, turning Kochi Metro into a living, breathing marketplace for brands to engage with their audiences in fresh, exciting ways. Shaping Kochi’s Brand Landscape—One Station at a Time The partnership between Zero Degree and Kochi Metro is more than just a collaboration; it’s a shared vision for the future of branding in Kochi. Together, they are redefining how brands communicate in public spaces, turning Kochi’s metro stations and trains into immersive advertising environments that tell stories, spark conversations, and drive action. For Kochi’s residents, this synergy transforms the daily commute into something more: a journey filled with inspiration, creativity, and discovery. And for brands, it’s an opportunity to be part of the city’s pulse, to move with the people, and to leave a lasting mark on the minds of consumers. Zero Degree and Kochi Metro are not just moving people—they’re moving ideas, shaping perspectives, and crafting the future of urban advertising.

January 15, 2025

Technological Innovations in OOH Advertising

From Static to Dynamic: The Future of OOH with Technology-Driven Displays and Experiences. Join us as we explore the wave of innovations transforming the OOH landscape, highlighting how tech is reinvigorating life in public spaces and reshaping brand-audience relations. Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) Advertising With that in mind, imagine walking through a busy city square adorned with digital screens instead of boring old billboards. Often used to show everything from weather updates to interactive social media feeds, these displays create a tapestry of content that engages passersby. That’s DOOH, a combination of tech and creativity that transforms static ads into active moments. Programmatic Advertising Upon this digital renaissance, programmatic advertising takes center stage as the maestro, conducting campaigns with both precision and efficiency. Through automation, advertisers are able to bid for digital billboard real estate in real time, ensuring that their messaging is hitting their target audience at exactly the right time. Not only does this maximize impact, but it provides flexibility, enabling campaigns to quickly pivot as circumstances change. Artificial Intelligence AI is the artisan in the OOH world, generating personalized and contextually relevant content. Imagine a digital kiosk that understands the time of day and adjusts advertising to feature coffee in the morning and meals in the evening. AI uses data like location, the weather, and audience demographics to prepare messages that touch a personal level and improve engagement and efficiency. 3D Anamorphic Displays Taking a step further into the realm of innovation, 3D anamorphic displays dazzle the eyes by generating illusions that seem to fly off the screen. These holographic displays use sophisticated technology to create three-dimensional images that can be seen from certain angles, capturing the attention of passersby who marvel at lifelike images that seem to transcend the limits of their screens. Augmented Reality (AR) Augmented Reality translates to "real world," bridging the gap between physical and digital, and adding layers of digital content to the real world. All you do is point your smartphone at a bus shelter ad, and when the lens clicks, there’s the product demonstration right on your screen. Such an interactive layer engages attention not just from a visual point of view but also with immersive experiences that enhance consumer engagement. Sustainability While the industry marches ahead, there is a kneejerk balancing act between innovation and sustainability. Advertisers are adopting greener strategies, like using energy-efficient LED displays and procuring renewable energy for digital billboards. Such an initiative is not only eco-friendly but also appeals to the consumers who appreciate the green movement. Case Study: MoonPie's Extraterrestrial Engagement MoonPie recently ran a campaign specifically targeting aliens , a shining example of creative out-of-home advertising. They launched ads in the top alien hotspots for the U.S., using a made-up language and futuristic graphics to grab the attention of aliens and humans alike. This forward-thinking method not only created noise but also highlighted the endless potential of innovative OOH campaigns. The Road Ahead: A Fusion of Creativity and Technology Exciting OOH Advertising Future with Technology Creative Element: With everything from AI-powered personalization to virtual and augmented reality experiences, the industry is gearing up to deliver messages that people will not just see, but feel. With fast-paced audiences and an evolving digital landscape, the path forward will lie in combining technology and storytelling in a way that makes a connection. Biometric and Facial Recognition Technology The technology that is going to change the game is facial recognition. Some DOOH displays are equipped with biometric sensors that analyze age, gender, and even emotions to serve ultra-personalized ads. For example, a digital billboard in a shopping mall could recognize a young adult in front of it, and present them with promotions at fashionable clothing hookups, while showing parents disappear family-friendly content as they pass. Hyperlocal and Geo-Targeted Advertising Similarly, hyperlocal and geo-targeted advertising has gained its spot as a mighty weapon in the OOH arsenal. Brands can serve hyper-relevant ads based on a user’s exact location with the integration of GPS and mobile data. If a nearby potential customer walks by, for example, a fast-food restaurant can serve promotional content on to digital displays, wooing them in real time with the deal of the moment. Voice-Activated OOH Advertising The OOH industry is beginning to integrate voice technology, enabling audiences to interact with voice command billboards and kiosks. Interactive voice-activated ads can deliver more info, make product reservations, or even let users interact with brand experiences , simply by talking. Blockchain for Transparency in OOH Advertising Blockchain is solving transparency and ad fraud issues in the OOH advertising industry. Decentralized ledgers enable advertisers to monitor campaign impressions, authenticate the users who engage with the ads, and confirm that the ads are displayed to real people. This not only promotes trust between brands and advertisers, raising the credibility of the industry as a whole. As OOH advertising evolves, it is important for brands and advertisers to embrace these innovations to remain relevant and engaging in an overactive digital world. This creative, interactive, and tech-heavy experience will likely continue to shape out-of-home advertising for future generations.

January 15, 2025

What Is Programmatic Advertising?

Why Programmatic Advertising?

Key Benefits of prDOOH Advertising

How to Succeed with prDOOH Advertising

How It Works: Real-Life Success Stories

The Future of Programmatic Advertising

Final Thoughts