"obay" billboard: wtf?

Submitted by amelia d on February 15, 2008 - 10:28pm.

tags:

Life

A cool mock ad campaign apparently is spreading across canada: fake pharmaceutical ads on bus shelters, billboards and inside bus ads are featuring a drug called 'Obay' for kids!

I saw one on the kipps lane bus and on a giant south-facing billboard on wellington road near south/grey street (west side) or nearer to the river. I found this online:

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/7426/img5521hi4.jpg

and a weird website:

http://www.obay.info/

and a short discussion:

http://creativebits.org/obay_ads

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Reading about this made my

Submitted by Thomas Czermak on February 19, 2008 - 6:46pm.

Well, if this isn't subtervising what could it be - an ad for a college?

This obay thing is really

Submitted by Phoenix on February 18, 2008 - 9:57am.

This obay thing is really starting to bug me. I just heard an radio ad. Someone is putting a lot of money into this.

It also seems unlikely that it's related to obay.info, as that site is registered to some artist in the states (Pete Ippel), and this campaign appears to be Canadian.

If I didn't know better (and I don't) I'd say it's some sort of ARG, but they aren't giving us a lot to go on.

Update: Ah, here we go. Colleges Ontario are responsible for the campaign.

http://torontoist.com/2008/02/the_ones_that_m.php

Scientology, didn't even

Submitted by Neil Blazevic on February 18, 2008 - 8:56pm.

Scientology, didn't even think of that one...

"A capitalist will sell you the noose to hang him/her with"

Submitted by Jeff P. on February 16, 2008 - 3:33pm.

or something like that...

This obay phenomenon is interesting. I just recently noticed those ads as well and have now had a few conversations with folks about them. they are developing thought that seems to counter that of contemporary advertising intentions. whatever those intentions may be, they are definitely using a unique delivery.

It also seems like the obay.info site is using corporate advertising to fund the development of coporate/war criticism. also very interesting. thanks for the post Amelia.

http://radicalblogs.org/lpps