The term “standee” made its first appearance in the motion picture herald around 1933. However, the use of figurines and life-size cutouts, which served as early precursors to standees, has been prevalent in various industries for centuries. In the fashion industry, mannequins have been employed since the 15th century to showcase garments and attract customers.
The advent of the ability to inexpensively print large-sized photographs, particularly in color, revolutionized the advertising market and provided an alternative to cutout standees. These life-size cutouts, often featuring prominent figures or characters, became a popular means of advertising and promotional displays. Historical photographs from as early as 1917 by Jessie Tarbox Beals and 1936 by Walker Evans titled “Coal Miner’s House, Scott’s Run, West Virginia” depict these figurines lining the walls alongside a Santa Claus, showcasing their early presence in public spaces.
One of the earliest and most successful examples of standee advertising can be traced back to a 1947 L’Oréal campaign by French advertising photographer Lucien Lorelle. The campaign featured life-size cutouts of model Suzy B clad in a bikini and tanned body. These standees were strategically placed at the entrances of shops and pharmacies in French seaside resorts, becoming iconic symbols of L’Oréal’s advertising strategy.
During the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, standees took on a new role as venues utilized them to fill seats and create an illusion of public attendance. Many athletic events, TV shows, and performances resorted to using standees to compensate for the lack of live audiences.
Today, cutout advertising remains one of the most attractive and visually appealing forms of advertising available to businesses. Standees and life-size cutouts draw attention and engage customers in a unique and interactive manner. Their humorous and highly creative designs have the power to captivate audiences within a fraction of a second.
As an advertising agency, BuyMediaSpace provides businesses with eye-catching and attention-grabbing display solutions, ensuring that customers are immediately attracted to the humorous and creative cutouts. Standees offer an effective way to promote products, services, and events, leaving a lasting impression on potential customers and enhancing brand visibility.
In conclusion, standees have a long history in advertising, with mannequins and life-size cutouts being employed in various industries for centuries. The development of cost-effective large-format printing brought about standees as we know them today, becoming a popular and visually striking form of advertising. From historical campaigns to their role during the COVID-19 pandemic, standees continue to be an effective tool for businesses seeking innovative ways to reach their target audience and create engaging advertising displays.
At BuyMediaSpace, we offer businesses the opportunity to leverage the power of standees and cutout advertising to attract customers and elevate their advertising strategies to new heights.
