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.
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.