Six years ago, one of the hottest topics in the USA was the advertising campaign "Godspeaks", which consisted of funny and thought-provoking one-liners in white text on a black background. No logo, no address, no telephone number, just signed "God". From very small beginnings on a handful of billboards, the campaign spread to 10,000 billboards across the nation, and also caught the attention of the media. The campaign was backed by an anonymous sponsor who wanted to draw attention to the God of the Bible in a creative, disarming and thought-provoking way. "For years, the campaign has made people talk, think and laugh," says Nancy Fletcher, CEO and President of OAAA, the Outdoor Advertising Association of America, which adopted the campaign in 1999, spreading it across the nation for free; the 10,000 billboards in 200 towns and cities would otherwise have cost around US$ 15 million. Now, there's a new campaign, titled "god speaks - again!" This time, there's also a web site (
godspeaks.com) for people who have become curious and want to know more. Here are the one-liners, first from the original campain, then from the new:
1998 campaign
- Let´s meet at my house Sunday before the game.
- C´mon over and bring the kids.
- Which part of „Thou shalt not…“ didn´t you understand?
- We need to talk.
- Keep using my name in vain, I´ll make rush hour longer.
- Loved the wedding, invite me to the marriage.
- That “Lover Thy neighbour” thing… I meant it.
- I love you…I love you… I love you
- Will the road you´re on get you to my place?
- Follow me.
- Need directions?
- You think it´s hot here?
- Tell the kids I love them.
- Need a marriage counsellor? I´m available.
- Have you read my #1 best seller? (There will be a test.)
- Do you have any idea where you´re going?
- Big Bang Theory… you´ve got to be kidding.
- My way is the Highway.
2005 campaign
- I love you… Te amo…
- As my apprentice, you´re never fired.
- One nation under me.
- All I know … is everything.
- If you must curse, use your own name!
- It´s a small world. I know… I made it.
- Life is short. Eternity isn´t.
- The real Supreme Court meets up here.
- Feeling lost? My book is your map.
