Guerrilla Tickets
Guerrilla Marketing * Creative Advertising * Strategic Thinking * Microcopy * Graphic Design
Sometimes, the most powerful ideas start with a simple question: how do we make people notice us - and remember us?
This project set out to break away from traditional, expected advertising methods, using creativity, surprise, and cleverness to create a lasting impression. What followed was a campaign that blurred the lines between the everyday and the unexpected - and made sure no one could ignore our message.
May I have your attention please?
The project was born during an internal brainstorming session at Mika Group, an advertising agency.
The challenge was to create a campaign that would attract new clients in a fresh, attention-grabbing way. Instead of relying on standard ads or social media posts, we wanted something that would spark conversations, stir curiosity, and position Mika as a bold, creative agency that isn't afraid to think differently.
Wanting to go beyond conventional tactics, I began researching guerrilla marketing - an approach that relies on direct, unexpected, and often disruptive strategies to connect with audiences.
I realized that the key was to interrupt people’s everyday routine in a way that felt clever, surprising, and impossible to ignore. Rather than coming to them through familiar channels, we would meet them where they least expected it - and deliver a message they couldn’t forget.Because our target audience was local small business owners in the city, the campaign needed to feel personal, relatable, and immediate.
The idea had to be simple enough to understand at a glance, yet layered enough to reveal its brilliance upon closer reading.
The parking ticket concept emerged naturally:*It’s something that instantly grabs attention.
*It creates an emotional reaction (panic/frustration) that makes people pay attention to the message.
*And it perfectly mirrors the idea of "paying a fine" every month by sticking with an underperforming agency.
To make the concept feel real, I used an actual parking ticket as visual inspiration - matching the format, structure, typography, and tone as closely as possible.
But instead of fines for illegal parking, the copy explained the real fine: the wasted money businesses spend by partnering with the wrong marketing agency.
Every word, asterisk, and footnote was chosen with precision to maintain the illusion while gradually revealing the real message.
The tone balanced wit, creativity, and a hint of provocation, making sure the experience would stick in people’s minds.The fake parking tickets were distributed on cars parked in business areas around the city.
Within hours, the campaign triggered an explosion of buzz:*Dozens of calls flooded into the agency, from curious business owners wanting to learn more.
*The campaign went viral on local Facebook groups - some people admired the creativity, some were skeptical, but everyone was talking about it.
Most importantly: brand awareness skyrocketed.
Mika became a name people recognized, discussed, and remembered - exactly what guerrilla marketing is meant to achieve.
