It started out, reportedly, with a single word: "HI."
That was early last week. By the weekend, a full-blown Post-it note art war had erupted on Canal Street in New York City, with a number of agencies participating—including Havas Worldwide, Horizon Media, Cake Group, Biolumina and Harrison and Star. (Update: Getty Images has also been involved.)
On social media, the posts have been tagged #canalnotes and #postitwars and have been flooding in. It's a wonder any client work was getting done at these shops last week.
@LishKapish has been among the better documenters of the whole battle—posting photos including the one at the top of this post, taken Monday.
The whole thing is so perfect for ad agencies. It's colorful, juvenile, creative and competitive—and has the effect of making the agency windows all look like elementary schools.
Have a look below at some of the impressive creations. This war seems destined only to get bigger, both on Canal Street and elsewhere after agencies hear about it. In fact, we have word that at least one of the Canal Street agencies is planning the next big step in the #postitwar—we'll have that story as it happens.
UPDATE: Here's a follow-up story about how other shops, and even 3M, have gotten involved in the #postitwars.
Marge & Maggie stopped by #postitwar#canalnotespic.twitter.com/6ZFhCwLtHS
— kBostley (@kBostley) May 13, 2016
Havas is winning #canalnotespic.twitter.com/aHhu03kpPM
— Greg (@motylenski) May 13, 2016
Windows $100 suggested charity donation #milliondollarhomepage style.SnapChat 1st WIP. Retweet to help #canalnotespic.twitter.com/DPR41IQQcm
— Tom Goodwin (@tomfgoodwin) May 13, 2016
The @Postit war between @havasnyc and @harrisonandstar is now officially on... #canalnotes#postitwarspic.twitter.com/V8F6sbmzmM
— Sarah (@slou20) May 13, 2016
Hangman jumps into the post-it wars #canalnotes#havaspic.twitter.com/6gaRMThS2Y
— paul vinod (@Vinvox) May 13, 2016
The Lorax joins the #postit party. #postitwars#postitwar#canalnotespic.twitter.com/UsBxk4FOOc
— Erika Wegener (@ELWegener) May 13, 2016
In a #postitwar with the office across the street. Didn't start it, but we're gonna finish it! #canalnotes#postitspic.twitter.com/5eD5dJCCmn
— Erika Wegener (@ELWegener) May 13, 2016
The #postit art is getting crazy! Amazed this was never a thing before. #interofficeLove#canalnotespic.twitter.com/NvZUj98IEs
— Scott Ahearn (@scottahearnnet) May 13, 2016
First few days at the new gig have been pretty good. Proud of the collab on this one. #postitwars#canalnotespic.twitter.com/AiYGj5XnYV
— Bryan Haker (@bryanhaker) May 11, 2016
Post-it wars NYC #canalnotespic.twitter.com/fITEkY64cc
— paul vinod (@Vinvox) May 10, 2016
The most productive thing I've done all day is contribute to #canalnotes#adlifepic.twitter.com/TkriYNuHSZ
— Sevara Mallyn (@SevaraMallyn) May 10, 2016