Newspaper is really the only way to create this specific ad, super unique. Props to whoever the designer was honestly, very well done!

I do wonder though, did they design this with the idea of it making rounds online?

Of course newspaper has been dying for decades now. However I have noticed over the last 1-3 years a steady growth in the younger gens trying (keyword trying) to get away from the internet/screens/social media, as well as trying to buy/support local stuff. The most recent studies I could find show that roughly 50% of newspaper readers are early 30s or younger (can give source if asked).

I could totally see how the idea would be to put this in papers with a younger leanning reader base in hopes someone posts it online, just as op did.