If you’ve ever been stuck behind a bus plastered with an ad that made you look twice – congrats, you’ve already witnessed one of the oldest (and smartest) marketing stunts in motion.
Because here’s the thing: public transport isn’t just for passengers. It’s for attention.
The City’s Biggest Moving Billboard
While everyone else sees buses, trams and trains, marketers see a fleet of free eyeballs. Public transport is outdoor advertising with a plot twist – it moves, it’s local, and it gets seen by thousands of people every single day.
Unlike that paid Instagram ad people scroll past in half a second, you can’t swipe away a 12-metre bus. It’s right there, idling in front of you at the lights, casually imprinting your brand into someone’s brain.
That’s what we call visibility… literally.
Be Bold, or Don’t Bother
If your bus wrap looks like a PowerPoint template, don’t expect results. Transport advertising works best when it’s seen, which means big, clever, and unapologetic.
Think of it as your brand’s catwalk moment on the city streets.
Colours that clash (on purpose). Copy that makes people smirk. Taglines that can be read in 3 seconds flat (ideally with one eyebrow raised).
Because subtlety doesn’t stop traffic.
Hot Tip: According to Forbes’, humour isn’t just nice to have, it’s a cheat code. Funny ads get remembered, talked about and replayed in people’s heads long after the campaign ends. In other words: if you want attention, crack a smile first.
When Strategy Meets Street Smart
Outdoor advertising isn’t just about looks. It’s about location.
Your brand needs to roll through the right neighbourhoods, routes and times to reach the people who actually care.
A luxury real estate brand on the campus shuttle? Pointless.
But a bar ad advertising a student night? Genius.
As HubSpot puts it, great marketing is all about “delivering the right content, to the right people, at the right time.” And outdoor advertising is no different – the magic happens when your message shows up exactly where your audience already is (even if that place happens to be stuck behind a bus at the lights).
Turn Commuters Into Conspirators
The best public transport ads are the ones that make people feel like they’re in on it.
Think QR codes with cheeky callouts, copy that talks directly to the bored commuter, or designs that make the vehicle part of the joke.
“Stuck behind this bus? Perfect! plenty of time to Google us😉”
“Running late? Don’t worry, we’ll wait for you at [insert address].”
That’s how you turn a static moment into a shared smirk and a brand that feels alive.
Own the Streets (Literally)
Turning public transport into a publicity stunt isn’t about gimmicks. It’s about making your brand part of the daily rhythm of the city – visible, playful, and impossible to ignore.
Because while everyone else is busy refreshing their CPM dashboards, you’re out there turning the morning commute into a moving masterpiece.
Ready to make your brand stop traffic (and maybe cause a few double takes)?
👉 Chat with our team and let’s put your brand on the move.
