10 Standout Advertising Campaigns That Took Over the London Underground

London’s Tube network has long been a stage for bold, inventive advertising that reaches millions of daily travellers. From brand takeovers to clever escalator visuals, these standout campaigns show how creativity turns commutes into memorable brand experiences.

Here are ten of the most creative and memorable campaigns ever showcased across the London Underground network.

Beazley Insurance

Beazley Insurance delivered a striking campaign across Bank, Cannon Street and Fenchurch Street stations, blending bold visuals with 4 sheet posters, digital 6 sheet screens, 16 sheet cross track posters and digital gateway screens to captivate London’s financial district and engage high-profile City professionals.

Discover more about Beazley Insurance’s bold City Tube campaign here.

Amazon Prime

Amazon Prime Video celebrated the launch of Star Trek: Picard with a bold rebrand of Piccadilly Circus station into “Picardilly Circus”. For 48 hours, commuters were immersed in the Star Trek universe through a full station takeover featuring custom roundels, themed signage and station announcements voiced by Sir Patrick Stewart himself.

Zoho CRM

Zoho CRM made a bold statement with a dynamic multi-format campaign across King’s Cross St. Pancras, Liverpool Street, London Bridge, Paddington and Bank stations. Using Tube car panels, escalator panels and digital ribbons, the vibrant designs captured attention and showcased Zoho’s smart, simplified approach to business for London’s tech-savvy commuters.

Disney Plus

Disney+ transformed Tube escalators into immersive storytelling spaces using digital escalator panels at major London stations. Featuring characters like Elsa, Homer Simpson and Buzz Lightyear, the creative campaign turned commutes into cinematic moments, showcasing the streaming platform’s diverse worlds from Disney, Pixar, Marvel and beyond.

Get more insights into how Disney+ brought its magic underground.

Beefeater Pink Gin

Beefeater launched its strawberry-flavoured gin with a scented takeover at Oxford Circus station, using vibrant pink visuals along exit corridors. The multisensory campaign combined sight and scent to engage commuters, creating a standout, memorable experience in one of London’s busiest stations.

Vicks

Vicks ran a high-impact winter campaign across Bank, Oxford Circus, and Liverpool Street stations using Tube car panels and 16 sheet cross track posters. The bold creative reached millions of commuters, positioning Vicks Triple Action VapoDrops as the go-to remedy during cold season.

Read more about Vicks’ powerful Underground campaign.

Financial Times

The Financial Times rolled out a creative escalator panel campaign across Bank, Canary Wharf, and Liverpool Street stations. Featuring bold typography and its signature pink branding, the campaign promoted the Global Banking Summit 2024 and strengthened the FT’s authority among London’s influential financial audience.

PlayStation PS5 Launch

Sony celebrated the UK PS5 launch by transforming Oxford Circus into PlayStation showcases. Iconic roundels were replaced with controller symbol, creating a 48-hour visual spectacle that blended brand identity with London’s transport icons and sparked major social buzz.

Lime Bikes

\Lime Bike’s campaign cleverly reimagined the London Underground map, turning lines into playful names like Bakerloo Lime and Piccadilly Lime. Featured across key central stations, the creative OOH format used humour and wordplay to blend seamlessly with London life, sparking instant recognition and engagement among daily commuters.

Burberry Street Station Renaming

Burberry made headlines by rebranding Bond Street as “Burberry Street” during London Fashion Week. The takeover featured bespoke roundels, signage and digital panels, seamlessly blending heritage with modern design to celebrate British creativity on a global stage.

Why Creative Tube Advertising Works

The London Underground offers unmatched exposure with over 1.5 billion annual journeys. High dwell times, repeated visibility and a diverse audience make it ideal for impactful brand storytelling. Whether through bold imagery or full station takeovers, creative Tube ads ensure brands stand out in London’s fast-paced environment.

Plan Your Own Standout Campaign

Ready to craft your own memorable Tube campaign? Partner with London Underground Advertising to design a creative, high-impact strategy that connects with millions of Londoners every day. From static to digital formats and full station takeovers, we’ll help your brand make its mark on the Underground.

FAQs

Why is the London Underground ideal for creative advertising?

The Tube’s high footfall and long dwell times give brands repeated exposure, helping campaigns leave a lasting impression on daily commuters.

How do brands measure success on the Tube?

Through brand awareness studies, social engagement and increased sales or web traffic during and after the campaign.

Can smaller brands afford Tube advertising?

Yes. With smart placement in local stations and flexible formats, brands of all sizes can achieve strong results.