🚇 Top Creative Metro Advertising Campaigns in India — Case Studies That Worked
From morning rush hours to evening commutes, India’s metro networks have become more than just transit systems — they’re moving galleries of creativity and brand storytelling.
Across Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, some of India’s most memorable campaigns have emerged from train wraps, station domination, and interactive installations.
Let’s explore the most successful metro ad campaigns that captured attention, sparked conversations, and set new benchmarks for creativity and engagement — many executed through platforms like MyHoardings, which makes large-scale metro branding seamless across cities.
🌟 1. Netflix India — “Stranger Things” Station Domination (Delhi Metro)
When Netflix launched the new season of Stranger Things, it transformed Delhi’s Rajiv Chowk Metro Station into the eerie world of Hawkins.
Creative Concept:
- Entire walls and pillars were wrapped in the show’s signature red-and-black visuals.
- LED lights and sound effects recreated the Upside Down atmosphere.
- QR codes linked directly to the show’s trailer on the Netflix app.
Impact:
- Thousands of daily commuters engaged with the space, taking selfies and sharing them on social media.
- #StrangerThingsMetro trended across platforms for 3 days.
Lesson:
✅ Immersive storytelling + ambient effects = emotional recall.
🎵 2. Spotify India — “Every Mood Has a Playlist” (Bengaluru Metro)
Spotify turned the Purple Line into a mobile jukebox of moods.
Creative Concept:
- Each train coach represented a different playlist: “Work Vibes,” “Retro India,” “Monsoon Melodies.”
- Vibrant visuals of artists and lyrics wrapped the interiors.
- Interactive QR codes on doors allowed commuters to directly play the featured playlist.
Impact:
- 65% higher in-app engagement during the campaign month.
- Thousands of user-generated Instagram stories tagged #SpotifyOnTheGo.
Lesson:
✅ Metro ads can seamlessly merge offline engagement with digital action.
🍔 3. McDonald’s — “Hungry Kya?” Station Domination (Mumbai Metro)
McDonald’s used Mumbai’s Andheri Station — one of the busiest hubs — to serve visual hunger before commuters reached home.
Creative Concept:
- Escalator panels featured enlarged burger images appearing “closer” as commuters ascended.
- Scent diffusers released a light burger aroma near exits.
- Directional floor stickers led to the nearest McDonald’s outlet.
Impact:
- 20% rise in outlet footfall during the 30-day campaign.
- Massive organic social chatter from office-goers sharing creative pictures.
Lesson:
✅ When OOH campaigns trigger multiple senses, recall skyrockets.
📺 4. Disney+ Hotstar — “Marvel Superheroes Take Over” (Delhi & Hyderabad Metros)
Ahead of Avengers: Endgame, Disney+ Hotstar turned select metro trains into Marvel universes on wheels.
Creative Concept:
- Each coach showcased a different superhero theme — Iron Man, Thor, Captain America.
- Augmented Reality photo booths at stations let commuters “pose with heroes.”
- Digital screens ran countdowns to the movie release.
Impact:
- Over 1 million organic social shares across India.
- High pre-release buzz for the platform’s streaming launch.
Lesson:
✅ Fandom + interactivity = viral amplification.
🏦 5. Paytm — “Cashless Metro” Integration Campaign (Pan-India)
As metro systems adopted digital ticketing, Paytm used creative branding to educate and promote cashless travel.
Creative Concept:
- Door panels displayed “Tap, Scan, Ride” tutorials with QR visuals.
- Floor graphics led to ticket counters branded with Paytm branding.
- Ads showcased real commuters using the app for metro payments.
Impact:
- 32% surge in metro ticket payments through Paytm during campaign months.
- High functional recall across Tier-1 cities.
Lesson:
✅ Utility-based campaigns win when they simplify real commuter needs.
☕ 6. Bru Gold Coffee — “Wake Up India” (Chennai Metro)
Bru Gold targeted morning commuters with an innovative takeover of Chennai’s Central Metro.
Creative Concept:
- Platform clocks displayed the tagline: “It’s Coffee O’Clock.”
- Motion LED screens simulated coffee steam visuals.
- Aroma diffusers at escalators added a sensory punch.
Impact:
- 50% brand recall uplift among working professionals in surveys.
- Widely covered by local media as one of Chennai’s most creative transit ads.
Lesson:
✅ Combining timing + sensory branding creates emotional associations.
📱 7. Zomato — “Hunger Doesn’t Wait” (Delhi Metro)
Zomato wrapped metro train doors with humorous copy lines:
“Train late? Don’t wait — order now.”
Creative Concept:
- Quirky, relatable lines at eye level during boarding.
- Dynamic QR codes that showed “trending restaurants nearby.”
- Integration with app location tracking.
Impact:
- 2.5x increase in app downloads during campaign week.
- Viral memes and reels created by daily commuters.
Lesson:
✅ Humor + convenience messaging = shareability and trust.
🧠 8. Byju’s — “Learning Never Stops” (Bengaluru Metro)
Byju’s tapped into the city’s education-driven culture.
Creative Concept:
- Entire coach interiors showcased students’ success stories and learning journeys.
- Station domination near major universities and tech parks.
- QR codes offered free course trials.
Impact:
- 40% more trial sign-ups in the region.
- High brand sentiment among young parents and students.
Lesson:
✅ Align creative storytelling with local aspirations for maximum resonance.
🚄 9. Tata Motors — “Built for the City” (Hyderabad Metro)
Tata Motors used a train wrap campaign to launch a new compact SUV.
Creative Concept:
- Full exterior wraps simulated the car’s speed on tracks.
- Station pillars resembled car headlights at night.
- LED highlights on train doors mimicked taillights.
Impact:
- 18% higher showroom inquiries during campaign duration.
- Strong crossover engagement on automotive blogs.
Lesson:
✅ Product-context synergy (vehicle + transit) creates natural storytelling.
🌍 10. State Tourism Boards — “See the Unseen India” Series
Various state tourism boards — Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh — collaborated with MyHoardings for creative metro branding drives.
Creative Concept:
- Scenic wall wraps across major interchange stations.
- Regional music and local culture showcased through digital displays.
- QR links to travel booking portals.
Impact:
- Boosted awareness of offbeat destinations.
- Strong alignment with India’s domestic tourism revival post-pandemic.
Lesson:
✅ Metro ads are perfect for city-dwellers craving travel inspiration.
🎯 Key Takeaways from India’s Most Creative Metro Campaigns
- Creativity + Context = Connection: The best ideas come from aligning brand stories with commuter emotions.
- Interactivity Boosts Recall: QR codes, AR, and sensory cues bridge offline to online.
- Domination = Immersion: Owning every inch of the commuter journey multiplies recall exponentially.
- Local Relevance Wins: Adapting campaigns to each city’s culture or audience segment increases emotional impact.
🚀 How MyHoardings Helps Brands Create Impactful Metro Campaigns
MyHoardings simplifies the entire process — from concept ideation and station selection to execution and performance tracking.
With MyHoardings, brands get:
- Access to all major Indian metro networks (Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune)
- Creative design and production support for large-format ads
- Transparent pricing, negotiation, and offer rates
- Photo verification and campaign analytics
Whether you’re launching a new product, driving app installs, or building urban awareness — MyHoardings turns metros into storytelling spaces that travel with your audience.
