During my two months at SOMO, I've spent a lot of time walking around NYC checking out the different campaigns running on our network and thinking about what I like, and sometimes don't love about the creative running. Taxi top advertising is a high-visibility, mobile ad format that reaches a broad audience in urban areas. Imagine your brand message traveling through the busiest streets, catching the eyes of thousands. That's the power of taxi top advertising. To make the most of it, these creative best practices I've noticed from our campaigns:
1. Simplicity and Boldness: Keys to Effective Taxi Top Ads
Use large, legible fonts that can be read quickly from a distance.
Keep your text minimal—5-7 words are ideal—to make sure your message is clear at a glance.
2. High-Contrast Colors
Use bold, contrasting colors to enhance visibility, especially at night.
Avoid light colors on white backgrounds, as they can be hard to read in bright sunlight.
3. Eye-Catching Imagery
Opt for high-resolution visuals to ensure easy recognition.
Ensure graphics are not too detailed, as small details can get lost at a distance.
For instance, a clear image of a coffee cup for a coffee brand.
4. Strong Branding & Call to Action (CTA)
Include a logo or brand identifier that’s easy to recognize.
A short, punchy CTA like “Order Now” or “Visit Us” works best.
If including a URL or phone number, make sure it’s short and memorable.
5. Localized or Timed Messaging
Some digital taxi tops allow dynamic content updates based on location, time of day, or weather.
Example: A coffee brand can display “Morning Pick-Me-Up?” from 7 AM–11 AM.
These are just a few of the take aways I have. If you ever want to reach out and chat about advertising on NYC cabs, don't hesitate to reach out to rebecca@somo.world.