Our Predictions for 2026
The Ubiquitous team have been doing this for a few years now, with an impressive 60 years of combined experience. It’s why we were keen to hear their predictions for 2026. Here’s what the team behind the UK’s leading Taxi Advertiser thinks 2026 has in store.
Trust will continue to be a bedrock for audiences.
The fragmented nature of the UK media landscape means that audience are spoilt for choice. However, this fragmentation doesn’t guarantee attention from an audience exposed to thousands of messages every day. Traditional formats like OOH, radio, and TV, are a wise choice for brands and advertisers because they’re more trusted by audiences.
So, where does this trust come from? Traditional formats like OOH exist in the public domain, where audiences are already more willing to engage with the message. Kantar research supports this deserved reputation. Their Media Reactions Report interviewed UK audiences and found that traditional formats like OOH are among the most trustworthy advertising channels.
2026 will see a continued emphasis on brand building.
Audiences are prioritising authentic engagement with the brands that matter to them. The impressive frequency and mass reach of OOH formats like Taxi Advertising drives home a convincing value proposition without making audiences feel like they’re being ‘marketed’ to.
As we focus on long-term brand building, it’s worth revisiting Les Binet and Peter Field’s groundbreaking paper, ‘The Long and the Short of It’. They highlighted entertainment as a key driver of engagement. Entertainment builds brand fame because it promotes the important factors that makes a brand’s message stick. The convoys, branded events, and experiential offerings that Taxis facilitate create a narrative that leaves audiences interested. The Ubiquitous team has witnessed first-hand the brand-building effects of Taxi Advertising. Post-campaign Attest tracking for a luxury brand found that those who regularly visited the central locations that taxis frequent were more likely to search, shop online for the brand, and visit in-store. In fact, 60% of those who viewed a branded taxi searched online for the brand advertised.
2026 will be a great year for sport!
There’s no harm in finishing our predictions on an upbeat note. So far in January, we’ve already been enjoying an Ashes away series that has delivered a rollercoaster of emotions in less than five days. There’s also a Winter Olympics to look forward to in Milan, the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup at Emirates Stadium and the Men’s Six Nations at Twickenham – all before the end of February!
Taxi Advertising captures the exhilarating energy of live sport because it puts brands closer to the action than other formats. Industry research found a 32% increase in brain response when brands used relevant content at a relevant moment, suggesting that Taxi advertising can leverage the crowds that live sport brings.
If you’re looking for an advertising channel that builds engagement with audiences authentically while quietly building your brand, look no further than the humble London Taxi. For reach, frequency, and impact, they’ve got a track record of delivering results.
Excited for 2026? So are we. The Ubiquitous team is always happy to chat about how they can bring your plans to life. Contact us via sales@ubiqtaxis.com
Sources: Clear Channel Research https://www.clearchannel.co.uk/the-moment-for-trust, Kantar Media Reactions Report, Peter Field & Les Binet, ‘The Long and the Short of It’, Attest Research, 2025, Moments of truth, Talon Research 2023