Global and Contagious Launch Fourth Look Ahead Competition Challenging Brands to Champion London
Global and Contagious have announced the return of the Look Ahead competition for its fourth year, inviting creative teams to develop campaigns that celebrate and champion London across the Transport for London network and Global's roadside billboard network. The winning campaign receives a two-week run, with entrants choosing between an Elizabeth line-only route or a broader 'above and below' campaign. Entries are due by 2 October 2026, with the shortlist revealed on 19 October and the winner announced in November 2026.
Global and Contagious have announced the return of the Look Ahead competition for its fourth year, with Contagious a marketing intelligence platform, inviting brands and creative teams to develop campaigns that celebrate and champion London across one of the world's largest outdoor advertising networks. According to the announcement published by DailyDOOH, the competition challenges brands to create work specifically designed for the capital's outdoor canvas, spanning both the Transport for London environment and Global's roadside billboard network. The winning campaign, whichever format it takes, will receive a two-week run, with entrants able to choose between an Elizabeth line-only route using the line's advertising inventory or a broader "above and below" campaign covering both networks across the city's streets. Entries are due by 2 October 2026, with the shortlist revealed on 19 October and the winner announced in November 2026.
For the 2026 edition, Global is asking brands to celebrate and champion London, a city characterized by its culture, diversity, and the constant movement of millions of people daily. The brief calls for ideas that speak to and for Londoners, channeling what makes the city special.
The organizers are seeking work that reflects the collective experience of the city — speaking to the unique attitude, resilience, diversity, creativity, and pride of those who choose to make London their home. The brief welcomes approaches that are celebratory, purposeful, provocative, humorous, or culturally subversive, provided every entry demonstrates how a brand contributes something meaningful to London.
The 2025 top honours went to Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, with creative work developed in collaboration with agency New Commercial Arts. The winning campaign drew a parallel between passenger journeys on the Transport for London network and the journeys of rescue dogs and cats to their new forever homes. The creative concept highlighted how Battersea has helped animals reach new homes thanks to the expert care provided at its three rescue centres and beyond. The campaign was praised by judges for its ability to utilize the physical environment in a fun, relevant, and creative way.