Ever wonder how bus shelters became canvases for advertising? JCDecaux in London is a big part of that story. Let me tell you about its origins and growth.
JCDecaux’s story began with Jean-Claude Decaux. In 1964 he invented a new business model. It was street furniture financed by advertising. Lyon in France was the first city to use it. The idea was simple. Provide bus shelters to cities. In return, sell advertising space on them.
The company expanded quickly. In 1971, JCDecaux installed street furniture in Lisbon. This launched the company’s first non-French-speaking subsidiary. By 1972, JCDecaux was developing new products. The Council Information Panel was one example. It had advertising on one side. The other side displayed council information and wayfinding.
Design became important. In 1992, Lord Norman Foster collaborated with JCDecaux. He designed street furniture products. Since then more than 50 designers have worked with JCDecaux.
The company’s expansion continued into the UK. In 1984, JCDecaux entered the UK market. It started with a bus shelter contract in The Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames. This brought 6-sheet advertising to the UK. JCDecaux’s goal was to enhance public spaces and provide advertising. This won over city planners and improved outdoor advertising across the UK.
Digital technology changed things. In 1998, JCDecaux installed its first digital displays in the Vienna Metro. By 2000, scrolling backlights were launched in the UK. These were considered revolutionary by UK media agencies.
JCDecaux Innovate launched in the UK in 2001. This division created attention-grabbing campaigns. The concept quickly spread to JCDecaux subsidiaries worldwide.
More growth followed. In 2010, JCDecaux UK bought Titan Outdoor. This made JCDecaux a leader in rail advertising. By 2015, JCDecaux won Transport for London’s bus shelter advertising contract. It was the largest of its kind in the world. The company began to transform London. It installed synchronized digital advertising in key areas.
JCDecaux is committed to renewable energy. By 2019, JCDecaux pledged to use 100% renewable power globally by 2022. The UK achieved this goal in 2019.
The company continues to innovate. In 2018, JCDecaux UK unveiled The Kensington. This unique digital canvas was designed by Zaha Hadid Design.
JCDecaux’s journey has been long. It has evolved from a simple idea into a global leader in outdoor advertising. The company enhances urban spaces while connecting brands with audiences. Its story is one of innovation, design, and sustainability. It’s a story that continues to unfold here in London and around the world.