A bright yellow surprise recently appeared in Studio City, Los Angeles, stopping commuters in their tracks. What looked like a regular bus stop was completely transformed into a larger-than-life SpongeBob SquarePants installation, turning everyday street furniture into a playful piece of experiential outdoor advertising.
Spotted and shared by artist Derek Drymon, the activation feels less like a traditional ad and more like a piece of Bikini Bottom that somehow surfaced in the middle of the city.
A bus stop transformed into Bikini Bottom
The shelter is wrapped in an oversized, sculptural cheese-like yellow structure, instantly recognizable to SpongeBob fans. The exaggerated canopy sits on top of the bus stop like a cartoon prop brought into the real world, making it impossible to ignore for both pedestrians and drivers.
Inside the shelter, SpongeBob movie visuals dominate the panels, while the floor, seating, and surrounding elements continue the all-yellow treatment. The result is a fully immersive environment that turns waiting for the bus into an unexpected brand experience.
Street furniture becomes experiential OOH
Instead of treating the bus stop as a passive media surface, this activation makes it the hero format. Commuters don’t just see the campaign — they step inside it, sit within it, and interact with it in real time.
This is a strong example of how street furniture advertising can evolve into experiential OOH, using physical scale, texture, and color to create a moment that feels playful rather than promotional.
Built for real life and social media
The SpongeBob bus stop works on two levels. On the street, it delivers surprise and joy during a routine commute. Online, it becomes instantly shareable content, spreading organically through photos and videos posted by passersby.
By designing something that feels like a discovery instead of a campaign, the brand ensures natural amplification across social platforms — where the installation lives far beyond its physical location.
@d.i.y.craftingj.b.r Bus stop right on Sherman oaks, it put a big smile on my face cannot wait to see it in theaters. 🧽💗#spongebob #studiocity #november #fyp #creatorsearchinsights ♬ original sound - SpongeBob background music
Conclusion
This SpongeBob bus stop activation shows how creativity and character-led design can turn a single piece of urban infrastructure into a city landmark.
With bold color, exaggerated form, and a deep understanding of the brand’s tone, the campaign proves that outdoor advertising can still surprise us — especially when it makes people smile while they wait.
FAQs about this campaign
What is the SpongeBob Los Angeles bus stop campaign?
It’s an experiential OOH activation where a bus stop in Los Angeles is fully transformed into a SpongeBob SquarePants–inspired installation.
Why does this campaign stand out?
Because it goes beyond posters, using physical transformation and bold color to turn street furniture into an immersive brand experience.
How does street furniture advertising work here?
The bus stop becomes the hero format, inviting commuters to step inside the ad and interact with the brand while waiting.
How did people react to the installation?
Passersby photographed and shared the bus stop widely on social media, helping the campaign travel far beyond its physical location.
What can brands learn from this SpongeBob activation?
That playful creativity and experiential design can transform everyday urban spaces into memorable OOH moments that audiences genuinely enjoy.
Craft emotive OOH that resonates
Explore high-visibility print and OOH formats that elevate brand values and recall.
