Strategic design drives strong results for NET trams
Since 2022, we’ve been working closely with NET trams to connect with Nottingham’s growing student population – delivering freshers campaigns that cut through the noise and shift behaviour. Fast-forward to 2025 and we’ve just wrapped up our fourth consecutive campaign.
Another year of strong results, stronger engagement and, on top of it all, industry recognition in the form of a Silver DBA Design Effectiveness Award in 2024!
A campaign built on insight
Our challenge was to get more students hopping on the tram and keep NET front of mind throughout the academic year. We dug deep into student life in Nottingham, considering their frustrations, routines and priorities, to uncover what would genuinely resonate with them.
Based on this insight, we created a bold, typographical campaign that spoke their language. Positioning NET as the smarter and greener way to get around Nottingham, and tapping into a student’s need for travel that delivers freedom, value and convenience.
Visually confident and consistent creative
Over the years, we’ve developed and refined a strong, student-facing visual language for NET. This latest iteration built on this, pairing punchy headlines with bold visuals and a clean, modular identity that worked effortlessly across all channels.
From tram stop takeovers, digital ads, to targeted social and on-campus events, the campaign was everywhere students were, making NET feel like an essential part of student life.
Face-to-face impact at campus events
To make sure the campaign landed where it mattered most, we supported it with a striking stand at key freshers events across Nottingham’s universities and colleges.
Branded giveaways, engaging competitions and a friendly, on-the-ground team helped put NET trams firmly on students’ radar from day one. It was an opportunity to build real connections, answer any questions and give students a reason to download the app on the spot. And it worked.
Significant impact (and award-winning too)
The campaign’s impact has gone far beyond awareness. Since launch, it has delivered:
- a 95% increase in revenue sales for the academic year student pass
- a 30% increase in personal travel among students
- and a significant uplift in overall tram usage
This consistent performance helped us secure Silver at the DBA Design Effectiveness Awards, recognising the measurable value of a campaign that continues to deliver for our client, year after year.
It was such a proud moment for both us and NET, testament to our strong partnership and a great nod to the creative consistency we’ve built over the past four years.
You can read more on our work with NET in our full case study.
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