The poster war: how Amsterdam’s wild posters carved up a city they did not own
Two Amsterdam poster crews went to war over walls neither of them owned. And then, one of them got a licence from the authorities.
History of Wild Posting
Activations
Guerrilla
Wild Posting, Posters, Fly Posting, Affichages and more….
Putting up posters in unexpected city spots and open walls is one of the earliest forms of guerrilla marketing.
It started in the late 19th and early 20th century when artists and political movements used walls and utility boxes to spread their message cheaply and directly. In the ’70s and ’80s the music scene adopted it: punk bands, hip-hop collectives, and club promoters turned the street into their billboard. Nowadays you still can see a lot of cultural posters and unique label designs but it’s popular fashion brands too.
Why posters?
The guerrilla effect, it surprises passersby in places where they don’t expect advertising. It feels less commercial, more connected to subculture and street life.
Mass impact: a wall covered with the same poster creates urgency and visibility; cheaper than traditional OOH while still reaching wide audiences.
Wild posting is effective because it taps into curiosity and the energy of the streets. It remains a favorite tool for brands that want to stand out without being standard.
Here is the latest video from us about Dublin’s poster stage.
Our services
Articles
Stay updated
Where guerrilla marketing came from
Guerrilla marketing was named in 1984. Amsterdam archives show us the trade is a century older. From an 1875 complaint to a wall for rent in 1915.
Green graffiti, reverse graffiti, chalk stencils: what’s the difference?
Reverse graffiti, green graffiti, chalk stencils: clients mix them up all the time. Here is what each technique is, how long it lasts, and how to brief correctly.
OOH marketing for startups: how to create street-level buzz without a huge media budget
MOJU, Le Smash and JUNI all prove the same thing: the right streets make a small brand impossible to miss. Here's how each one did it.
What makes a special build actually work
Three brands, three special builds, one same result: people stopped, looked twice, and remembered it. Here's what makes a special build worth stopping for.
Beyond Europe: what it takes to run street marketing globally
Every new market comes with its own rules, its own risks, its own learning curve. Here's what it actually takes to make it work, city by city.
You don’t need to sponsor the marathon to own the city
You don't need a sponsorship to win a marathon weekend. Here's how street marketing puts your brand where the crowd actually is.
Fintech marketing: why trust starts on the street
Physical presence builds the trust that fintech and crypto brands need. See how brand activations can do that in person.
Work with us