Yellow 25: Coldplay, Pantone, and the Art of Emotional Marketing

Yes, we are talking about Coldplay again. And no, this doesn’t involve a jumbotron. 

This time, the spotlight is on Wembley Park.

To mark 25 years of Coldplay’s iconic and ever-trending song Yellow, Pantone and Wembley Park created something unforgettable. The neighbourhood’s Spanish Steps have been transformed into “Yellow 25,” a giant Pantone swatch card made up of 58 shades of yellow. 

The design isn’t random. Every colour was chosen with intention, with saturation, tonal depth, and even spacing between shades considered to mirror the tempo and progression of Yellow. The steps don’t just look beautiful; they display the song’s emotional build in a physical form.

And the timing couldn’t be better. Starting tomorrow, Wembley Stadium will host Coldplay’s ten-show run for their Music of the Spheres world tour. Fans walking into the venue won’t just hear Yellow, they’ll literally move through it.

It’s beautiful, but it’s also smart marketing. Here’s why:

• It taps into nostalgia. Yellow isn’t just a song, it’s a memory for millions.

• It transforms a public space into an experience. Wembley’s steps are now an art piece, a photo opp, a shared moment.

• It connects to culture, not just consumers. The timing with Coldplay’s 10-show run makes it part of a bigger moment.

• And of course, it’s instantly shareable. Fifty-eight shades of yellow? That earns a spot on the grid.

The takeaway? Sometimes the most powerful thing a brand can do is drive emotion. 

Because fans might forget an ad, but they won’t forget climbing those steps on the way to hear Yellow live.