For two days only, Londoners will find themselves travelling through history and art. The ticket hall and escalators at Charing Cross, one of the capital’s busiest Tube stations, will be reimagined as “Haring Cross” – a striking pop-up tribute to Keith Haring, one of the world’s most celebrated artists, and his legendary collaboration with Absolut Vodka in the 1980s.

The activation marks the next chapter of the global Absolut Haring launch, turning the daily commute into a captivating and unexpected cultural experience. Stepping off the escalator, commuters, visitors and tourists will be greeted in the ticket hall by two original Absolut Vodka paintings by Haring from 1986, displayed in public for the very first time in the UK. These works once transformed Absolut’s apothecary-shaped bottle into an icon of the art world – and now return to the underground, where Haring’s energy first ignited.

• two original Absolut Vodka artworks by Keith Haring are on display to the public
• free posters depicting the artworks available at the two-day event
• the experience celebrates the recent launch of the Absolut Haring Artist-Edition bottle
• celebrating a shared belief that art is for everybody

Rooted in Haring’s belief that “art is for everybody”, visitors will also be able to take away a free poster depicting one of Haring’s paintings on display (while stocks last). This iconic piece of artwork, featuring its unmistakable red lines and dancing figures set against a bold yellow canvas, became an Absolut campaign classic in 1986. A must-see if you happen to be in London in mid-September, this one-off project transforms the hustle and bustle of underground ticket halls and escalators into ‘Haring Cross’ – an immersive space adorned with graphic elements inspired by Keith Haring, for everyone to enjoy.

Haring wanted to make art accessible to everyone. His paintings, subway chalk drawings and public murals – whether dancing figures or barking dogs – vibrated with energy while carrying a deeper meaning beneath their playful surface. Just as Haring used art to capture imaginations and explore universal truths, Absolut has always believed that art for all can inspire, uplift, unite and open minds. The Absolut Haring artworks on display serve as a visual reminder of Haring’s belief in creativity as a unifying force, celebrating the power of art to drive positive change.

Deb Dasgupta, VP Global Marketing, Absolut Vodka, says: “Absolut has always believed that art should be open, joyful and for everyone. Keith Haring’s work radiated that belief – full of energy, colour and hope. With Absolut Haring, we’re inviting a new generation to celebrate that spirit in a public space – in an underground station that reflects and connects to the subways that inspired Haring more than forty years ago. It’s a vibrant reminder that creativity can inspire, uplift, unite and open minds.”

The ‘Haring Cross’ event follows the launch of the Absolut Haring Artist-Edition bottle across global travel retail in July and, which will be available across 40 markets from September onwards. The Artist-Edition bottle’s design pulses with energy: a debossed rhythm of dancing figures brought to life in his signature blaze of reds and yellows, cut sharply against Absolut’s distinctive blue. Signed off with Haring’s unmistakable signature on the shrink sleeve, the result is a piece of 3D kinetic art that transforms the original painting into something you can hold, admire and toast with.

David Stark, founder and CEO of Artestar, the agency representing the Keith Haring Studio, says: “Our mission is to keep Keith Haring’s spirit alive by continuing to expand access to his art and the important messages within it. This project with Absolut revives a moment that meant so much to Keith. It’s a wonderful tribute that allows anyone to engage with this special story that started back in 1986.”

Absolut’s collaborations with many influential pop art artists can be traced to 1985, when Andy Warhol first painted Absolut’s bottle and Keith Haring became the second a year later. Over more than two decades, Absolut worked with more than 550 artists who created more than 850 works of art. Today, they form part of the renowned Absolut Art Collection housed at Spritmuseum in Stockholm.

Christer Mellstrand, Museum Director at Spritmuseum, says: “Since 2008, Spritmuseum has been the proud owner of the Absolut Art Collection – a treasure trove of art, or perhaps advertising? Visitors are thrilled to discover that behind many of Absolut’s classic advertising campaigns lie real artworks by renowned artists: paintings, sculptures, drawings and more. Only the paintings by Andy Warhol are, perhaps, more famous in the Collection than Haring’s. To this day, Haring’s energetic and celebratory imagery remains an unmistakable part of contemporary culture.”

Emma Strain, Customer Director at Transport for London (TfL), says: “The London Underground has a long-standing connection to the art world, so we’re delighted to work with Absolut to be able to host Keith Haring’s art at Charing Cross Tube station. Activations like this provide our customers with a new way to experience art in London.”

Visit the ‘Haring Cross’ experience at Charing Cross Tube station for two days only from 17-18 September. The Absolut Haring Artist-Edition bottle will be available across 40 markets, including the UK, for a limited time only. Please visit www.absolut.com/en-gb/products/absolut-haring/ for more info.

This activation with Transport for London (TfL) consists of Keith Haring vinyls throughout the ticket hall, license to use TfL’s IP to create bespoke roundels to be used within their creative advertising (only) and use of a retail unit to display original Keith Harings. Advertising within the station was booked through Global. It is not a renaming of the station and no customer signage has been changed as part of this activation.

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Birds Eye are bringing fun and sun to supermarket freezers with ‘Win Trips With Chips’.

Created by Cat Among The Pigeons, this major on-pack promotion teams up with Jet2holidays to offer shoppers an unforgettable summer experience. ‘Win Trips With Chips’ will run across millions of packs of Birds Eye chips, waffle fries, and dippers until June 2025, connecting with consumers during a key time for planning family holidays.

The promotion features 10x all-inclusive holiday prizes to be won, each worth £4,000. To further capture attention, Cat Among The Pigeons has introduced a unique prize giveaway of Chip Flops—pairs of sandals designed to be the talk of social media this summer. In addition, 1,000 lucky runners-up will receive a £10 OFF Birds Eye coupon, encouraging shoppers to explore the wider range of Birds Eye frozen meals.

Adding even more value, EVERY pack also features £70 OFF your next Jet2holidays booking to be claimed when you enter at www.birdseyetripswithchips.co.uk.

Paul McGann, founder at Cat Among The Pigeons adds “Families still want great taste AND value with their weekly food shop and this new promotion really delivers. Birds Eye chips, dippers and waffle fries are firm family favourites and alongside Jet2holidays, they feel like the perfect summer partnership. The campaign features some exciting freezer takeovers in-store and online and we’re confident ‘Win Trips With Chips’ will bring more fun and sunshine to the frozen category.”

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Dale Farm has always looked for ways to sprinkle a little extra joy into everyday moments, and their latest on-pack promotion across the ice cream range is no exception. But in a category where great taste alone isn’t enough to stand out, the challenge was clear: how do you turn a family treat into a moment they’ll remember long after the tub is empty?

That’s the thinking behind ‘Win Fun Family Days Out’—a six-month on-pack campaign designed to bring Dale Farm’s ‘Delicious Little Wins’ platform to life. The promotion rewards purchases with the chance to unlock real-world family experiences, connecting the product directly to the memories that matter most.

In Northern Ireland’s competitive ice cream market, this wasn’t about simply adding a prize mechanic. It was about embedding emotional relevance into the purchase decision, aligning the incentive with what truly resonates for Dale Farm’s audience: time together, not just treats together.

To ensure the promotion stood out on shelf and connected at home, Dale Farm partnered with Activation, the agency behind the creative execution. Activation delivered a packaging refresh that positioned each tub as a gateway to family fun, while also developing a dedicated promotional website to keep participation simple, intuitive, and engaging.

As Activation puts it: “This promotion is more than just a competition. It’s a strategic effort to build a stronger emotional connection with Dale Farm’s core audience. By offering experiences, we’re creating moments of joy that go beyond the product itself—helping to drive immediate sales and, crucially, long-term brand loyalty.”

It’s a reminder of why on-pack promotions remain such a powerful lever for brands looking to cut through the noise, not by adding offers, but by adding real value. Because loyalty today is no longer about locking customers in. It’s about building a network of benefits they wouldn’t want to walk away from, rewards that feel relevant, experiences that feel personal, and partnerships that fit seamlessly into their lives.

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Iconic British folding bicycle manufacturer, Brompton, has appointed experiential marketing experts, TRO, to deliver the Brompton World Championship in London this summer, in a milestone year that celebrates the brand’s 50^th anniversary.

The participatory event, taking place from 20^th to 22^nd June at Coal Drops Yard in Kings Cross, will bring together more than 500 Brompton riders to compete in a series of races around the city streets, with 50,000 spectators expected to create a fun-filled, celebratory atmosphere. The event will sit alongside the Via Criterium as part of the London Cycling Festival.

At the heart of the event, TRO will harness their festival expertise to create The Brompton Village – a vibrant hub for Brompton’s community to come together and connect through a range of experiences that embody its brand ethos of fun, inclusivity and adventure.

The flagship event will also explore the brand’s legacy, offer limited edition anniversary merch and preview new products, with additional community ride-outs and experiences set to extend the activation beyond the festival.

Chris Booker, New Business & Marketing Director, TRO, said: “We’re delighted to be working with such an iconic brand in what is a real milestone year. Their ethos of community, inclusivity and fun perfectly aligns with our own outlook as an agency, and we can’t wait to bring Brompton fans together for what promises to be a special event.”

Chris Willingham, Global Marketing Director, Brompton, said “The Brompton World Championships brings together our community from around the world for the ultimate Brompton celebration. In our 50^th year, this will be extra special; TRO understood exactly what and how we could make this the best BWC yet and have the proven expertise to deliver it.”

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The Ingenuity Group acquired Reg&Co in March 2024 to bolster its brand partnership offering, with the two agencies aligning themselves closely and working together successfully. Today it is revealed they are merging under one name – Reg&Partners – led by Managing Director and founder of Reg&Co Karen Morris.

Chris Kemp, Founder and CEO of The Ingenuity Group, comments: “The Ingenuity Group acquired Reg&Co to supercharge our brand partnerships and sponsorships offering. After months of successful collaboration between them and our existing partnerships division now felt like the right time to fully integrate the two and relaunch our offer under the new Reg&Partners brand. Karen will be taking the now fully integrated team forwards as it continues to grow in 2025.” 

Karen Morris, MD of Reg&Partners, adds: “This merger and rebrand is incredibly exciting for the team and our existing and future clients. Merging the Ingenuity brand partnerships team with Reg&Co under one umbrella, Reg&Partners, combines the expertise and networks of both agencies, empowering us to grow and deliver more for our current and future clients.  I am excited about the challenge for 2025 and beyond as we deliver sponsorship strategy and sales, brand partnerships, licensing opportunities and loyalty programmes.” 

Reg&Partners client roster includes The Royal Institution, Sony Pictures, Samsung, Hasbro, Hello Fresh, Grosvenor estates, The Kennel Club, Canary Wharf Group, Chance to Shine.

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UK supermarket Sainsbury’s has debuted their exciting new Christmas advertisement today, featuring Roald Dahl’s universally beloved character the BFG.

Set to premier on ITV1 at 8:15pm on Friday 1^st November during Coronation Street, the ad follows the 24-foot friendly giant as he embarks on a new adventure with Sainsbury’s employee Sophie. In a TV first, real-life Sainsbury’s colleague ‘Sophie’ embarks on a journey with the Big Friendly Giant (the BFG), showcasing the delicious flavours of Sainsbury’s festive Taste the Difference range.

The deal was negotiated and managed by Born Licensing, licensing agent for Roald Dahl Story Company. RDSC engaged Born Licensing to bring to life their global partnership and licensing strategy, facilitating ATL campaigns which truly harness the unique storytelling qualities of their IP in an authentic way.

Born Licensing, in collaboration with the Roald Dahl Story Company, worked with Sainsbury’s creative agency, NCA, to ensure this new iteration of the BFG came to life with authenticity. Fans of the beloved book will be delighted to see famous references from the story including snozzcumbers, Frobscottle, and dream jars feature in this magical Christmas campaign. 

The extensive partnership will see the BFG appear across TV, print, outdoor, social media, direct mail, and PR.

“Christmas is the most competitive period for British advertisers and licensing a generationally adored character like the BFG is a sure fire way to capture attention. This is a brilliant example of how powerful advertising can be when combining cherished IP with brilliant creative.”

David Born, Founder and CEO of Born Licensing

“At the Roald Dahl Story Company storytelling is at the heart of what we do and we’re always on the lookout for opportunities to bring our beloved characters and stories to life in new ways, through bespoke and authentic partnerships and marketing campaigns. The BFG is the perfect fit for Sainsbury’s in creating a big Christmas.

Alice O’Brien, Head of Global Commercial Partnerships at the Roald Dahl Story Company

The power of Roald Dahl’s unique stories and characters is evidenced in Sainsbury’s desire to collaborate on the biggest marketing moment of the year. The partnership provided the opportunity to tell their story in a new and innovative way, harnessing the nostalgic love that the BFG brings to generations of audiences.

NCA and Ogilvy were behind the Creative with Rogue Films producing the TVC. The longform” film with cutdowns was directed by award winning Director Sam Brown. Post-production and VFX were done by Electric Theatre Company.

“By collaborating with Sainsbury’s to bring Roald Dahl’s beloved BFG to life in a new story, we hope the nation is as captivated as we are to see two old friends back together this Christmas.”

The BFG is perfect for Sainsbury’s mission to create a Big Christmas for all. Having only snozzcumbers to devour in Giant Country, his curiosity for good food leads to an adventure of discovery and wonderment with Sainsbury’s Sophie in order to bring the magic of Christmas to everyone.”

Natalie Hopkins, Director of Global Product and Partnerships at the Roald Dahl Story Company

This brand-new campaign comes as more and more audiences are enjoying Roald Dahl’s iconic stories being brought to life. Recently, stage adaptations of The Witches and The Enormous Crocodile opened to critical acclaim and sell-out shows, Paul King’s Wonka became an international box-office smash and Wes Anderson’s cinematic adaptation of Roald Dahl’s adult short story The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar received numerous plaudits including an Academy Award. Brand new publishing inspired by Roald Dahl’s The Twits by Greg James and Chris Smith landed in the Top 10 Children’s Hardback charts upon release, and fans the world over continue to devour Roald Dahl products and enjoy partnerships like The Twits and Charlie & The Chocolate Factory Afternoon Teas in London.

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Get ready for a summer of surprises as tpf deposits prize lockers across the UK. Typically associated with dropping-off parcels, these sleek safes allow shoppers to unlock exclusive prizes tailored to the summer of sport. Over three weekends in White City, Southampton, and Liverpool, tpf will blend digital and physical interaction to increase footfall into specific retail locations and drive brand engagement.  

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This interactive experience demonstrates the art of anticipation in brand activation. Positioned prominently at the front of John Lewis stores, the prize lockers immediately catch the eye of incoming shoppers. To participate, simply scan a QR code displayed on the prize lockers, which provides a unique entry code. Enter this code into the screen on the prize locker and the moment of reveal arrives, holding your breath to see if you win one of the prizes provided by John Lewis partner brands. This seamless build-up, infused with the possibility of winning incredible prizes, transforms a routine shop into an exhilarating rush. 

“The importance of brands interacting with their customers can’t be underestimated. To stand out from the crowd, retailers need to engage with their customers in innovative and unexpected ways. We’ve loved working with one of the UK’s most trusted brands, John Lewis, to deliver unique prize-winning competitions in their branches across the country.” 

tpf

Maintaining brand relevance in an evolving retail landscape is crucial. By combining a physical prize locker with a digital entry process, the campaign offers a modern consumer experience. Blending the convenience of smartphone technology with the tactile pleasure of in-store shopping, this hybrid model exemplifies the next generation of promotional activities.  

The selection of prizes, provided by John Lewis partner brands, is designed to celebrate the summer of sports. With the Ooni Fyra Pizza Oven, winners can enjoy outdoor gatherings and homemade pizzas while watching their favourite sports. The Therabody massage guns are ideal for recovering from intense sports activities, while the Caudalie Oil Elixir bundle offers a luxurious remedy for self-care. This selection not only complements the sporting season, but also encourages customers to trial new products.

Through the endowment effect, shoppers participating in this activation feel a stronger sense of ownership and value toward the prizes as they interact with both digital and physical elements. This effect ensures that shoppers not only cherish their prizes but also develop a lasting bond with the brand. 

A simple yet unique scan-to-win mechanic saw prize lockers placed in prominent store locations. It was uplifting to see the delight on peoples’ faces when winning a prize. The genuine reactions exemplify the opportunity to drive true brand affinity.

tpf

The possibility of unlocking a prize drives shoppers to John Lewis stores, boosting footfall and creating a lively shopping environment. This engagement strategy not only increases immediate sales but also reinforces John Lewis’s reputation as a premier retail destination. tpf’s prize locker demonstrates the shift towards experiential retail, combining digital convenience with in-store excitement.

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Aside from matters of family, love, and religion, little else raises more passion on a global scale than sport. They stand as the ultimate uniter and divider in the realm of entertainment. With Summer 2024 poised to deliver one of the biggest sporting calendars in recent years, featuring the Olympics in Paris, the Euros in Germany and Champions League in London, a new era of marketing approaches. To examine the meteoric rise of live fan experiences, and what to expect from sports marketing in 2024, IPM sits down with its latest member, C-Screens, the largest provider of Out-Of-Home Screens in the UK. C-Screens will be bringing multiple pop-up screening events, showing live premium sports all day, from iconic bustling city centres through to high end shopping districts such as Covent Garden. Equipped with large state of the art high-definition LED screens and multiple unique activation spaces, C-Screens offers ready-made sporting havens, heralding the future of live fan experiences. But first, let’s remind ourselves why 2024 is so special for sports. 

Summer of Sports 2024

• 2023 set a precedent for the UK, with major sporting events injecting a remarkable £373 million into the national economy, as researched by UK Sport.

• This figure is set to soar with the Guardian heralding this summer 2024 as “one for the ages”, referring to the extraordinary line-up of sporting events.

• The Olympics are set for Paris, with the Champions League final in London. Dublin will host the Europa League Final, and England is a strong contender in the European Championship. The year features two T20 World Cups, The Open Championship, Tour de France, Wimbledon, and the British Grand Prix, among other major events.

• This pivotal moment in sports is also a turning point for marketing. The industry is poised to revolutionise how fans experience, enjoy, and engage with sports.

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With this high concentration of major sporting events, fan experiences are expected to reach peak interest during the summer period. Originally designed to extend the live sports experience beyond the stadium to a wider audience, fan zones emerged in the early 2000s around major football tournaments. These unique brand experiences have since become more than just places to watch sports. They are now immersive hubs of excitement, “bringing the party to the people,” as described by the Paris 2024 sports minister, Amelie Oudea-Castera. By combining the power of the big screen alongside a brand activation can provide a valuable addition to immersive experiences. C-Screens partnership with Multiplay attracted bigger than ever audiences with its free, outdoor live gaming event that featured a knockout style football tournament on the giant screens, streamed simultaneously across multiple locations.

“Today, sports is all about the experience. It’s not just watching a game but feeling part of it, no matter where you are. This evolution has opened up new avenues for engaging with content and creating moments that bring fans together.”

Robert Hicks, CEO, C-Screens

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C-Screens as a modern outdoor broadcaster has a clear goal to entertain consumers and can help brands and agencies facilitate a wide range of brand engagement activations and lifestyle content, as well as offering opportunities with on-site retailing. The effectiveness of these captivating environments stems from the extended dwell time of audiences engrossed in the action on the big screens, providing an optimal setting for impactful and emotionally charged consumer interactions.

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Enlivening Spaces, Engaging Minds

With key sporting milestones compressed between May and September this Summer, live-screening experiences are one of the hottest trends in marketing right now. C-Screens stands at the forefront of this movement, providing solutions for official sport sponsors as well as catering for those who are just dipping their toes into the world of sport to engage in new and creative ways with a sport loving audience. As the latest addition to the IPM Community, C-Screens extends a warm invitation to fellow IPM members to help support their promotional and brand experiences this sporting season. If you’re interested in exploring what’s possible, please get in touch with hello@c-screens.com

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With just over 1 week remaining until the entry deadline for the prestigious IPM Awards 2024, the time to shine is now. This is your opportunity to showcase your outstanding work, celebrate your achievements, and stand a chance to claim one of the highly sought-after IPM trophies.

After the resounding success of last year’s event, which saw a sell-out crowd, it’s evident that the promotional marketing industry is brimming with remarkable campaigns. These campaigns play a pivotal role in driving brand success, fostering customer loyalty and engagement, and, of course, boosting sales.

Whether your expertise lies in promotional incentive campaigns, competitions, immersive experiential initiatives, or collaborative brand partnerships, the IPM Awards categories cater to a diverse range of accomplishments.

Its time to get moving; the deadline is Wednesday, May 8th, at 4:00 PM.

Don’t miss out on the chance to be recognised for your excellence in promotional marketing.

Enter the IPM Awards 2024 today and take your place among industry trailblazers.

For all category information visit https://theipm.org.uk/awards-2024/

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Multi-award-winning creative brand experience agency N2O is transforming an existing hair salon in the Capital into an immersive space for consumers to experience a secret product line.

Consumers can book free appointments with expert hair stylists without knowing the brand behind their finished look. The four-step process includes shampoo, conditioner, serum, and oil before finishing with a blow-dry and style of choice. They’ll then be invited to head down the salon’s stairs to the reveal tunnel to discover the brand behind their ultra glossy salon look! Goody bags of all products used will be given away to all who have a treatment at Salon X.

Clare James, Chief Operating Officer at N2O, said: “What an exciting campaign to be a part of! Usually, an experience is about immersing yourself in the brand from the get-go, but this time, we’re keeping it a secret right until the last moment, with a big reveal at the end.”

Free appointments – which are available from 10.30am Tuesday 16^th April to 7pm Sunday 21^st April – can be booked at here

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