Sun Bum approached us at Northbanks to create a visually engaging and interactive experience that would capture their Californian essence.
The
Challenge
As Sun Bum looked to expand their presence into the UK and European markets, they sought a fun and inviting pop-up activation to introduce the brand to new audiences. They approached us at Northbanks to create a visually engaging and interactive experience that would capture their Californian essence while educating people on sun protection.
- Concept Design & development
- Project Management
- Consultancy
- Manufacture
- Permits & Approvals
- Activation
our approach
To bring their vision to life, we transformed an old-school ice cream van, wrapping it in their signature ‘banana yellow’ and adorning it with their logo and branding. We extended this branding across sun chairs, parasols, and even a ping pong table to reinforce the laid-back, beach-inspired aesthetic.
To add an authentic Californian touch, we introduced frozen chocolate-dipped bananas with a variety of toppings. While visitors queued for their treats, Sun Bum’s team engaged them in conversations about sun protection, highlighting the importance of proper skincare in different climates. To further drive brand engagement, we encouraged attendees to post on social media using designated hashtags in exchange for free Sun Bum products.
The
Solution
As the brand wanted to use this activation for US campaigns, we maximised the US appeal by selecting iconic British locations, including Leicester Square, a quintessential beach, and Brighton. While we didn’t manage to get on a runway with a British Airways plane in the background, we did secure the British Airways i360 in Brighton as a backdrop—something we all felt was the next best thing!
The pop-up launched in London’s Leicester Square before moving to Spitalfields Market in Liverpool Street. From there, the van travelled to the Kent coast and culminated its journey on Brighton Beach.
Additionally, we implemented a cross-marketing campaign to drive footfall to Sun Bum’s physical retail locations, such as Selfridges. This was achieved by offering exclusive in-store promotions and discounts to those who engaged with the pop-up and shared their experience online. This helped to further establish the brand within the UK market and boost sales at key retail partners.
The
Result
The activation generated strong footfall and social engagement across every location, with frozen bananas selling out within the first two hours each day. The combination of experiential sampling, social interaction and cross-retail promotion helped introduce Sun Bum to new UK audiences while reinforcing its playful Californian identity.
Looking Ahead
As more fast-growing brands turn to us for brand experiences, we look forward to continuing to design and deliver experiential pop ups that captivate and inspire.
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