backdrops

Australian multivitamin brand Swisse launched a traveling, wellness-focused activation at Wanderlust 108—a public yoga, running, and meditation event series—on September 9 at Brooklyn’s Prospect Park. The activation, which was produced by Mirrorball, had a Detox Platform section with chair massages. The area featured hanging Spanish artichokes, an ingredient found in the Swisse Liver Detox Ultiboost product. 

The Human Rights Campaign’s 22nd annual H.R.C. National Dinner took place September 15 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington. A photo booth in the Wells Fargo "Equality" lounge showcased the company's sponsorship of an exhibit at the Newseum opening in March 2019, called "Rise Up: Stonewall and the LGBTQ Rights Movement—50th Anniversary (1969-2019)." The photo booth featured a backdrop of newsprint with headlines from the time period, accented by a neon rainbow.

Cashmere Bathroom Tissue held its 15th annual fashion show, which raises funds for the Canadian Cancer Society’s breast cancer research, on September 25 at Arcadian Court in Toronto. The event featured 15 models wearing couture dresses made of bathroom tissue, created by Canada-based designers. And to celebrate the collection’s 15th anniversary, Toronto diamond jeweler Kimberfire donated more than 60,000 crystals, which were incorporated into the dresses. 

U.K.-based kitchen appliance brand Russell Hobbs held an event for its U.S. launch with brand ambassador Kate Beckinsale on September 12 at NoMo Kitchen in New York. The British-theme event, which was produced by Freddie Georges Production Group, showcased brand appliances and served beverages to guests in floral teacups. Additional photo ops included a branded floral wall and red telephone booth. Florals were handled by Rachel Cho Floral Design, and the P.R. and event concept were helmed by Lippe Taylor.

Food Network Magazine celebrated its 10th anniversary with an event that took place at Abigail Kirsch Pier Sixty, The Lighthouse & Current in New York on September 13. The event’s “birthday cake” was created with cans of Pillsbury crescent rolls, topped with three baked crescents shaped to create the number 10. Rubik Marketing designed the event installations.

The event served macarons with flavors inspired by Sherwin-Williams paint colors. The colors and flavors were labeled in a color palette wall.

Samuel Adams recently opened a pop-up shop in Toronto that highlights four Canadian small businesses the brand considers innovative. The Queen West space, which opened September 20 and runs through October 14, is open to the public and invites guests to purchase products from eyewear brand Loch, no-tie shoelaces Xpand Laces, loungewear brand Soft Focus, and leather bags and travel accessories brand 8.1.2. Additionally, guests can sample exclusive Samuel Adams beers from a branded bar. The activation was executed by the brand in partnership with Craft Public Relations.

As part of the financial services company’s partnership with the Seattle Seahawks, American Express hosted a pregame activation for cardmembers and football fans on September 23, before a game against the Dallas Cowboys. The activation, located in a space near CenturyLink Field in Seattle, featured a throne fashioned from footballs and Seahawks helmets. Momentum Worldwide produced the activation. 

The activation featured a “Wings Of Their Own” mural, created by local Seattle artist Angelina Villalobos, which invited guests to pose in front of wings painted in the Seahawks colors. The wings featured “feathers” signed by former Seahawks players.

Essence held an end-of-summer consumer event celebrating fashion, culture, and community on September 9 at Duggal Greenhouse in Brooklyn. The event featured 90 local vendors and nine local food trucks, along with talent including Amanda Seales, Yemi Alade, Teyana Taylor, and segments from Macy’s and Nike. An eye-catching photo op in the venue spelled out the name of the magazine in colorful block letters and included a life-size blue and purple compact mirror. Event production and design elements were helmed by April Luca of Gold Sky Productions and Jovanca Maitland, director of live events and experiential at Essence.

The pop-up featured a group of large butterfly murals that represented the Metamorphosis collection. 

Halo Top celebrated the opening of its new Scoop Shop at the Grove in Los Angeles in August with installations inspired by the brand’s ice cream flavors and containers. Designed by Shiraz Creative, the three installations were inspired by Halo Top’s rainbow swirl, strawberry, and birthday cake flavors. The rainbow installation featured a swing; the strawberry installation mimicked a hot air balloon; and the birthday cake installation had a colorful ball pit. 

The activation also featured a Pop Art-inspired wall embedded with the fast-food company's logo that served as a photo backdrop for guests. 

McDonald’s held an activation at RocNation’s annual Made In America music festival, which took place September 1 and 2 at the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia. The event featured a mural with yellow illustrations inspired by the brand, commissioned by artist Timothy Goodman. Narrative Group produced the activation.