19 Truly Unexpected Ways to Display a Product

Why not transform your product into a piece of art? This approach not only elevates the product but also integrates it seamlessly into the aesthetic of the event—encouraging guests to appreciate both its form and function. We loved this 2021 example from sunglasses company goodr, where illuminated sunglasses hung from the ceiling in an eye-catching, artistic way. The internal goodr team worked with Experiential Supply Co. on the design and build-out. See more: How This Experiential Retail Store Is Engaging Consumers in Out-of-the-Box Ways

Toilet paper isn't necessarily associated with the glamour of New York Fashion Week, but in 2016, Cottonelle hosted an offshoot event that showcased its product in a creative, decorative way. The toilet paper brand created a beauty lounge that offered pampering, photo ops, gift bags, and small bites for celebrities, media, and influencers—plus, a feature wall created with rolls of toilet paper, which was designed by BMF. Along with serving as an ornamental element, the wall was a backdrop for a photo booth that encouraged guests to pose with hygiene-related confessional signs. See more: See a Decorative Toilet-Paper Wall Created for New York Fashion Week

In early 2024, Doritos celebrated its new nacho cheese-flavored spirit, in partnership with Empirical, with a design-forward event presented by Eater. More than 300 guests were welcomed by glowing, red Doritos-like triangles, made from neon and LED lighting, which hung from the venue's ceiling. Vox Media worked with creative agency Mythical Creatures on the event's design and production. See more: This Stylish Launch Party Used Doritos as Decor (Yes, Really)

Paint containers—2,710 of them, to be exact—were used for a 2017 event that celebrated a partnership between Martha Stewart and craft store Michaels. To showcase the versatility of the new products, David Stark Design and Production built a colorful house façade out of bottles of home decor paint and watercolor craft paint. Guests were invited to grab paintbrushes from window boxes, then go to work painting everything inside the house—including rugs, couches, lampshades, duvet covers, nightstands and more. See more: See a House Made of 2,710 Bottles of Martha Stewart Paint

Go big or go home! Creating a larger-than-life replica of your product can make a dramatic impact. These oversize versions become instant focal points and talking pieces, encouraging attendees to snap pictures and share them on social media—thus extending the reach of your event. At the 2021 goodr event, for example, a massive pair of sunglasses drew passersby to the space. See more: How This Experiential Retail Store Is Engaging Consumers in Out-of-the-Box Ways

Why have one oversize product... when you can have 10,000? At the 2021 Robin Hood Benefit in New York, guests entered the event through the “Turnstiles Gateway to Opportunity,” a tunnel of thousands of oversize MetroCards, each with a $33 value, which were later distributed to Robin Hood community partners—ultimately providing 120,000 rides to get New Yorkers back to work. See more: Robin Hood Benefit 2021: See What It Takes to Produce New York's Largest Annual Benefit

In 2023, Frito-Lay Canada hosted the “Wild Wild Cheetle,” a wild-bucking Cheetos bull for fans to ride in Calgary. Located within a Frito-Lay Bullpen, the giant mechanical “bull” let fans take a ride before enjoying cheekily named snacks including the “Cheetos Was His Nameo” hot dog, the “Ruffles Cruncharoo” sandwich, and the “Yippe Ki Lay’s” doughnuts. Frito-Lay Canada worked with creative agency Motive on the activation.

Let attendees interact with your product in a hands-on way. Interactive displays not only make the product more memorable but also deepen the understanding of its use and benefits. A standout example comes from Glow Recipe's night market-inspired celebration of skincare and Korean culture, held last fall in partnership with Sephora. A timeline booth showcased Glow Recipe’s 10-year history and featured a number of interactive moments (like a vending machine, plus this fun spot where guests rang a bell and then were misted by Glow Recipe’s Watermelon Mist). The event was produced in collaboration with experiential marketing firm MKG. See more: This Skincare Brand Took Guests on a Multisensory Journey Through Its 10-Year History

Here's an oldie but a goodie: In 2015, GoGo squeeZ promoted its on-the-go applesauce pouches with a custom, interactive vending machine that launched its products into the air. Dubbed the "Goodness Machine," the structure resembled the brand's signature snack packet. Kids were invited to catch the flying packets by pushing a button on the machine, which activated a launching mechanism that shot out an applesauce packet—attached to a mini parachute—from the top. The activation also incorporated a social media and video element, with a custom video recorder that recorded kids interacting with the machine. The structure was designed by MKG and built by Square Design. See more: See How a Brand Took Its Flying Snacks on Tour

Natura Bissé's Casa Hollywood activation in February featured a new gastro-beauty experience called Taste of Beauty, which allowed guests to reconnect with their five senses and the brand's skincare products. The multisensory journey unfolded across three immersive stations: "Feel," "Create," and "Enjoy." Guests explored the textures and aromas that define the brand's Diamond Collection, witnessing how skincare craftsmanship and culinary mastery share a common thread. See more: This Skincare Brand Created an Oasis of Wellness in the Wake of LA's Wildfires

Utilize elements of surprise and delight to create an unforgettable experience and get people talking. We love this fun example from Dunkin', which partnered with Chicago comedy theater The Second City to produce “The Second City and Dunkin’ Present: Ring Lights & Lattes" improv show last fall. During a media preview, guests could ring a bell to get a latte martini, handed to them by floating, gloved hands.

Most folks don’t eat their sandwiches with a fork and knife. But Subway's Fresh Immersive Dinner in February changed that! The multisensory, invite-only dining experience featured the fast-food restaurant’s ingredients in unexpected ways with a five-course meal. One of our favorite moments? Scent vials representing each dish, which were found at each place setting. The internal Subway team worked alongside partners Circle Public Relations and FleishmanHillard to bring the experience to life. See more: Why Subway Hosted a Fancy Five-Course Meal

Place your product in settings that evoke nostalgia or everyday familiarity. This strategy not only captures attention but also makes the product relatable and desirable by tapping into shared experiences and emotions. In March, for example, Maybelline New York popped up in Vancouver at the CF Pacific Centre mall to launch its latest lip line: Super Stay Teddy Tint. The eye-catching activation allowed consumers to interact with various elements that brought the Maybelline New York brand to life, including vibrant Vancouver cityscape decor and subway-themed motifs that aligned with the brand's NYC origins—all featuring different shades of pink. The activation was executed by The Concierge Club.

Last summer, IKEA debuted its dreamy "sleepeasy," a whimsical ode to a good night's sleep. The clever pop-up features immersive rooms showcasing how the right mix of comfort, light, air, and more can transform your sleep—and how IKEA products can help. Guests entered the experience through a hidden door found inside a reimagined Swedish bodega—a nod to both the brand's origins and NYC's ubiquitous bodegas—where guests could shop for small IKEA products including drinks, snacks, and home products. QR codes throughout the space made it easy for guests to make purchases on site, both in the bodega and throughout the activation. See more: IKEA’s Dreamy ‘Sleepeasy’ Is a Whimsical Ode to a Good Night’s Sleep

In late 2024, New York's Bowery Street subway station transformed into the “O Line," a nod to singer Olivia Rodrigo’s hit “Obsessed." Every element of the subway nodded to Sony’s latest LinkBuds campaign with Rodrigo—including the stop list, which replaced destinations with the track list for GUTS. See more: See Inside Olivia Rodrigo’s Purple-Filled NYC Subway Takeover

In January, plant-based food company Daiya introduced its dairy-free pies with a clever activation inspired by old-school video rental stores. The ‘90s-inspired pizza “rental store” allowed New Yorkers to “try before they buy” a slice from Daiya’s new pizza line, which is made with the brand’s dairy-free cheese that features Daiya's Oat Cream Blend. Instead of checking out a movie, visitors browsed a selection of VHS boxes (minus the tapes) that corresponded to Daiya’s pizza flavors. They then were able to take their picks to the counter to exchange for their chosen slice. Daiya partnered with Manifest in the creation of the concept and visual identity. Factory360 was the brand’s production partner for the build. See more: Find Out How Daiya Let New Yorkers ‘Rent’ a Slice of Its New Pizza

Why not give your product the museum treatment it deserves? Displaying it on an actual pedestal highlights the product's importance and value, and invites attendees to view it as a prized piece worthy of admiration and respect. At the IKEA "Sleepeasy," for example, products were placed on museum-like pedestals, and fun facts about sleep were displayed on the walls. See more: IKEA’s Dreamy ‘Sleepeasy’ Is a Whimsical Ode to a Good Night’s Sleep

In 2022, Veuve Clicquot celebrated 250 years with Solaire Culture, the company's first-ever global traveling exhibition. The experience evoked Veuve Clicquot’s legacy through a variety of installations—including works from 10 woman artists who were asked to create original pieces inspired by Madame Clicquot and the Champagne house. The exhibition featured museum-like rooms that highlighted the history of the brand. More than 80 archival objects and historical pieces were on display—and in one photo op-friendly room, bottles were treated like works of art. See more: Veuve Clicquot Celebrated 250 Years by Honoring Its Audacious Namesake

To kick off its yearlong 75th anniversary campaign in 2016, M&M's celebrated the milestone with a media and consumer event that offered guests an inside look at the residences of the brand's six "Spokescandies": Red, Yellow, Ms. Green, Blue, Orange, and Ms. Brown. The New York event featured six stylish rooms inspired by the personalities and the colors of the brand's Spokescandies, which have appeared in commercials and advertising campaigns. As the green-colored M&M is billed as having star quality and a fabulous, flirty demeanor, for example, the green room included eye-popping wallpaper, framed glamour shots of the character's fake magazine covers, and a green vanity with green makeup. Jack Morton Worldwide oversaw creative direction and strategy for the event. See more: Why M&M's Built a Color-Coordinated House of Candy