Fresh Fire

Today is National Lipstick Day but what does your favourite colour say about you?

#nationallipstickday #hudabeauty #harveynichols

We recently helped with the successful launch of the exclusive Huda Beauty range at Harvey Nichols Beauty Bazaar in Liverpool One. Today is National Lipstick day which gives you the opportunity to wear your favourite colour, but what does it say about you?

Purple: You may be mysterious and quiet but you are also sophisticated and intelligent. You are often the wild card in a friendship group and know spontaneity is the spice of life.

Burgundy: This shade signals confidence and sense of purpose. However, you may lean to being more reserved but you know where you are going and what you want.

Red: You are confident, bold, self-assured and don’t mind being the centre of attention. You are passionate, romantic and have a sense of adventure.

Hot Pink: You are bubbly, energetic and exude a sense of playfulness with a high energy level that subtly hints at a mischievous side.

Light Pink: You have a positive outlook on life and are extremely optimistic, love the outdoors and are youthful at heart.

Nude: You may be a little of the reserved side but are extremely warm and caring. You always put effort into your appearance.

Ice made the launch of the exclusive Huda Beauty range at Harvey Nichols Beauty Bazaar in Liverpool One a thing of beauty.

The ask, create an impactful launch activation that would drive customers into store to the new Huda Beauty counter. Our answer was to give both the store and customers a vibrant makeover.

In the heart of Liverpool One and near to the store we built a striking selfie cube, a backdrop for customers to pose, click and upload their pics to #HudaBeautyxHN. The Huda Beauties encouraged customers to download the Harvey Nichols Rewards app and with a Rewards download or social post customers received a scratch card and won a prize to redeem in store.

Customers followed a trail of lamp post signs to the Beauty Bazaar with its Huda Beauty make over take over, with statement lips in iconic ‘Power Bullet’ shades dotted over the store windows, pops of colour against a glow of pink light, along with exterior signage to ensure Liverpool knew that Huda Beauty has arrived.

Lip floor vinyls led the way, leading customers into store, to experience areas on the First Floor, and then to the new Huda Beauty counter.

First stop was a showcase of the Power Bullet lipstick against an Instagram worthy backdrop designed to look like the Power Bullet packaging, a stunning lightbox, branded Directors chairs, wall vinyl’s and stylish product plinths. Huda make-up artists were on hand to introduce customers to the beauty brand and colour match.

Next the eye-catching lash bar where customers could have their Huda lashes applied by the professional artists.

In the third experience area we used logos and lips, to make over the Studio where customers could try out the brand’s best sellers and book in for a Huda Beauty makeover. Finally, more lips vinyls led the way to the new Huda Beauty counter where they could purchase product and receive a lip-smacking treat, a lip shaped lolly colour matched to the Power Bullet palette.

Did our unique blend of product trial and customer journey create a memorable customer experience? Word of mouth says it did. “A huge thank you for all you’ve done to launch Huda at Beauty Bazaar – it’s been so lovely to work with you! We’re beyond happy with how the store looks and the launch overall, big credit to you all”. Kelly Edgington Press and Marketing Manager

Canadian rapper, Drake, landed in the UK to take up residency at The O2 from the 1^st April to the 11^th April to perform 7 gigs to his UK fanbase. In his well-known song God’s Plan, he raps “And you know me, turn The O2 into The O3”. This gave our client, O2, the idea to do something special for Drake and his fans, to make God’s Plan a reality. The idea being to change the sign outside the venue from The O2 to the O3 for the duration of Drake’s London tour.

But the big question being asked is… Who put the 3 in The O3?

You guessed right, it was us! We were commissioned to organise and project manage the manufacture and installation of the new signage at The O2. The whole project required a great deal of planning and organisation within a very quick turnaround time. Working alongside our signage partner we took the idea and handled the process from start to finish, including site survey, working drawings and arranging out of hours installation. At the crack of dawn our team removed the 2 from the sign and secretly put up the 3 ready for the big reveal in the morning.

The signage change has drummed up a lot of attention on social media with even Drake himself posting a picture of the O3 sign on his Instagram with the caption ‘Turn it’.

War Child BRITs Week together with O2

Ice has supported O2 and its collaboration with War Child since their first concert in 2012 and proud to continue our support to this day.

What started out as just one concert has grown into War Child BRITs Week together with O2, a series of intimate gigs featuring global artists like Ed Sheeran and Coldplay.

This year’s line up included Jess Glynne, Ann-Marie, Jake Bugg, Tom Walker and The 1975, to name just a few.

Through BRITs week, War Child has raised over £4m and helps children in 9 countries around the world affected by conflict.

As O2’s event and branding agency, we’ve helped theme and manage the BRITs Week concerts since their initial involvement. We’re full of admiration for War Child and O2 and very pleased for the opportunity to help in our small way.

From attention grabbing gameshows to the event takeover of RFID wristbands, Ice relishes the yearly challenge of the Dixons Carphone Conference. This year was another tremendous success in the creation of an O2 stand that drove engagement and presented the brand’s consumer offerings to store managers of Dixons, Carphone Warehouse, PC World and Currys.

With no time to waste, Ice took on the challenge to create yet another outstanding activation with a brief to deliver an original and captivating stand that highlighted the key benefits of O2 Priority.

Held at Liverpool’s Exhibition Centre with over 1,800 senior managers in attendance, the ask was to create a winning stand and unmatched experience for delegates that would steal the show from the other exhibitors. The Ice team got straight to work and created a custom-made prize mechanic acting as an immersive platform in which to share the features of O2 Priority. Showcasing the latest O2 brand assets for the campaign; “Breathe it all in”, a beaming cosmic wall of Priority prizes took centre stage enticing passers-by. As each delegate approached, they were greeted by an O2 angel and offered a lanyard laminate brimming with memorable takeaways detailing the core principles of the O2 brand.

Once they had stepped up to the top of the dazzling O2 “blue carpet”, guests were invited to take part in the O2 Priority Wall of Prizes by answering a question about the O2 brand to win a sought-after prize. Winnings were inspired by O2 Priority app favourites featuring Café Nero vouchers and Thorntons chocolates as well as a select few “Star Prizes” which gave participants the opportunity to win Apple Air Pods or even a pair of gig tickets to an O2 Academy.

The signature Ice blend of brand awareness, user experience and shareable event content created a memorable experience for participants at the Dixons Carphone Conference 2018.

Following the success of the brand activation, an evening of entertainment was hosted in the bespoke-made “O2 Bluebar”. A space complete with balloon archways and edible mist orbs for guests to enjoy and celebrate the day’s event.

Every year, the Ice team work hard to create an overarching experience for guests to the Dixons Carphone Conference, strengthening the relationship between delegates and the O2 brand. An integrated event with a brilliant user experience and impactful outcome, the approach by the team at Ice goes beyond the corporate framework of a trade show, creating a balanced, experience-led stand building the core messages of the O2 brand into its structure. We just can’t wait to see what 2019 might have instore!

Year on year, Ice has successfully created an impactful experiential event for the Co-op Annual Trade Briefing. From the development of the initial concept to delivery, the team at Ice has designed and managed a streamlined and engaging exhibition for suppliers and colleagues, telling the story of the Co-op brand. 2018’s Trade Briefing was no exception as the Ice Events team created an enchanting atmosphere complete with falling snow flakes, adorned fir trees and swathes of alpine archways leading guests into a festive Christmas marketplace. This much anticipated annual event has developed over the past three years so let’s take a look back at how the success of this creative conference has evolved.

In 2016, Co-op relaunched their household brand and asked Ice to create a captivating and immersive event highlighting their premium food range; Irresistible. As a yearly conference attended by over 800 partners, the Ice team got straight to work crafting a tempting Festival of Food experience. The exhibition invited guests into a bustling marketplace to explore new and innovative Co-op developments due to be launched instore. The event was complemented by the copywriting, design and production of a 20 page brochure by Ice which revealed the highlights of the day’s proceedings. At the heart of the marketplace was a Central Hub and small theatre where presentations were held on Co-op’s rebrand objectives and business initiatives.

2017 gave way to a very British affair with home grown produce at its core, conjuring up the humming thorough fair of a trendy east London street on market day. Set in the iconic venue of Victoria Warehouse in Manchester, the Ice brief was to reimagine a celebration of the diversity of modern British culture to ignite conversation around the varied range of Co-op’s Irresistible food brand. Insight was taken from the hip street markets of Britain’s capital city, whilst contemporary trends in food culture were employed to create an unparalleled experience designed to entice Trade Briefing guests. An array of exhibition stands conveyed Co-op’s sustainable and ethical values as well as company goals for the coming year. With its local street charm, this festival of British food was the ideal setting for colleagues and trade partners to connect whilst having a community feel and delectable market flavour.

This year, a seasonal experience was briefed with an added sprinkling of Christmas magic. Tailored as a Christmas Food Festival, 2018’s conference was reminiscent of European Christmas markets and celebrated a collaboration of cultures uniting in the food markets of Britain. The event acted as a showcase for Co-op’s key campaign of 2018; ‘The Year of Eating Together’ and its primary challenge was to ensure that the venue of Manchester Exchange Hall underwent a transformation from corporate event space to a wintry and festive bazaar. In true Christmas market style, alpine lodges serving confections and hot beverages were festooned in twinkling Christmas lights bringing to life a delightful, seasonal atmosphere.

Through the years, Ice has been tasked with taking the guests of the Annual Trade Briefing on a journey with Co-op. From providing support in the repositioning of Co-op in their brand relaunch to discovering the key messaging and hero products of the year. The Ice team has invited Co-op conference guests to network and strengthen their relationships with trade partners as they navigate the tantalising delights of Co-op’s food range, ethics and brand values.