Katie Deighton, senior reporter
My Game of Thrones fangirl status may leave me open to accusations of bias, however I truly believe HBO’s exhibition with Sky Atlantic at The O2 encapsulated everything a brand experience should be in 2015. When I visited it was clear from the vast variety of demographics there that the exhibit appealed to everyone - whether that be the die-hard fantasy geeks or Chelsea girls with a not-so-secret love of Jon Snow.
The exhibition featured augmented reality (AR) experiences, multiple selfie opportunities and exclusive access to the show’s costumes and props. The visitor journey culminated in a multi-sensory virtual reality (VR) set-up, which allowed guests to take a journey up the infamous Wall - the best example of effective, appropriate VR that I’ve seen so far.
Brea Carter, news editor
I was lucky enough to attend Absolut’s tech-focused Electrik London event in November, which promised ‘an exploration into the future of nightlife.’ A part of the brand’s global Absolut Nights offering, the event saw the brand unveil its limited edition Electrik bottles.
The sold-out event wasn’t simply a music gig. The event space – Bankside Vaults – was comprised of a number of different rooms, each of which offered a different experience. Highlights included the main dance floor area, which featured LED, motion reactive wall projects that changed in shape and colour in response to the DJ’s music, and a virtual reality (VR) led room created by Marshmellow Laser Feast. Here, attendees were welcomed by staff in futuristic outfits, and they donned VR headsets shaped like Absolut bottles, which transported them to another realm.
Georgi Gyton, acting associate editor
As a big fan of the show I feel FriendsFest offered almost all you could want from a fan experience, short of meeting the six main characters in person. The special exhibition, which opened to the public in September, comprised a very realistic replica of Monica’s apartment, including the famous framed spyhole in the apartment door, with the kitchen and lounge areas available for lucky ticketholders to explore and snap selfies in.
There were also photo opportunities in front of the water fountain in the show’s opening credits, Joey and Chandler’s living room and the Central Perk coffee shop, complete with the famous orange sofa. Elsewhere visitors could try on wedding dresses, have a go at busking in front of a New York cab just like Phoebe, or have their hair styled in ‘the Rachel’ do. Memorabilia was also showcased for those wanting to soak up a little more of the Friends history.
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