How do you communicate your value in a sector that’s notoriously hard to shout about? And, how do you get people to pay attention in the first place?
That was the core strategic challenge that informed our work with Age UK Norwich.
Marking their 80th birthday and on a mission to fundraise £80k this year, Age UK Norwich initially approached us about some simple event support.
But it didn’t take long to uncover a bigger story. An incredible legacy that deserved to be shared properly; in a way that demanded attention, cut through the noise, and made a lasting impact.
Cue: experiential marketing.
With brand experiences increasing emotional connection by an average of 60%, and purchase intention by 20% (ref: The Drum), we knew that a full-scale installation positioned right in the centre of Norwich, could deliver exactly that.
Bringing together our expertise across marketing consultancy, design, graphic production and carpentry, we got to work.
From Concept to Connection
We set about designing a bold, stand-out space. Something that couldn’t be ignored.
And with real-life connection in mind, we made sure it didn’t just tell the story, it actively invited people in. Each interactive ‘zone’ worked at a different speed, balancing a careful narrative between hope and the harsher realities faced in our community.
The result? A space that made people stop and pay attention. Conversations sparked. Donations were made. People walked away with new knowledge and Age UK top of mind.
The reach of the exhibition was extended further through a full multi-channel marketing campaign. From social media to email, PR and partnerships, to TV and radio coverage, these combined efforts meant Age UK could shout louder, reach new audiences, and amplify their important message.
But with any brand activation, the biggest benefits are long-term. In this case, more eyes and ears on Age UK Norwich means they’ll be more likely to come to mind when potential sponsors, donors, or service users are deciding where to turn, long into the future.
Dan Skipper, CEO of Age UK Norwich, summarised the event simply as ‘legendary’.
Power in Presence
We’ve seen brands of all sectors benefit from the ‘experiential edge’, from haircare to finance, to manufacturing.
Looking ahead, we expect to see the potential of brand activations continue growing alongside the rising ‘experience economy’. This reflects a shift in consumer behaviour as people seek meaningful experiences, which savvy brands can leverage as part of their marketing strategy.
It’s a shift we’ve been leaning into at Image Experiential. Pushing our creativity and capabilities, we’re crafting more immersive and memorable experiences for our clients.
And while you’ll find an activation on every corner in London, that’s not the case in Norwich… yet.
The Age UK space is just a glimpse of what’s possible when strategy, creativity, and purpose align in our city.
After all, Norwich is vibrant with creativity and home to some fantastic businesses. And in our growing ‘experience economy’, opportunity awaits. The ambitious brands who step into it will be the ones who stand out more, are hard to ignore, and impossible to forget.