The summer’s over and the days are getting shorter, but that doesn’t mean you can’t run a seasonal campaign that draws a crowd. In fact, November and December are peak shopping months – so it’s the perfect time to get your brand seen!
Read on for advice on seasonal campaigns, including some of the best promotional vehicles for this inclement time of year.
Cold, wet weather can work in your favour if you provide something like a free drink, set with cosy seating or a heated space inside a bus or Airstream. This reprieve saves guests having to visit an expensive coffee shop – and they may just spend more time engaging with your brand.
A free sampling campaign can create a lot of goodwill, generating plenty of images and videos to use on social media. Think smiling faces, even as the weather turns.
Seasonal campaigns often work best in the lead-up to Christmas, and it’s no wonder, given the number of people who take to the high street. A fully branded wrap will help entice guests over and get them into the festive spirit, but it’s the experience itself that will make your brand the highlight of their day!
Look to SHEIN’s Christmas 2024 Countdown. With multiple vehicles, games and freebies to take home, this fashion brand went all-on with the seasonal fun. Even Santa and his elves made an appearance!
A promotional vehicle is what truly brings your campaign to life. Here are some of the best ones for this time of year.
In summer, everyone wants a bright, airy event in the sunshine. In autumn and winter, however, the spacious double-decker bus comes into its own. Customisable over two floors and easily fitted out with everything from makeup stations and nail bars to sampling stations and claw machines, the double-decker is popular for all kinds of seasonal campaigns.
Like SHEIN, Yankee Candle used a double-decker to set up their own winter wonderland, complementing their bus with Christmas trees to set the scene, and a red and white awning so guests could grab a freebie in comfort.
Want to create a sheltered, walk-in experience? There’s nothing more unique than the classic Airstream. This timeless promotional vehicle features a large hatch to reveal the experience inside, comes in different sizes, and offers a spacious interior – ideal for shelves, tech stations and more with a fully branded backdrop.
In our experience, Airstreams always draw a crowd and this can mean long lines as curious guests join the queue.
Our smaller vehicles are simply perfect for indoor brand campaigns, and you can do a lot with them! The nimble Piaggio Ape is a wonderful example of this, featuring a box-like rear that can be customised however you want. This vehicle can navigate tight streets and indoor venues, but there’s plenty of space for storage and product displays.
This Piaggio Ape (below) was fitted out for Liberty London to promote the release of their beauty advent calendar. We built the vehicle to look exactly like the product they were selling, for a mobile talking point at the end of summer.
Whether it’s an indoor or outdoor brand campaign, this unapologetically French vehicle is built for serving and sampling. It boasts a bug-like front cab and a rectangular body with space for staff to provide as many treats as your campaign needs.
The charming Renault Estafette acts as a moving beverage and snack space. We recommend this vehicle for a ‘grab and go’ type of activation, as it can lead to loads of attention without having to go mad with campaign extras.
If you want the multi-floor experience of a double-decker but with a vintage style, look no further than the classic Routemaster. With plenty of customisable space and a roof to protect your activation from bad weather, it’s a great option for brands aiming to go big with their campaigns.
Universal Pictures hired a Routemaster and on-board conductor for their winter movie, ‘Last Christmas’. See our festive case study for more info and pictures.
Running an outdoor activation? Don’t let the wind and rain ruin the day! We recommend looking at branded parasols and gazebo tents for a sheltered setup.
Take FENTY for example: they created a wonderful beauty space where guests could try the latest products before grabbing a drink at the US postal van café.
If you’d like to run a similar event, you can customise and buy these promotional items over at our online store. Simply browse our outdoor display items to get started!
Some brands prefer to build awareness indoors with a space takeover. This ensures a warmer environment and lots of foot traffic, no matter the weather outside. Possible venues include train stations, shopping centres, trade shows and exhibitions.
When choosing an indoor venue, it’s worth considering:
You’ll also want to look at peak times for visitors. Monday mornings may be bustling with commuters, but weekend afternoons will be better for families and shoppers with cash to burn. For more advice, visit our beginner's guide to indoor activations.
Seasonal campaigns have to be just as lively at the end of the day as they were at the start. But with shorter days and cold weather, that can be a struggle! Promotional staff can keep spirits high and ensure the weather never puts a dampener on the event.
From brand ambassadors to baristas and caterers, your team sets the tone for the whole experience. That’s why we offer promotional staffing support alongside our vehicles – so you never have to worry about getting the help you need!
With many moving parts and so much to consider, it’s easy for your activation to spin out of control. But not so with Promohire! We’ve run many big seasonal campaigns over the years and can provide all the support you need to make an impact.
If you’re running a Christmas campaign, these 7 creative ideas will help you hit the ground running. Otherwise, we recommend checking out our main support services, which are especially designed to make your life easier!
Click below to discover how we can make you the hero at this time of year.