Joe Rivers on LinkedIn: Introducing Universal Epic Universe (2024)

As someone who tends to venture to cities across the globe, there is something special and serene about getting away from it all. My girlfriend Taylor Strickland and I ventured away to work remotely in West Virginia - a special shoutout to a friend who has a wonderful oasis of an Airbnb, thank you Brittney Leeb Scott! - and it dawned on me this particular topic after some inspirational conversation...Multi-Sensory Experiences of City Living vs. Being Out in Nature - this was exactly what I wanted to convey regarding experiential marketing. The most simplistic concept can be so complex when comparing and contrasting these ways of life.𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠𝘝𝘪𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘴:Architecture and Urban Landscape: Skyscrapers, busy streets, billboards, and neon signs create a dynamic and constantly changing visual environment.Crowds: The presence of people, vehicles, and public transportation contributes to a bustling, sometimes chaotic visual scene.𝘚𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘴:Traffic Noise: Constant sounds of cars, buses, and subways.Human Activity: Conversations, footsteps, street vendors, and urban wildlife (like pigeons).Construction: Frequent sounds of building and infrastructure development.𝘚𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘴:Food: Diverse aromas from restaurants, food trucks, and street vendors.Pollution: Emissions from vehicles and industrial activity.Nature: Occasionally, scents from parks, gardens, and urban green spaces.𝘛𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘦:Surfaces: A variety of textures from concrete, glass, metal, and asphalt.Weather: Exposure to urban heat islands or cooler shaded areas from buildings.𝘛𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦:Diverse Cuisines: Access to a wide array of global foods and street fare.Urban Farming: Fresh produce from city markets and community gardens.𝐁𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝘝𝘪𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘴:Natural Landscapes: Mountains, forests, rivers, lakes, and open skies provide expansive and calming views.Wildlife: Observing animals in their natural habitats, from birds to insects and mammals.Seasons: Changing colors and scenery throughout the year.𝘚𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘴:Natural Ambiance: Birdsong, rustling leaves, flowing water, and wind.Silence: The profound quietude, interrupted occasionally by natural sounds, offers a sense of peace.𝘚𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘴:Fresh Air: The clean, crisp scent of unpolluted air.Flora: Aromas from flowers, trees, and earth, often varying by season and weather.Water: Freshwater scents from lakes, rivers, and rain.𝘛𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘦:Natural Textures: The feel of grass, soil, tree bark, and water.Weather: Direct exposure to natural elements like sun, rain, and wind.𝘛𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦:Wild Foods: The taste of wild berries, fresh fish, or foraged herbs.Campfire Cooking: Simple, hearty meals cooked over an open flame.Both offer variety and immersive daily interactions. And yet, they have different stimulation levels and quality of sensory activation. A truly profound way of thinking and outlook!#experiential #immersive #experiences #behavorialmarketing

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The culmination of influencers, Cannes Lions, and overall B2B/B2C marketing.By seamlessly blending creativity with strategic networking, brands have created immersive experiences that allow ad executives to connect, collaborate, and innovate.Highlights include:🔹 Interactive Learning: Engaging sessions with industry leaders who shared insights on leveraging LinkedIn for effective B2B campaigns. 🔹 Real-Time Networking: Facilitated connections through tailored events, enabling meaningful conversations and potential partnerships. 🔹 Showcasing Success Stories: Presenting case studies that highlight the impactful use of LinkedIn's tools and services in driving B2B growth.LinkedIn's presence at Cannes Lions exemplifies how experiential marketing can redefine B2B interactions, fostering a community of innovation and collaboration. Marcus G. will dive into this more on Friday on our LinkedIn Live!#CannesLions2024 #B2BMarketing #ExperientialMarketing #LinkedIn #Innovation #Networking

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The next episode! The Evolution of Engagement with Marcus G., and myself. We will be discussing Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity and the upcoming activations throughout the summer.We also have some amazing things to recap from the past month as well as brand partnerships.Tune in on Friday at 12pm EST!#experiential #events #marketing #brandpartnerships #linkedinlive #thoughtleadership

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What makes something immersive in experiential?1. 𝘔𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘪-𝘚𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘌𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵:𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥: High-quality visuals, including interactive displays, VR/AR, and creative aesthetics.𝐀𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲: Music, sound effects, and voiceovers that enhance the atmosphere.𝐓𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐞: Hands-on activities, textures, and physical interactions.𝐎𝐥𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲: Scents that relate to the experience or brand.𝐆𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲: Tasting elements that can tie into the theme or product.2. 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨:𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐜:Creating a compelling story that participants can follow and become a part of.𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Tailoring the experience to individual participants, making them feel unique and valued.3. 𝘌𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘋𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯:𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲: Designing the physical space to align with the brand and narrative.𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐭𝐬: Creating environments that transport participants to another place or time.4. 𝘌𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘌𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵:𝐄𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐬: Crafting moments that evoke strong emotions, from joy to nostalgia.𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬: Using characters or brand ambassadors that participants can connect with.5. 𝘚𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯:𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬: Encouraging group activities and social sharing.𝐔𝐬𝐞𝐫-𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭: Creating opportunities for participants to share their experiences on social media.It is highly impactful as the entire advertising industry continues to understand why consumer activity does what they do. It becomes behavioral marketing. And in tandem, it is a launchpad to how experiential intertwines into the marketing mix globally.#experiential #events #marketing #advertising

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On the other side of the pond at the music festival known as The Governors Ball Music Festival - it is pop-up activation galore!BizBash once again covers a wide array of immersive brand experiences that either made a one-stop play at this festival or have been on the road as a tour stopping all over the U.S. The biggest takeaway this year was the use of mobile trailers or airstreams. It is a hot commodity to utilize shipping containers or trailers. As a former Tour Manager, I know that they are ideal for design, logistics, and overall immersion if done right. Some that stood out to me:Tito's Handmade Vodka Underground activation! The appreciation for the local NYC vibe with espresso martinis and refreshing signature drinks was a good way to take a breather during the event. Liquid I.V. Hydration Haven! A beautiful space to invite attendees to take in its 6th iteration of the activation. It also extended the “Tear. Pour. Live. More.” brand campaign. Brittany Shaw said "With increased attendance by Gen Z and millennials post-pandemic, the festival and live music scene is evolving, and with it, is pushing brands to innovate how they show up."Newell Brands Sharpie Creation Station activation!(Liz Lathan, CMP and Nicole Osibodu, XOXO I feel you'd love this one from our interaction at SXSW)Showing up nowadays is easy and even formulaic, but showing up creatively and letting guests bring out the best version of themselves is powerful. Sharpie continues to do so with this pop-up. Gina Lázaro says "nearly half (49%) of Gen Zers this year [are] in their ‘creativity era,’."Honorable mentions include Red Bull Unforeseen: The Warehouse with its not-so-secret rave scene/party. Anheuser-Busch Stella Artois famous airstream activation partnering with YouTube Hot Ones for celeb appearances and merch. And National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals Celebration where a premium lounge space for attendees to watch the annual basketball championship series was provided Tammy HenaultIt can almost seem too much these days with how many festivals and brand activations there are. However, providing an emotional response, whether it be connection, optimism, or innovation, is where you and your customer can shine!#experiential #events #musicfestival #govball #experiences #brandactivation #popup #design #creativity

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Amazon Amazon Ads Twitch Amazon Music A'Maison Port at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2024!The House of Amazon – where creativity, community, commerce, and culture converge. This temporary housing at the port is one that many festival goers never miss. Having stopped last year to see my friend Carly Zipp Garbis, I knew this year would not disappoint.Complete with a cafe, happy hours, keynote sessions, and live performances. Hearing from Alyson Griffin of State Farm and Tariq H. of McDonald's to name a couple. The entire collection of sessions from emotional authenticity in creativity to AI discussions. This experiential environment touched on various topics with a fresh feel aesthetically.The importance of creating something different each year while maintaining the quality of interest, engagement, and multi-sensory touchpoints is paramount to a memorable brand experience.#experiential #events #canneslions #amazonport #marketing

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The start of Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity brand activation recaps!I have been following Pinterest for some time now. Not only am I a fan of Judy Lee and Ariel Quaglia - but the entire team from branding to experiential/events has brought something unique for every person showing up at events like SXSW, Art Basel, and here in the south of France.The Pinterest "Manifestival" experience!- The original Pinterest tattoo parlor- Turn a mood board into a masterpiece- Curate your personal paletteAnd let's not forget the keynote session that brings professionals together to discuss the creativity behind what makes Pinterest shine for its customers. Xanthe Wells Shona HeathThis type of activation and environment brings inclusiveness and welcome to all festivalgoers. Too often do we see people trying to create something exclusive, while effective, it is sometimes best to have this multi-sensory engagement be for everyone.Keep them coming!#experiential #events #multisensory #cannes #marketing #creativity #canneslions

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Happy to share that I'll be speaking at The Evolution of Engagement | Experiential News + Cannes Recap!Marcus G. and I will be talking all things experiential in the new episode. My man Marcus will be eyes on the ground at Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity this year. I’ve got some friends around as well and from what I’ve captured - this year has more activations than any previous event. Can’t wait to talk more about it, the newest updates on my end, and the upcoming experiences we will be tackling in the second half of the year. Make sure to attend it on June 28 at 12pm EST#experiential #events #engagement #experiences #marketing #advertising #linkedinlive

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Upon starting a new position and celebrating my 34th birthday, I wanted to provide a dual post here.As experientialists and event marketers, we tend to forget the ultimate experience that we can endure - the passing of time. The existential reflection that comes with each year. From milestones in our lives personally and professionally to the overall mortality awareness and societal expectations of each passing decade. The emotional responses we get from the progression of time are the most powerful; hope, anxiety, nostalgia, gratitude, etc.And with that, it is important to realize how grateful we have it. One of those moments in my life was attending Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity for the first time last year. Activation galore, connections made throughout the town, and the beauty of the south of France.This year, Brand Innovators and Spiro come together at the Leadership Summit to host a panel to discuss the impact of creativity for brands & business. Jeff Stelmach Carley Faircloth and John Trinanes come together with Diageo to provide a more in depth look into creativity in the world of experiential at the 71st rendition of Cannes Lions! Hoping my friends at BI can provide a warm welcome Jeff Fortmann David Teicher Brandon GutmanTake a look below:https://lnkd.in/geMazj5G#experiential #events #marketing #creativity #reflection #time #cannes #canneslions

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