Picture the scene: It’s a crisp December night in a city in Northern England. It might be Manchester. Or Liverpool. Or Leeds. Or Newcastle. Or all of these and more… Revellers rush by, heads down and wrapped in winter coats, eager to escape the freezing cold in a nice warm bar. But which one..?

Then, out of nowhere, the unmistakable sound of Caribbean steel drums breaks through the winter chill, vibing against familiar Christmas carols and Mariah Carey. Curiosity piqued, people look up—and there it is—a vintage 1960s VW camper van, decked out in hundreds of twinkling LED lights, almost as though it had just driven straight out of a sun-soaked tropical dream.

But this isn’t just any festive vehicle. It’s the Las Parrandas Festival Camper Van, Hussel’s mobile marketing masterpiece that not only brought the warmth of the Caribbean to northern England but also turned the idea of branded vehicle activations on its head. A van covered in streams of LED lights? Check.

A Santa so damn sexy he’s only allowed out at night? You bet. Dancers shimmying away in the cold while making passersby feel like they’d stumbled upon a sunny holiday escape? Absolutely.

The Magic Behind the Activation

What really set this campaign apart was the immersive experience we created, blurring the lines between performance art, unadulterated festive sexiness and marketing activation. As passersby caught sight of our van, the LEDs came to life, glittering to the rhythmic steel drums and festive tunes.

The sound system delivered a wave of tropical energy that beckoned people in, compelling them to stop and become part of the craziness. QR codes adorning the sides of the van allowed them to enter a festive competition.

And why did it work? Because we didn’t just roll up with a branded van and hope for the best. This campaign was executed with strategic precision, using innovative technology, impeccable timing, and an understanding of location-based marketing. We exploited the stark contrast between the winter chill and the warm tropical vibe to make the greatest impact.

The overall effect wasn’t just to advertise rum for our clients, Havana and Revolución de Cuba. It was about creating a moment of joy and magic that made our clients really stand out at these business’ most important time of year.

This wasn’t a mere activation: it was experiential marketing that turned heads, sparked conversations and masses of UGC, leaving people with memories they couldn’t help but share.

Why Experiential Marketing Matters

But experiential marketing is just about engagement. It’s about creating a memorable moment that feels more like an experience than an ad. In an era where consumers are increasingly desensitized to traditional forms of advertising, where they actively skip TV ads, ignore banner ads or use ad blockers, experiential marketing offers a way to break through the noise.

Experiential marketing taps into human emotions. It’s about creating authentic, memorable connections with a brand that resonate on a deeper level. As we saw with the Havana Van, it’s not just about the brands’ message: it’s about how the brand makes people feel. The excitement, the joy, the shareable moment, these are the powerful elements that drive true engagement.

And the results speak for themselves. Hundreds of passers-by engaged, filming content, sharing and tracking it across thousands of views on TikTok and Instagram. And more tangible immediate deliverables: greatly increased footfall in each of the locations whilst the activation was happening.

When experiential marketing is done right, it’s more than just a campaign. It’s a story. It’s a moment people want to relive, share, and talk about with others. When people talk about your brand, it’s because you’ve created something they genuinely want to be a part of.

Why You Should Work With Us

So, why should your brand team up with us to run an experiential marketing campaign like the Festival Camper Van?

Simple: we’re masters at turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. Traditional ads? Nah. We create brand experiences that grab people by the eyeballs, amongst other spots, and leave them talking long after the moment passes.

We don’t just “get” your brand; we live it. We dive deep into who you are, who your audience is, and what gets them excited. From there, we whip up bold, innovative ideas that change the game entirely and have your customers begging for more. Whether it’s a mobile activation that drops jaws or a totally customised campaign that’s all you, we know how to make your brand unforgettable.

Our Team Isn’t Just Full of Creative Pros

We’re strategists, tech geeks, and problem-solvers who know exactly where to hit for max impact. We don’t rely on guesswork: we crunch the data to pinpoint the perfect spots, making sure every move counts.

And we don’t stop at the physical experience. We send social sharing into orbit and stir up media hype, ensuring your campaign doesn’t just stay where it’s planted but spreads like wildfire.

When you choose to work with us, you’re not just hiring a team of marketers. You’re teaming up with innovators who know how to disrupt the status quo and get people talking in a world where ads have become invisible.

When everyone’s trying to ignore you, Hussel is here to make sure they stand no chance.

Ready to make some noise? Well we like noise. Let’s create something deafening.