Case Study: Adidas Activation

Client Overview

Adidas is a globally recognised sportswear brand renowned for its innovative and immersive brand activations. As the Official Clothing and Sports Shoe Partner for the City2Surf event, Adidas sought to engage with both the general public and its exclusive AdiClub members by offering unique, high-impact experiences that would strengthen brand loyalty and visibility.

brand activation overview

The Challenge

City2Surf is an iconic Sydney event that attracts tens of thousands of participants for a 14km fun run from Sydney CBD to Bondi.

The challenge Adidas faced was to engage their AdiClub members in a meaningful way that would stand out amidst the huge crowd and leave a lasting impression. Adidas sought a unique activation that would resonate with their brand’s innovative and immersive approach while providing a functional and desirable item to their members.

Our Solution

Honeycomb Agency partnered with Adidas to introduce a heat transfer activation at the City2Surf event. The concept was to offer AdiClub members the opportunity to personalise their blanket capes—an exclusive item given to runners as they completed the 14km course.

At our onsite activation, AdiClub members could have their name, initials, or race time added to the blanket cape, making it a cherished keepsake from the event.

Our team set up a dedicated space at the Adidas stand, where members could choose their personalisation and watch as it was expertly applied using heat transfer technology. This activation not only provided a unique memento but also allowed participants to engage directly with the Adidas brand in a meaningful way.

The Benefits

The heat transfer activation offered several key benefits that aligned with Adidas’s goals:

Hive of Collaboration

Enhanced Engagement

By offering personalisation, Adidas created a deeper connection with their AdiClub members. The activation was popular, with members eager to customise their blanket capes and proudly wear them as they cooled down after the race.

Hive of Collaboration

Increased Visibility

The large, striking blue blanket capes, emblazoned with personalised details, stood out in the crowd of thousands, providing Adidas with significant brand exposure. The eye-catching capes quickly became a signature sight at the event, enhancing Adidas’s visibility.

Hive of Collaboration

Extended Dwell Time

The blanket capes, combined with the comfort of Adidas slides given to AdiClub runners, encouraged participants to linger at the Adidas stand. As members rested, ate, drank, and networked, the stand became a hub of activity, further boosting brand interaction and community building.

The Results

The heat transfer activation at City2Surf was a resounding success for Adidas. The personalised blanket capes were highly coveted and quickly snapped up by AdiClub members, who immediately put them to use.

The activation provided a memorable experience that reinforced their brand’s commitment to innovation and customer engagement. The success of this activation has paved the way for future collaborations, with Adidas recognising the value of personalisation in creating impactful brand experiences.