July 2017 brand activations show brands taking full advantage of people's increased willingness to go out and try new things while it's still warm out.
The Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal brand decided to try something new this summer by offering a cereal drive-thru in Arizona, which is set up on the same route that tourists seeking to visit the Grand Canyon have to pass. In order to receive a bowl of cereal, people passing by must perform a "crazy fun challenge" – making the drive-thru distinct in its original concept, as well as interactive for those who visit it.
Another unique brand activation trend that can be observed this summer was created by the cracker brand Jacob's. The one-day pop-up restaurant will allow visitors to sample products from its cracker, ciabatta, and flatbread collections, and will feature a five-course lunch and six-course dinner.
Top 50 Brand Activation Trends in July
48
Furniture Brand Pop-Up Shops
Toronto's IKEA Play Café is an Immersive Retail Experience
47
Fast Beauty Maker Labs
The Essence Maker Shop Invited Fans to Co-Create Products In-Store
46
Customizable Skincare Labs
The St Ives Mixing Bar is Open for Six Weeks in New York City
45
TV-Inspired Pop-Up Bars
This Breaking Bad-Themed Cocktail Bar Lets Guests Cook Their Own Creations
44
Branded Pop-Up Chapel Bars
The Jager Chapel Was a Romantic Activation Hosted in France
43
Donut Slot Machines
Krispy Kreme Set Up a Food Slot Machine to Celebrate a New Partnership
42
Luxurious Ice Cream Pop-Ups
This Magnum Pop-Up Featured Edible Flowers and Pearls
41
Fantasy Series-Inspired Pubs
Winter is Coming to DC With a New Game of Thrones Pub
40
Dollar Store Derby Activations
The Poundland Brand Activation Was Hosted at the Epsom Derby
39
Luxury Fashion Pop-Up Collaborations
Balenciaga and colette Joined to Create a Pop-Up Shop
38
Co-Created Rapper Merchandise
2 Chainz and Gucci Ghost Team Up for an Exclusive Merchandise Range
37
New Nordic Mexico Pop-Ups
The NOMA Tulum Residency Ran for Seven Weeks in the Mexican Jungle
36
Vegan-Friendly Retail Fridges
Pret A Manger's Fridges are Filled with Plant-Based Foods for All
35
Pop-Up Toy Cafes
The Shopkins Macaron Café Brings the Collectible Playsets to Life
34
Cinnamon Cereal Drive-Thrus
This Cinnamon Toast Crunch Pop-Up Helps Families on Road Trips Refuel
33
Co-Working Wellness Apps
Office Rental Space Provider WeWork Launched a Fitness-Focused App
32
Pop-Up Sitcom Diners
A Saved by the Bell-Themed Diner is Coming to Los Angeles
31
Complimentary Festival Makeovers
The 2017 Sephora Coachella Activation Offered Various Services
30
Same-Day Runway Purchases
Rebecca Minkoff Brought Direct-to-Consumer Fashion to 'The Grove' in La
29
Luxury Shopping Bags
This Balenciaga x Colette Collaborative Luxury Shopping Tote Costs $1,100
28
VR Father's Day Cards
Hallmark's Father's Day Greeting Cards Include 360-Degree Videos
27
Secretive Pop-Up Billboards
Antisocial Social Club Teased the Location of Its Pop-Up in a Fun Way
26
Pop-Up Cracker Restaurants
Cracker Brand Jacob's One-Day Pop-Up Showcases Inspiring Recipe Ideas
25
Pop-Up Brewery Shops
Shepherd Neame Launched a Brewery Inside a Shopping Center
24
Online Dating Meet-Up Spaces
'The Hive' is a Physical Space for Online Daters to Meet Up
23
Experiential Sports Bra Pop-Ups
The NikeWomen BraHaus Pop-Up Sought to Offer Custom Sports Bras
22
Edible Art Galleries
Maynards Bassetts' 'Sweet Art Gallery' Features Art Made from Candies
21
Swedish Cider Lifestyle Pop-Ups
The Rekorderlig Beautifully Swedish Roadshow is Touring the UK
20
Brightly Adapted Co-Branded Hoodies
These Anti Social Social Club Hoodies Feature Rainbow Graphics
19
Private Meditation Pods
A BuddhaBooth Station Creates a Tranquil Space for Meditation
18
Distraction-Free Work Spaces
'Cave Day' is a Distraction-Free Pop-Up Space for Procrastinators
17
Easter Egg Hunt Activations
The Cadbury Enchanted Maze Was Hosted near the London Eye
16
Experiential 3D Printing Studios
Jonathan Moneta Provides a Preview of the MakeLab Trend Safari
15
Luggage Brand Pride Parties
Raden's LA Pop-Up Shop Gives Back to the LGBTQ Community
14
Special Admission Cafes
The Nescafé Taproom Lets Visitors Create Custom Brews on Site
13
Playlist-Connected Greeting Cards
These Hallmark Father's Day Greeting Cards Link to Spotify
12
Donut-Topped Milkshakes
This Peace Collective Drink Celebrates National Donut Day
11
Cookie Dough Pop-Up Shops
The 'Dough TO' Shop Serves Fresh Cookie Dough with a Shot of Milk
10
Burrata Tasting Events
Luca's Burrata Tasting Menu Offers Up Four Dishes Based on the Cheese
9
Donut Cocktail Tastings
The Clough Club Pop-Up Pairs Cartems Donuts with Mixed Drinks
8
Pet-Friendly Bar Pop-Ups
London's Pet Pavilion Pawsecco Bar is a Dedicated Bar for Dogs
7
Cruise-Inspired Dining Events
Celebrity Cruises' Taste of London Activation is Travel-Themed
6
Hip Finance Lounges
Toronto's MogoLounge Offers Adult Education Sessions and Events
5
Upscale Vegan Restaurant Pop-Ups
'La Table du Marché' is a New Plant-Based Dining Concept
4
Holiday-Encouraging Pop-Ups
CharlieHR's Instant Holiday Pop-Up Reminds Brits to Take Vacations
3
Pop-Up Photo Printers
The 'Printoss' Smartphone Photo Printer Scans Directly from a Phone's Screen
2
Team-Building Ping-Pong Events
Ping-Pong Fight Club Helps Employees Bond Over Table Tennis
1
Decorative Coloring Cafes
The Ribena Coloring Cafe Lets Patrons Color the Walls Themselves
Related Ideas
Retro Collectible Toy Cereals
Kellogg's and Toy Story 5 Partnered to Celebrate the Movie
Nostalgia-Driven Cereal Promotions
Kellogg’s Toy Story 5 Cereal Boxes Reintroduce In-Pack Toys
Newsstand-Style Pop-Up Series
Uber Eats x ALDI Celebrated Their Partnership with 'The Daily Feed'
Foreign Flavor Pop-Ups
loveholidays' Crisps from Abroad Shared Varieties from Around the World
Trend-Aligned Menu Launches
Jamba's New Summer Bundles are Inspired by Gen Z and Millenial Trends
Plant-Based Yogurt Pop-Up Shops
Alpro The House of Cinnamon Roll Launched in Shoreditch
Fan-Created Menu Items
Creative Customer Orders Inspired the Taco Bell Fan Style Menu
Nutrition-Forward Treat Shop Pop-Ups
Bloom Nutrition Hosted the Very Successful Treat Shoppe
Country Restaurant Brand Refresh
The Cracker Barrel Rebrand Has a Simple Logo with a New Fall Menu
Bakery-Style Bodycare Pop-Ups
The Joonbyrd Joy Bakehouse Shares Treats & Product Samples
Luxury Eyewear Pop-Ups
Prada Opens an Immersive Eyewear Boutique at The Grove
Ice Cream Beauty Pop-Ups
MERIT x Ruru Baked Hosted a Thematic Ice Cream Activation in Toronto
Next-Gen Jelly Bean Campaigns
Jelly Belly Bean Appétit Entices a New Generation of Fans
Fashion-Inspired Food Marketing
Magnum Blends Beauty, Music and Luxury Culture into Its Brand
Patriotic Cookie Collections
Crumbl has a new Red, White, and Blue menu for July 4th
Mobile Cafe Pop-Ups
Coach Introduced a Vibrant Coffee Truck in Gotemba, Japan
flavorful frozen food lines
Conagra Brands introduces a comprehensive new line for summer 2026
Savory Toaster Pastries
Pop-Tarts and Red Lobster Dreamed Up Cheddar Bay Biscuits Pop-Tarts
Nutrition-Supporting Cereal Products
WK Kellogg Co Debuts Two Cereals to Support Student Nutrition
Licensed Flavor Collaborations
Conagra Blends Celebrity and Brand Partnerships Into Snacks
Festive Snack Packaging Designs
Kellanova Debuts Its Seasonal Assortment of Snacks
Innovative Snack Launches
Utz Brands, Inc. Unveils a Variety of Products at the 2025 NACS Show
Pop Culture-Themed Snack Branding
Fan Foods Co. and Poppowls Launch New Licensed Snack Capsule
Artistic Hip-Hop-Inspired Cereal Campaigns
Froot Loops Launches 'Follow Your Ears'
Entertainment-Powered Retail Experiences
AT&T Brings Toy Story 5 to Interactive Store Activations
Consumer-Focused Packaging Strategies
Hershey's Unveils Elevated Packaging at Sweets & Snacks Expo
Remixed Flavor Snack Products
These PepsiCo Flavor Swap Snacks Intermix Familiar Products
Cinnamon-Bacon Cereals
Cinnamon Toast Crunch Bacon Flavored Cereal is Infused wih Smoky Flavor
Experiential Student Activations
Just Eat's Hey U Up Campaign Coincides with Freshers’ Week
Experiential Fast Food Collaborations
Popeyes Turned Chicken Tenders Into a Music Venue Experience
Nostalgic Summer Snacks
Entenmann's Launches Childhood-Inspired Seasonal Treats
Ultra-Flavorful Snack Collaborations
Van Holten's and Pringles Unveiled an Unconventional Product
Health-Focused Interactive Pop-Ups
Ancient + Brave Ran the Live Bravely Pop-Up in California
Chocolate Chip Cookie-Inspired Billboards
Tate's Bake Shop Debuts an Ambitious Marketing Campaign
Convenience-Focused Snack Formats
Catalina Crunch Debuts Snack Size Multipacks for Its Products
Patriotic Social Good Crackers
Cheez-It and Townhouse Partnered with Operation Homefront
Eating Ritual Campaigns
Müller You Know How You Like It Celebrates Unique Snacking Methods
Play-Based Family Campaigns
Pirate's Booty Encourages Screen-Free Family Adventures
Dual-Format Dining
The Granola Bar Opens Dine-In and Takeaway Concepts in New Yotk
Mystery Flavor Breakfast Cereals
Cap' Crunch's Mystery Crunch Has No Artificial Ingredients
Hot Honey Breakfast Cereals
Kellogg's Crunchy Nut Hot Honey Crunchies are Limited-Edition
Comprehensive Fast Food Reports
Yum! Brands, Inc. Explores Food Trends Influencing the Industry
Brain-Fueling Cereal Brands
Restart Life Launches the New BrainQ™ Healthy Cereal
Fiber-Focused Cereal Ads
Raisin Bran Uses its Super Bowl Spotlight To Promote Gut Health
Paparazzi-Style Cereal Shots
Photos of William Shatner Eating Raisin Bran Tease a Big Game Ad
Multi-Sensory Cranberry Snacks
The Craisins Fireworks Cranberry Mix Features Popping Candy
Celebratory American Food Products
General Mills America’s 250th Birthday Products are Patriotic
Youthful Convenience Store Campaigns
7-Eleven is Running the Roll-Up & Refuel™ Initiative
Consumer-Driven Breakfast Snacks
This New Kellogg’s Snack Range Features Six Options
Athlete-Backed Beverage Campaigns
PepsiCo and NFL Players Debut 'Tailgate Crashers'
Pastry-Inspired Protein Cereals
Catalina Snacks Unveils Two New Protein Cereals
Irish Butter Sandwich Pop-Ups
The Kerrygold Sandwich Pop-Up Offers St. Patrick's Day Sandwiches
Culture-Driven Product Launches
Church’s Texas Chicken launches Churchie Sauce with a local event
Social-First Gameshows
This Year's Walkers' Do Us a Flavour Campaign Was Reimagined for TikTok
Limited-Edition Halloween Treats
Kellanova Brands Debut Exclusive Treats for Halloween
Mexican Hot Chocolate Cereals
Cinnamon Toast Crunch Mexican Style Hot Chocolate Cereal is Tasty
Throwback Grocery Campaigns
Economic Nostalgia Inspired Instacart's Summer Like It’s ‘99
Curated Discovery Stores
The Shelf Spotlights Emerging Food, Drink and Wellness Brands
Experiential Grocery Campaigns
No Name launches a multi-city grocery goss campaign
Charitable Granola Campaigns
Nature’s Path Initiates the 'Sweet 16 Acts of Love' Campaign
Bread-Branded Single-Serve Pastries
These New Wonder Bakery Snacks Come in Three Varieties
Ingredient-Driven Chip Branding
The Refreshed Tostitos Branding Focuses on Nutritional Benefits
Playfully Branded Crosswalks
OREO Turned Marked Areas Outside Some Kroger Stores into OREO Walks
Bakery-Inspired Protein Cereals
Catalina Snacks Released Two New 'Catalina Crunch' Flavors
Better-For-You Snack Branding
Unique Snacks Undergoes Another Brand Update
Co-Brandeed Promotional Campaigns
Montucky Cold Snacks and the Flamin' Hot Brand Portfolio Team Up
Breakfast-Inspired Ice Cream Treats
Mini Melts Fruity Cereal Crunch is Inspired by Cereal Milk
Mobile Brand Experiences
M&M's Brings an Interactive Caravan to the Tour De France
Nordic QSR Campaigns
McDonald's Launches a New Campaign Inspired by its Dedicated Fans
Chip-Cracker Hybrids
Craize's Toasted Snack Crackers are Versatily & Sensorially Satisfying
Interactive Artisan Coffee Campaigns
The Illy Summer Campaign Will Immerse Consumers
Vibrant Cafeteria-Inspired Campaigns
Lunchtime Becomes a Joyous Time in 'The Lunchables Effect'
Korean-Focused Multi-Sensory Brand Activations
House of CJ Hosted a Big Multi-Sensory Activation
Wellness Dining Experiences
CRISP & GREEN Combines Fitness Events With Healthy Meals
Quitter-Addressing Salad Giveaways
BrightFarms' Don't Quit, Just Crunch! Boasts Its Crunch Kit™
Experiential Flavor Campaigns
McCormick Launches a Multi-Sensory Black Currant Dining Experience
Celeb-Supported Breakfast Box Campaigns
KIND Snacks Taps Rob Rausch for RISE & KIND Breakfast Box
Food-Inspired Street Art
Knorr's Dish Pics Campaign Replaces Unwanted, Unsavory Images
Culinary Tradition Food Campaigns
The Merchant Gourmet 'Yes Chef!' Campaign is Running Now
Culture-Driven Snack Strategies
Mondelēz Elevates Oreo With Future-Back Brand Planning
Viral Bakery Reinventions
Sainsbury's Launches Dipped Croissants Inspired by Social Pastry Trends
Strawberry-Centric Summer Menus
Crumbl Strawberry Summer Celebrates a Versatile Berry
Seasonal Entertaining Crackers
The Pladis Christmas Crackers Range Has New and Returning Favorites
Tasty Easter Activation Campaigns
The Mars Wrigley The Big Easter Bunny Off is Ready for Spring
Footballer-Approved Cereals
General Mills' Jettas Mix Combines Justin Jefferson's Favorite Cereals
Retro Dessert Menu Offerings
Bakery79 Launches The Summer of 79 Menu
Strawberry-Themed Restaurant Menus
Perkins Strawberry Freshtival Showcases the Summertime Fruit
90s-Era Snack Product Campaigns
The Pringles One You Pop Campaign Revives the Tagline for Gen Z
Branded Nutrition-Focused Challenges
Fresh Express is Launching the Fresh Start Challenge
Post-Game Breakfast Campaigns
McDonald's Flipped Its Ads Sideways for Super Bowl Recovery
Springtime Restaurant Scrambles
The Cracker Barrel All-Day Breakfast Scrambles are Arriving Soon
Patriotic Barbecue Donut Ranges
The Krispy Kreme Stars, Stripes & Sweetness Collection is Vibrant
Toaster Pastry Billboards
Ginsters Set Up a Pastry Toastie Billboard in a Commuter Hotspot
Pumpkin Spice Protein Cereals
Catalina Crunch Launched Two Seasonally Spiced Flavors
Cinematic Cereal Branding
The Wheaties Marty Supreme Cereal Celebrates the Upcoming Movie
All-American Ice Creams
Kroger Launched Limited-Time Flavors Inspired by Iconic Moments
Shrimp Chips-Focused Campaigns
Calbee America Launches 'What the Wild Ones Eat' Campaign
Cereal-Inspired Coffee Blends
Cinnamon PEBBLES™ and Bones Coffee Company Drops a New Coffee Flavor
Protein Cheese Activations
Armstrong Cheese Celebrated its Protein Offerings with a Fridge Pop-Up
Consumer-Driven Bakery Brand Transformations
The Panera RISE Strategy is a Four-Part Plan
Ice Cream-Celebrating Campaigns
Ben & Jerry's Great Summer Bar Drop Offers Free Ice Cream Bars
Breakfast-Themed Dessert Menus
The Crumbl Breakfast Week Menu Taps into Classic Flavors
Cereal-Flavored Baking Mixes
Cinnamon Toast Crunch Pancake and Baking Mix Has Arrived
Pizza Professionals-Focused Challenges
California Pizza Challenge Returns in August 2026
Bakery-Themed Apparel Lines
Road Bread Offers Bakery-Themed Apparel Bread Enthusiasts
Quirky Edible Mascots
The Pop-Tarts Brand Introduces Team Sprinkles and Team Swirls
Dad-Themed Cookie Menus
The Crumbl Father's Day Cookies are Available for a Limited Time Only
Springtime-Inspired Donut Ranges
Parlor Doughnuts Fresh Picked Dozen is Arriving for Springtime
Convenience Dining Growth
Checkers & Rally’s Grows Through Travel Centers and Convenience Stores
Regionally Inspired Restaurant Menus
P.F. Chang's Summer in Tokyo Campaign is Here for Summer
Sprinkle-Topped Breakfast Pastries
These Pillsbury Toaster Strudel Products Come in Two Varieties
Holiday Snack-Inspired Cereals
Caramel Corn Chex Cereal is Arriving Now for the Fall
Shoppable Mascot Homes
Pillsbury's Mascot is Inviting Fans into His Modern Doughhouse Revival
Summer-Forward Food Billboards
Waitrose Launched its 'Let Your Summer Side Out' Campaign
Summer-Long Pizza-Celebrating Campaigns
Pizza Hut Debuts the Hut Originals Platform
Local Restaurant Activations
Pepsi Hosts Community Events to Drive Restaurant Discovery
Granola-Focused Restaurant Expansions
The Granola Bar Restaurant Group Expands in the US
Sporty Mexican Cuisine Promotions
The California Tortilla CalTort Games Celebrate the Olympics
Chocolate-Branded Bakery Treats
These New In-Store Bakery Treats Have Been Announced by Mars
Hot Dog Subway Campaigns
Nathan’s Famous Launches “Follow the (F)rank Line” Subway Campaign
Easy Autumnal Baking Products
General Mills Debuted Several Seasonal Baking Products
Interactive Fast-Casual Dining
Pepper Lunch Expands Its Sizzling DIY Dining Concept
Snack Bar-Promoting Experiential Campaigns
Einstein Energy Super Snack Bars Ran a Campaign at SXSW
Fiber-Rich Snack Bar Cereals
Nature Valley Cereal Comes in Two Flavor Options
Craft-Led Bakery Brands
Kynd Dough Embraces Convenience with Extended Shelf Life and More
Brandless Packaging Campaigns
McDonald’s Tested a Name-Free 'Famous Order' Promotion
Breakfast-Themed Donut Ranges
The Voodoo Doughnut Breakfast Club Series is Playful
Purpose-Led Emerging Brands Initiatives
7-Eleven Taps 27 Brands for Its 2026 Brands with Heart™
Experimental Soup Varieties
Crosse & Blackwell Surveyed Consumers for Product Feedback
Trip-Themed Dining Promotions
The Cracker Barrel Fuel Your Summer Road Trip Sweepstakes is on Now
Celebration-Themed Donut Ranges
These New Parlor Doughnuts Treats are Arriving for Spring
Inaugural Savory Cracker Products
Simply Savoury by Hill Biscuits are a First From the Brand
Early-Morning Easter Campaigns
Morrisons Launched a Campaign That Only Runs from 4AM to 7AM
Autumnal Breakfast Dishes
Sunny Street Café is Launching Four Pumpkin-Inspired Items
Expanded Breakfast SKUs
Feel Good Foods Launches Breakfast Line At Target Nationwide
Seasonal Wellness Eatery Menus
The CRISP & GREEN Season of Strength Menu is Here for Summertime
Elevated Diner Franchises
Billy’s Downtown Diner expands its modern diner concept in the midwest
Community Fashion Events
Free People Hosts a Charitable Summer Gathering with Film and Activities
Limited-Time Value Menus
Krystal Launches a New $3 Menu And Krush'd Soda Upgrade
Regional Salad Chain Openings
CRISP & GREEN Debuts a New West Omaha Restaurant