# Album-Inspired Ice Creams Ed Sheeran and Van Leeuwen Collaborated on Play Pink Ice Cream By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2025-09-15 | Marketing Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/play-pink-ice-cream References: [foodandwine](https://www.foodandwine.com/ed-sheeran-van-leeuwen-pink-play-ice-cream-11805526) & [vanleeuwenicecream](https://vanleeuwenicecream.com/scoop-shops/)  Ed Sheeran’s eighth studio album, Play, has been described as a return to pop and the fun, nostalgic sound of the music inspired New York City-based ice cream chain [Van Leeuwen](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/keith-haring-x-van-leeuwen-ice-cream) to collaborate on [Play Pink](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/play-doh-x-pantone) ice cream, a limited-edition flavor. This joyful ice cream makes an impact with both color and flavor thanks to a pink punch ice cream base swirled with dragon fruit and pieces of guava cake. After creating a [Kraft Mac & Cheese](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tingly-teds) collab in 2021, Van Leeuwen found fans clamoring for more unexpected flavors. What began as a playful experiment has since evolved into a signature strategy—partnering with brands and celebrities to create buzzworthy drops that keep the community curious about the next scoop. The Play-inspired Play Pink ice cream can be found at most NYC Van Leeuwen scoop shops, while supplies last. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.6/10 - Popularity: 44% | Activity: 45% | Freshness: 49% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing) > [Branding](https://www.trendhunter.com/branding) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Music-influenced Edibles:** Incorporating musical themes into food products taps into the emotional connections fans have with their favorite artists, offering a novel sensory experience. - **Collaborative Flavor Experimentation:** Brands are partnering with celebrities and other companies to co-create unique flavor profiles that generate buzz and consumer interest. - **Limited-edition Excitement:** The introduction of exclusive, short-term products creates urgency and a fear of missing out among consumers, driving immediate demand. ### Where This Applies - **Food and Beverage:** The fusion of celebrity culture with food provides a fresh opportunity for product differentiation and brand storytelling. - **Entertainment:** Collaborations between the music and food industries can create immersive entertainment experiences that extend beyond traditional media. - **Retail:** Limited-edition products with high-profile collaborations attract foot traffic and increase sales in physical stores. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Artistic Pride Month Desserts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/keith-haring-x-van-leeuwen-ice-cream.md) - [Doll-Themed Ice Creams](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cold-stone-creamery-1.md) - [Exclusive Espresso Ice Creams](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/espresso-ice-cream-pint.md) - [Exciting Ice Cream Collaborations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/museum-of-ice-cream1.md) - [Matcha-Berry Ice Creams](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chelsea-piera-x-ample-hills-creamery.md) - [CPG-Inspired Ice Creams](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-ice-cream-project-anya-hindmarch.md) - [Iconic Cartoon Ice Creams](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/van-leeuwen-hello-kitty.md) - [Chromatic Tropical Ice Creams](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/strawberry-dragonfruit-ice-cream.md) - [Collaboration Frozen Ube Treats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kings-hawaiian-and-van-leeuwen.md)