Brand Activations

ACTIVATIONS IN
Durham.

We create brand activations that bring your message into the real world. From high streets to festivals, we design moments that stop people in their tracks and move product.

Explore Activation Ideas

The Setup

POP-UP
Your Brand
Impact

What We Deliver

Full concept-to-delivery service. Click cards for details.

Creative Concepting

We develop attention-grabbing activation concepts that bring your brand to life and create moments people remember.

Logistics & Compliance

From installations to equipment to scheduling, we handle the logistics — ensuring everything is safe, legal and flawlessly executed.

Stakeholder Engagement

We coordinate with partners, sponsors and internal teams to keep everyone aligned, informed and moving in the same direction.

Staff & Training

We hire and train on-site teams so every brand interaction feels consistent, informed and on-message.

Permits & Safety

We manage permits, risk assessments and safety protocols to guarantee a smooth and compliant activation.

Conversion Tracking

We measure footfall, engagement and outcomes so you can clearly see impact, ROI and next-step opportunities.

Where We Activate

High Streets
Shopping Centres
Transport Hubs
Pop-Up Venues
Festivals
Corporate Campuses

Real Results

Experiential marketing isn't just about brand awareness — it's about moving people through the funnel, right there on the street.

Direct Product Sampling
Instant App Downloads
Lead Generation
Social Sharing Moments

Conversion Funnel

Footfall10,000+
Engagement2,500
Samples1,200
Sales350

Brand Activations Durham 2026 | Immersive & MR Experiences

The New Era of Interaction: Durham 2026

As we step into 2026, the way brands connect with Durham has fundamentally changed. In a world saturated with "AI Slop," consumers—especially the tech-forward audience of the Durham Innovation District (DID) and Durham University—are craving real-world, high-fidelity experiences. A "Brand Activation" in 2026 is a "Portal to a Brand Universe"—a blend of Physical and Digital (Phygital), designed to spark emotion and build unshakeable loyalty.

At Canny Works, we provide 2026-ready Brand Activations in Durham. From 360-degree immersive pop-ups in Durham Market Place to Mixed Reality stunts at heritage sites, we ensure your brand is the lead character in Durham's 2026 story.

2026 Activations: Phygital & Purposeful

  • Mixed Reality (MR) Standard: Digital Portals in Gilesgate transporting customers into your Newton Aycliffe factory. AR overlays turning the River Wear into your brand canvas.
  • Hyper-Personalised Co-Creation: 'Win-Ables'—immersive games unlocking exclusive personalized merchandise through interaction, creating emotional bonds.
  • Circular Experience Design: Sustainable, North East-sourced materials and modular setups. Carbon Impact Reports for County Durham Pound compliance.

Our 2026 Activation Suite

Immersive Pop-Ups & "Portals"

360-degree self-contained brand worlds—like a 'Net Zero Lounge' at Milburngate. "Step Through the Portal" AR archways at Durham Market Place.

Guerrilla & PR Stunts

Supersized 3D-mapped interactive props. 'Neon-Natural' activations blending Cyber colors with Durham's riverbanks and heritage.

Community Activations

Exclusive 'Inner Circle' workshops at Salvus House. 'Discovery' sampling for the Innovation Community at NETPark and Aykley Heads.

Privacy-First Digital Integration

Transparent value exchange with 100% consent. Social Search optimization ensuring TikTok/Instagram discoverability.

Key 2026 Durham Locations

  • Milburngate Waterside: Luxury, lifestyle, and high-visibility corporate activations.
  • Durham Market Place & Riverwalk: High-volume footfall for student and heritage brand stunts.
  • Durham STACK: High-energy casual activations and sampling.
  • Aykley Heads Hub: B2B tech and Professional Service activations.
  • NETPark Sedgefield: Science and space-tech activations for global researchers.

"Activation" Framework

  • 1. 'Human Truth' Insight—finding the emotional driver
  • 2. Creative & Phygital Design with MR overlays
  • 3. Sustainable North East procurement
  • 4. 'Makam-Fluent' trained Brand Ambassadors
  • 5. Emotional Engagement & Sentiment measurement

Why Canny Works?

  • Hyper-Local: We know Lumiere and Miners' Gala culture
  • Phygital Pioneers: Experts in blending MR with heritage
  • Social Value: Budget stays in North East via County Durham Pound

Step Inside the Story

Durham is embracing its global potential. In the AI-saturated world of 2026, your brand cannot afford to be passive. You need to be an experience—invite Durham to step inside your brand universe.

At Canny Works, we are the architects of interaction. The portal is open. Let's make it "Canny."

Experiential Physics

How do you count 'Footfall'?

We use **LiDAR sensors and Wi-Fi sniffing** technology to count exactly how many people walked past your activation vs. how many stopped and engaged. This gives us a concrete 'Conversion Rate' for physical space, just like a website.

Permits & Permissions?

Guerrilla marketing is great until the police shut it down. We handle all council liaisons, land-use permits, and health & safety sign-offs for high-traffic areas (e.g., Northumberland Street, Metrocentre). We ensure your stunt is legal and insured.

Is it 'Instagrammable'?

It has to be. We design specifically for the **vertical lens**. Lighting, backdrops, and interactive moments are engineered to look perfect on a phone screen. We build 'User Generated Content' loops directly into the physical build.

Serving Brand Activations Across the UK

Newcastle upon Tyne Gateshead Durham Sunderland