Footwear powerhouse ALDO will be taking to the streets of NYC for it’s first-ever experiential consumer pop-up in celebration of the brand’s number-one leading comfort footwear technology for him & her; Pillow Walk.”
– AverageSocialite.com, ALDO Pillow Walk Pop-Up
ALDO is a Canadian-founded retail company that specializes in shoes and accessories. In 2022 the company launched its innovative Pillow Walk technology which strategically provides consumers with extra padding in sensitive areas that often need to be broken in such as the heels and balls of the feet, giving consumers comfortable shoes out of the box with no breaking in period!
To help relaunch their Pillow Walk comfort technology ALDO decided to host its first consumer pop-up with a one-day bespoke inflatable activation in the middle of New York City. This activation took place on September 6, 2023.
Our Pillow Walk styles are more than just vistually stunning and trendy – what makes them unique is that not only are they style-first, but they’re comfortable, so what better way for consumers to experience that for themselves than in-person.”
– Amanda Amar, Senior Director of Global Social Media and Publie Relations for ALDO
Bespoke Inflatable Activation Immerses Consumers in the Pillow Walk Technology
Since the Pillow Walk technology is sensory, ALDO wanted to immerse their consumers in the technology and give them a place where they could experience the Pillow Walk technology themselves by feeling, touching, and learning all about Pillow Walk. That is where Inflatable Design Group came in.
Inflatable Design Group worked with Brodey Francis, Inc. to create a bespoke inflatable structure and inflatable ALDO logo used for the Pillow Walk activation site. The inflatable structure was 25 feet long, 10 feet deep, and 10 feet tall.
Customizing and Designing the Inflatable Activation
When planning the pop-up activation, ALDO noted that recent consumer behavior points to consumers looking for engaging sensory experiences with brands. That being said, ALDO wanted to not only connect and stand out with their consumers but to also help them understand the Pillow Walk technology and let me see, feel, and learn about it.
Inflatable Design Group worked with Brodey Francis, Inc. agency to customize and design an inflatable structure that accomplished all the goals ALDO had for the pop-up activation. The inflatable activation had removable ALDO banners, custom compartments for iPads with informational videos, and even plastic windows where shelves with shoes could be displayed.
The shelves, banners, and windows were all easily removable making it easy to pack up, store, and transport the inflatable activation.
During the activation that took place in New York City, ALDO & Brodey Francis, Inc. used foam as the floor of the inflatable structure to mimic the Pillow Walk technology. They also displayed multiple iPads that highlighted the campaign’s new collection and displayed the products on the activation shelves so consumers could see and feel the product with Pillow Walk technology.
The ALDO Pillow Walk pop-up activation was a one-day event put on by Brodey Francis, Inc. It took place on September 6th from 10 am to 7 pm at Astor Place Square in New York City. All day, consumers and passersby stopped to learn more about ALDO and their Pillow Walk technology. They also posed for pictures in front of the inflatable activation and front of the 7-foot-tall inflatable ALDO logo. Many of these people then posted the pictures on their social media and tagged ALDO, increasing the brand’s social media reach and creating a successful pop-up activation.
Design Your Bespoke Inflatable Activation Today!
ALDO’s Pillow-Walk bespoke inflatable activation is just one example of how Inflatable Design Group collaborated with a company and agency to help them achieve their marketing goals. We have worked with many brands of all sizes from all over the world to bring their visions to life in the form of custom inflatables and bespoke inflatable activations.
Have an idea and are ready to get started? Email our team at info@inflatabledesigngroup.com for a free quote. One of our experienced sales representatives will get back to you as soon as possible!
