Nespresso challenged us to create a compelling experience to launch their new Cubania coffee; a Cuban-inspired piece of brand storytelling that needed to be told - not in South America - but in London.
In order to create an authentic experience that was believable, surprising and insightful for an audience of bloggers and press who have generally ‘seen it all’ every touchpoint had to be considered with minimal Nespresso branding. No obvious touches, but a thought-through experience that reflected the Cuban influences behind the coffee, told the story of Cubania’s development and was Nespresso in its tone of voice.
Thanks to an incredible attention to detail and thoughtful experience design, we designed an immersive brand experience that took press and bloggers into the heart of Cuban coffee house culture, despite being located in East London.
During the experience, guests were taken on a journey in which they could explore the influences behind the new coffee - and how to best enjoy it - by partaking in four distinct workshops that involved jelly making with Bompas & Parr, coffee tasting, cocktail mixing and learning how to appreciate the flavour of Cubania to the rhythms of salsa music. A four course Cuban meal and live music followed, as images of the beautiful island were projected onto the surrounding walls. All of which created a Havana haven.
The media coverage of Nespresso’s new coffee was overwhelmingly positive, with the launch experience, in particular, being highly praised by those who attended:
"One of the best blogger events we had been to" – Heidi Robert’s Kitchen Talk
"A phenomenal event, incredibly well thought through" and "quite impossible to describe with the credit it deserves" – Pastabites
Equipment
Audio
8 channel QLab playback system
EMS Acoustics EMS-51 loudspeakers
Samson XP40 battery powered loudspeakers with Sennheiser radio link
d&b E6 loudspeakers
Yamaha QL1 digital desk
Shure UR11 radio microphones
Shure 55SH (vintage microphones for Cuban band)
Video
Panasonic PT-VX400EA small projectors
Samsung HD LED monitors
Sense Delta Infinity II media server (
Rugged fibre-optic cables
Lighting
8x Archiled 150 C RGBA LED
10x Chauvet Colour Dash LED pin spot
1x 4kw MSR Fresnel
2x Jem ZR 24/7 Hazer
21x 120w Generic up-lighters
12x Minuette 650w Fresnels
4x 1.2kw Strand PC
30x Source 4 Junior Zoom 25-50deg (575w)
20m Festoon ES
24x Spotlight Combi 650w Fresnels
Jands Event 36/72 channel lighting desk
Avolite 36way 20A rack
Light Processor 36 way dimmer rack 6 x hp
Light Processor 6 way dimmer modules
