Experiential: IKEA’S Oval Office, Gap’s Pantone PopUp

Ikea Builds Own Oval Office for Obama
Ikea‘s got Obama fever. Taking example from other large brands—including Ben & Jerry’s and Hewlett-Packard—the Swedish home products retailer today kicked off an out-of-home ad campaign called “Embrace Change ’09” that honors President-elect Barack Obama. The effort centers on an Oval Office replica inside Union Station in Washington, D.C. Through Wednesday, those walking down Union Square’s Main Hall can see the Oval Office furnished with Ikea furniture. The integrated campaign includes out-of-home billboards featuring the “Embrace Change ‘09” slogan on local buses and trains. Ikea is also holding a “mock motorcade,” touring the D.C. area Jan. 15-16. Ikea will strap “furniture fit for a president” on top of vehicles to symbolize the incoming president and his family moving into their new home.

Gap/Pantone NYC Popup Store

This past weekend Gap and Pantone opened up a pop-up shop on 5th Ave in the company’s ‘concept store’ space. The shop will sell t-shirts in a range of Pantone hues. Pantone recently unveiled its pick for the 2009 color of the year called “Mimosa”. Pantone describes the color as having seven characteristics, optimistic, hopeful, reassuring, warm, cheerful, radiant, and versatile which they feel are the most relevant to the next twelve months. Gap has issued a Mimosa hued shirt that is only available at the store on 5th. Sounds like the rest of the line will show up for sale on the company’s website and other stores.