Like what we do?
THE WORLD'S FIRST AMPHIBIOUS ICE CREAM VAN
THE BRIEF
Fredericks, makers of Cadbury's Ice Cream were looking for a spectacular publicity stunt to promote National Ice Cream Week.
The concept needed to deliver a news-grabbing stunt in London, but then tour the beaches and coastline of the UK through the course of the summer.
Brainstorming ideas with Fredericks and PR agency Taylor Herring, the idea of an amphibious ice cream van sailing The River Thames was selected. We knew technically it could be built, and as a world first, set against London's landmarks would make for superb imagery.
THE PRODUCTION SOLUTION
- Submission of detailed construction drawings and RAMS, H&S and Emergency Evacuation Documentation to Port of London Authority (PoLA) prior to construction commencing.
- Purchase of second hand amphibious 'vessel' chassis.
- Custom built steel frame for upper ice cream van bodywork.
- Timber and fibreglass pattern making, moulding and cladding over frame.
- Fit-out of additional piloting wheel in cockpit as part of PoLA safety criteria.
- Two outboard motors ( 1 x spare).
- Additional buoyancy tanks mounted above water line inside bodywork.
- Bodywork finished to highly believable realistic spec of existing Cadbury ice cream vans. Full graphic wrap livery.
- Fit-out of working Ice cream van chimes.
- Successful test of chassis with completed bodywork in non tidal waters.
- Successful full dress rehearsal in high-tide sea at Blackpool.
- Live activation Press stunt on The River Thames.
- UK beaches tour.
DETAILED BEHIND THE SCENES
ANALYTICS:
A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL LEVEL OF PUBLICITY ACHIEVED.
DOCUMENTED AS FREDERICKS' MOST SUCCESSFUL STUNT.
EXAMPLES OF THE PRESS CREATED (BELOW).
6 sapling oaks were planted with Trees for Cities for this project.
Each of which will off-set one tonne of carbon in its lifetime.