A couple of incredible ideas from our friends across the pond. . .
Ikea recently outfitted the Paris Metro Stations with brightly colored sofa’s and home decor, along with full scale wall adhesives depicting real life living room scenes, in an effort to showcase their new furniture collection. This brilliant marketing campaign turns an experience that might otherwise be dull, dirty and mundane, into a more positive experience for the 4.5 million passengers that are carried through this metro system each day.
The installation allows passengers to literally see and feel for themselves, the quality and comfortability of various pieces of Ikea furniture without having to actually visit one of their massive stores in person. By bringing their products to the consumer, the Ikea brand has a chance to engage and interact with them in a whole new environment; one where cushy couches and inviting lamp light might be just what commuters are missing. But they’ve only got until March 24th to conduct their very own “bum test” after which, they’ll have to take the metro out to Ikea if they want more.
About 300 miles northeast of Paris, in Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, another interesting and relaxing opportunity awaits the frequent traveler. Located in the Cone Bar, Lounge 2, are Massage-O-Matic chairs, offering 8 glorious minutes of Shiatsu massage for about $5. The chairs are part of Schiphol Airport’s wellness and beauty program, providing passengers the ultimate in privacy and design. Prior to the installation, research revealed the most in-demand services according to travelers were those which focused on personal care and well-being. And the new massage chairs fashionably fit the bill. Available around the clock, the Massage-O-Matic turns an otherwise stressful and exhausting experience into a relaxing and re-energizing one.
