Creative Corner: Soaring Superman, Pepsi's Wear-A-Ball and Aldi's Mancunian nod to Oasis

This week has seen a raft of hot stunts, as festivals, gigs and sporting championships all kick off.

I’ve picked out just three of my favourites. 

Read on for a superhero appearance in London from Warner Bros, a jacket that’s actually a football from Pepsi, and a supersonic name change from Aldi.

Up, up, and away! Superman soars over London in a sky-high stunt

I think you need to have been living under a rock not to have heard about or seen Superman taking to the skies of London this week.

Ahead of DC Studio’s Superman soaring into cinemas on July 11th, the Big Smoke got a super-sized preview as the Man of Steel himself took up residence at the very pinnacle of The Shard.

And for once, it wasn’t yet another CGI stunt; a real, bona fide, 120kg sculpture, born from a meticulous 3D scan of none other than Superman actor David Corenswet during production, that was visible from an astonishing 40 miles away.

It was talked about because the sheer ambition of the stunt is a story in itself. 

Superman arrived at the Shard’s dizzying summit in nine complex sections. A dedicated team of over 20 worked around the clock for four months for over 2,000 hours constructing and then hoisting the statue into position in the quiet hush of the early morning. At over 300 metres high, it marks the highest-ever display of a public sculpture, setting a new benchmark for marketing audacity.

And just when you thought it couldn’t get any more cinematic, as the figure was secured, two helicopters emblazoned with the unmistakable Daily Planet logo circled the magnificent display. A subtle, yet powerful, nod to the iconic newspaper that anchors Clark Kent's world – a detail that truly elevates the immersive experience.

The star power didn't stop there. David Corenswet (Clarke Kent / Superman), Rachel Brosnahan (Lois Lane), and Nicholas Hoult (Lex Luthor) graced the spire’s highest platform directly beneath the soaring sculpture.

It’s a stunt that has quite literally set the bar high.

Pepsi just dropped a jacket that transforms into a football. Yes, really.

Football shirt collabs are nothing new but have you heard the one about the jacket that turns into an actual football? Pepsi just pulled off one of the most delightfully bonkers, genuinely innovative stunts seen in a while in the Wear-A-Ball: a jacket that, with a few zips and flips, transforms into a football.

This isn't some flimsy gimmick, either, as it takes jumpers for goal posts to another level. Crafted from recycled polyester, the Wear-A-Ball looks like a sleek, utilitarian tech piece. But thanks to the ingenious minds of Clint419 (of Corteiz fame) with support from Goose Design and COPA90, it folds into itself like a soft, wearable Transformer. Finish your street style photoshoot, unzip your jacket, and you’re ready for an impromptu five-a-side match in the nearest car park.

Part of Pepsi’s new Refresh the Game campaign, the jacket is also joined by an obligatory run of kits with cult favorite Classic Football Shirts. If you buy one of these cool kits, you’re automatically entered into a draw to win one of the elusive Wear-A-Balls. But be quick – there are only 25 of these game-changing jackets up for grabs online.

Aldi gives a Mancunian nod to Oasis homecoming

With Oasis's monumental (and long-awaited) homecoming gigs kicking off from July 11th, Aldi has got in on the action with a truly Mancunian twist.

To mark the occasion, the supermarket chain has cleverly rebranded its Prestwich branch on Bury New Road, to Aldeh.

Conveniently located near where Liam and Noel Gallagher sold out gigs in Heaton Park – their spiritual home - the Aldeh branch is a subtle yet simply genius nod to Manchester's distinctive drawl, reflecting the authentic Mancunian pronunciation of the brand name.

Aldi's move is not just about slapping a band's logo on a product; it's about embedding the brand within the local narrative, connecting with the fans on their own turf, in their own language. It's an inside joke, and a shared wink between the brand and the community.

The supermarket confirmed that the name change will remain in place for the duration of the Heaton Park gigs, ensuring maximum impact and plenty of photo opportunities for gig-goers and locals alike.

Well, that wraps up another Creative Corner!

As ever, if you’re launching something that deserves a spot in Creative Corner, or have seen a campaign you just love, please do share it with us. Email paul.lucas@fanclubpr.com

Image credit: PINPEP/Superman