Mind = Blown: Launching the UK’s First Museum of Illusions with a Bang

Mind = Blown: Launching the UK’s First Museum of Illusions with a Bang

Museum of Illusions, a global phenomenon with locations in over 40 major cities, chose Manchester as the home of its very first UK venue. Our mission? To make sure this wasn’t just yet another attraction, but a show-stopping moment that had Manchester talking. From the very first launch announcement, we needed to drive major media attention, influencer buzz, and footfall from day one – all while celebrating Manchester as the perfect home for this global giant.

Objectives

Bringing a major international brand to the UK was always going to be a big moment, but in a city as vibrant as the one we call home, standing out is no easy task. Our challenge was to cut through that noise and ensure this wasn’t just another new venue – it needed to feel like a cultural moment. The campaign had to capture the playful, mind-bending nature of the museum while delivering serious footfall and engagement.

We pulled out all the stops to ensure the Museum of Illusions’ UK debut landed with a bang. From a high-impact PR stunt around the city to a launch event packed with some of Manchester’s influential faces, we made sure the city knew it was home to something truly sensational. The campaign combined high-impact media coverage, digital-first storytelling, and an on-the-ground presence that turned heads and filled the museum from the moment doors opened.

 

 

What we did.

Making Headlines from Newsfeeds to TV Screens: From the initial announcement to the now open, and everything in between, we ran the full press office, securing national and regional coverage across top-tier outlets – not to mention the exclusive 3-minute ITV Granada feature, ensuring millions of eyes were on the on the Museum on opening day & feature on Manchester’s iconic Coronation Street. 

The PR Stunt That Stopped Traffic: For the ultimate city-wide spectacle. we joined forces with Manchester’s most iconic street performer, ‘The Windswept Man’ (if you know, you know) to create a mind-bending optical illusion stunt in the heart of the city. Paired with carefully curated out-of-home posters, the activation sparked a social media and press frenzy.  

A Launch Party That Bent Reality: Teaming up with our trusty suppliers, we didn’t just throw a party; we created a whole illusion-fueled experiential moment for every guest who stepped through the doors. From edible entry tickets that vanished in their mouths, cocktails that played with their senses, and illusion-inspired canapes that looked like one thing but tasted like another. We made sure the event flooded social media feeds, with 20 top influencers in attendance who captured every mind-bending moment, racking up over 1.5M views and getting Manchester buzzing.

The campaign exceeded expectations, placing Museum of Illusions Manchester firmly on the Mancunian map. 

 

 



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