There was a time when “interactive” was enough.
Touchscreens. Hashtags. Branded backdrops.
That era is over.
In 2026, brands don’t just need attention — they need participation. And that’s where AI brand activations come in. Not as a gimmick, but as a way to place people directly inside your brand world, whether that experience happens live, online, or somewhere in between.
At The Proper Booth, we create AI-powered activations for UK brands and global campaigns that turn guests into the story itself.
Virtual AI Activations
When Guests Become the Product
Virtual AI used to feel like a novelty. Now, it’s quickly becoming a necessity — especially for brands running international campaigns or looking to scale without losing personality.
The shift is simple: instead of placing products into content, we place people into the brand.
For Beavertown, that meant dropping fans straight into a World Cup stadium. Surrounded by noise, colour, and atmosphere, guests found themselves choosing then cheering with their team, beer in hand — a moment designed to feel culturally relevant, personal, and instantly shareable.
With Breitling, we went in a different direction. As part of the #squadonamission campaign, users were transformed into elite fighter pilot helmets. Not a costume. Not a filter. A realistic, AI-powered transformation, based on their appearance and personality, that matched the precision and confidence of the brand itself.
We’ve also explored more cinematic territory — from upside-down worlds inspired by Stranger Things, to character-led experiences for That 80s Rock Show, where fans didn’t just watch the performance — they became part of it.
What ties all of these together is scale without compromise. Virtual AI activations work just as well for UK audiences as they do for campaigns in Dubai, Europe, or beyond. No physical footprint. No shipping. Just personalised, branded content delivered at volume.
In-Person AI Activations
Live Moments, Made Personal
Live events still matter. Arguably, they matter more than ever.
But attention is harder to hold in a room than it used to be. That’s where in-person AI changes the dynamic — by giving every guest something that feels made for them, without slowing the event down.
For Immediate Media, we created festive AI illustrations that transformed attendees into bespoke seasonal artwork. It was warm, premium, and intentionally human — designed to spark conversation rather than scream technology.
With Right Formula, we leaned into energy and humour. Racing Elves blended motorsport culture with festive fun, creating high-impact visuals that guests couldn’t help but share. We personalised their AI experience by creating their own Festive-inspired F1 team, and included their Elf racing driving name based on their own input. The result was unique images each time.
At the WiPM Conference, the brief was more purposeful. The Empowered Heroes activation reimagined attendees as confident, heroic versions of themselves — a moment that landed emotionally, not just visually. We ensured every output was branded with the APM logo and only brand colours were utilised.
That’s the real power of in-person AI. It’s not about novelty. It’s about creating something personal, on-brand, and memorable — delivered in seconds, and carried long after the event ends.
Why AI Activations Are Defining 2026
The brands leaning into AI activations aren’t doing it because it’s fashionable. They’re doing it because it works.
AI allows brands to personalise at scale. To extend campaigns beyond a single moment. To generate content audiences actually want to share. And to create experiences that feel considered, not commoditised.
Whether virtual or live, AI shifts people from passive viewers to active participants — and that’s where attention really lives now.
What’s Coming Next
EXPECT THE EXTRAORDINARY — 2026 TRENDS FOR BRANDS
2026 is the year brands stop playing it safe.
Virtual AI moves from novelty to necessity. Guests become the product. And experiential marketing becomes smarter, more cinematic, and more personal than ever before.
Let’s Create Something Worth Talking About
AI activations aren’t about showing off technology. They’re about creating moments people remember — and choose to share.
Whether you’re planning a UK-based corporate event, a virtual campaign for Dubai or international markets, or something that blurs the line between physical and digital, we design AI-powered activations that put people at the centre of your brand.
If you’re ready to stop playing it safe, let’s build something unmissable.
