Cambridge MBA alumni behind the creation and design of the Magnum London Pop-Up store in the official shopping centre of the Olympics
Hot Pickle, a brand specialist agency co-founded by two Cambridge MBA 2008 alumni, was chosen to create and design the Magnum London Pop-Up store that is currently residing at Westfield Stratford City, the official shopping centre of the London 2012 Olympics.
Rupert Pick and Patrick Hammond set up Hot Pickle in September 2009 and the business offers clients innovative retail concepts that drive home key brand messages to consumers, such as creating licensing programmes and building pop-up shops. To date, the business has worked with several leading brands, such as Pizza Express, Heinz, Vaseline and Marmite.
The Magnum London Pop-Up will be open until 5 September and allows customers to design their very own Magnum ice cream by first choosing a classic, dark or white chocolate coating and then topping their creation with different ingredients, which range from experimental chilli, popping candy, exotic goji berries and rose petals. It is the fourth Magnum Pop-Up to open this summer, with the others located in Hamburg, Paris and Istanbul.
Located on The Street at Westfield Stratford City, the Magnum London Pop-Up store is close to the first and only official Team GB and Paralympics GB shop and the official London 2012 Shop situated in John Lewis. The shopping centre is directly adjacent to the Olympic Park and offers spectacular views of the Olympic Stadium and Aquatics Centre.
Rupert Pick is Hot Pickle’s Planning & Creative Director and has worked across multiple brands, product categories and geographies, including creating the award-winning Marmite licensing programme. He has previously worked as an Innovation Consultant at ?What If! and Marketing Manager at Unilever.
As Retail Director, Patrick Hammond is responsible for running the retail arm of the business, overseeing all retail consulting, production and commercial planning. Originally from the USA, he was the founder of a New York-based classical music record label and has worked extensively with major non-profit cultural institutions such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and The Kennedy Center.
Rupert commented:
The MBA was the genesis of Hot Pickle. It gave me the skills and confidence to embark on an entrepreneurial journey and find a like-minded soul in Patrick. Furthermore, we met our mentor and key investor who offered us the financial resources to enable us to follow our dreams. The concept for Magnum London has been 10 months in the making. The plan was to design a global service concept supported by an operational blueprint, and then roll it out across the globe. It has been a privilege to lead this work and to witness the fourth opening in less than five weeks is hugely satisfying.”