Cortez Product Launch
Pastiche transformed a Corporate Product Launch into an extraordinary immersive experience at the historic Ashmolean Museum in Oxford. Combining bespoke Event Design, Themed Entertainment, Live Performers and an unexpected theatrical finale, we created an unforgettable evening that brought the Cortez brand to life.
The Brief: Creating Something Extraordinary
Our Client approached Pastiche with a challenge: to launch their new product, Cortez, to a select audience of Clients and potential Customers in a way that was completely different from traditional Corporate Events.
Rather than relying on familiar themes, they wanted an original experience that would surprise Guests, capture their imagination and create a lasting impression.
The challenge was to develop a bespoke Event concept that connected with the product name while delivering a sophisticated and memorable Corporate Product Launch.
The Creative Concept: The Legend of Cortez
Our creative research uncovered the story of Hernán Cortés, the Spanish explorer whose expeditions in Mexico during the 16th century became the inspiration for the Event.
Drawing on the history and legends surrounding the Aztec Empire and its treasures, Pastiche developed an immersive concept centred around a mysterious collection of Cortez Gold.
The idea was to blur the boundaries between reality and theatrical Entertainment, allowing Guests to experience a story that gradually unfolded throughout the evening.
Every element, from the Venue and Themed Performers to the carefully staged finale, would contribute to the overall experience.
The Venue: Ashmolean Museum, Oxford
Pastiche selected the prestigious Ashmolean Museum in Oxford as the setting for this distinctive Corporate Event.
With its extraordinary collections of art and archaeology, the Museum provided the perfect backdrop for an experience inspired by exploration, ancient treasures and historical intrigue.
Rather than simply using the Venue as a location for the Product Launch, we incorporated its galleries and exhibitions into the Event itself.
This approach created an authentic atmosphere in which the Cortez story could unfold naturally, encouraging Guests to question what was part of the Museum and what had been specially created for the evening.
Bespoke Event Production: The Cortez Gold
At the heart of the experience was a specially created treasure chest filled with gold chocolate coins, each individually branded with the Cortez name and logo.
Pastiche positioned the treasure amongst the Museum's existing exhibits, creating the illusion that the Cortez Gold was a genuine artefact on temporary display.
Specially produced notices and promotional posters reinforced the story, while two Armed Security Guard Characters stood watch over the treasure.
The attention to detail ensured that the installation blended seamlessly into its surroundings, establishing a sense of mystery that would become central to the evening's Entertainment.
Bringing the Story to Life
As Guests arrived at the Museum, they were welcomed into an atmospheric world of Themed Entertainment and spectacular Live Performances.
Pastiche provided Aztec-inspired Fire Performers, a Snake Act, a Sword Ladder Performer and a Bed of Nails Performer, creating an exciting introduction to the evening.
The Armed Security Guard Characters remained positioned around the Cortez Gold, adding another layer of intrigue and authenticity to the experience.
Together, these Acts transformed the arrival experience into an engaging introduction to the Event's unfolding storyline.
An Evening of Discovery
The official Product Launch Presentation introduced Cortez to the invited audience, providing the central Corporate focus of the evening.
Following the Presentation, Guests were invited to explore the Museum before making their way to Dinner.
Their route took them directly past the guarded Cortez Gold exhibit, reinforcing the mystery surrounding the treasure.
Many Guests were unaware that the installation had been created specifically for the Event, demonstrating how successfully the bespoke production had been integrated into the Museum environment.
What appeared to be an elegant Corporate Dinner was, however, about to take an unexpected turn.
The Grand Finale
As Dinner drew to a close, the atmosphere changed dramatically.
A sudden commotion erupted, followed by the sound of gunfire, as a group of staged intruders entered the dining area intent on stealing the Cortez Gold and other Museum treasures.
What followed was an explosive Live Action Stunt Performance featuring choreographed combat, simulated gunfire, breakaway bottles and the dramatic destruction of specially prepared exhibition pieces.
Guests found themselves immersed in the unfolding storyline, with the action taking place around them and selected audience participation adding to the excitement.
The carefully coordinated theatrical finale transformed the evening from a traditional Corporate Product Launch into a truly unforgettable Event Experience.
The Results: A Product Launch to Remember
The Cortez Product Launch demonstrated how imaginative Event Design, bespoke Entertainment and creative Event Management can transform a Corporate occasion into an extraordinary experience.
By combining an iconic Venue, carefully developed storytelling, Themed Performers and a spectacular theatrical finale, Pastiche delivered an Event that exceeded our Client's expectations.
The Client praised our professionalism, coordination, bespoke approach and commitment to making the evening a success, describing it as an occasion to remember that received many congratulatory comments from Guests.
The result was a distinctive Product Launch that successfully introduced the Cortez brand while showcasing Pastiche's ability to create immersive Corporate Events that leave a lasting impression.
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How did Pastiche create the Cortez Product Launch concept?
Pastiche developed a bespoke Event concept inspired by the history of Hernán Cortés and the legends surrounding Aztec treasures. The experience combined immersive storytelling, Themed Entertainment and Live Action Performances to create a distinctive Corporate Product Launch.
Where did the Cortez Product Launch take place?
The Event was held at the historic Ashmolean Museum in Oxford. Its extensive art and archaeological collections provided an atmospheric setting for the immersive experience and specially created Cortez Gold exhibit.
What Entertainment did Pastiche provide for the Event?
Pastiche supplied a range of Themed Entertainment, including Fire Performers, a Snake Act, a Sword Ladder Performer, a Bed of Nails Performer and Armed Security Guard Characters. The evening concluded with a dramatic Live Action Stunt Performance.
How was the Cortez brand incorporated into the Event?
The Cortez brand was integrated into the Event through a bespoke treasure chest containing branded gold chocolate coins, specially created exhibition notices and an immersive storyline that connected the Product Launch with the Entertainment.
Can Pastiche create similar immersive Corporate Events?
Yes. Pastiche specialises in bespoke Corporate Events, Product Launches, Themed Entertainment and creative Event Management. Our Team develops original concepts tailored to each Client's objectives, brand identity, Venue and Event requirements.
