The Crispin Collection

Miami agency’s staffers set up shop inside Ikea stores

In-store research or performance art? That’s the question now that Crispin Porter + Bogusky is arming staffers with laptops, digital cameras and camcorders, and sending them to work among the Kimstas, Grundtals and Stenskärs at Ikea stores in Toronto and Conshohocken, Pa.

A sign that reads, “Advertising under construction,” alerts Conshohocken shoppers to copywriter Evan Frye, art director John Bunning and account planner Melissa Cherin. The idea, which has been percolating for a year (and was part of the agency’s pitch), is simply to bond with the Swedish client and its customers, says associate creative director Paul Keister.