September 10, 2026

DON’T BE DUMB: A$AP ROCKY x PUMA x MAN CITY

DON’T BE DUMB: A$AP ROCKY x PUMA x MAN CITY

DON’T BE DUMB: A$AP ROCKY x PUMA x MAN CITY

The club-first collaboration bridging global football heritage, street culture, and high fashion. This campaign united PUMA, Manchester City FC, and A$AP Rocky to launch a premium capsule celebrating the artist's Don’t Be Dumb album era. The rollout was anchored by a highly sought-after lifestyle jersey and an immersive, hyper-local experiential takeover.

The club-first collaboration bridging global football heritage, street culture, and high fashion. This campaign united PUMA, Manchester City FC, and A$AP Rocky to launch a premium capsule celebrating the artist's Don’t Be Dumb album era. The rollout was anchored by a highly sought-after lifestyle jersey and an immersive, hyper-local experiential takeover.

The club-first collaboration bridging global football heritage, street culture, and high fashion. This campaign united PUMA, Manchester City FC, and A$AP Rocky to launch a premium capsule celebrating the artist's Don’t Be Dumb album era. The rollout was anchored by a highly sought-after lifestyle jersey and an immersive, hyper-local experiential takeover.

Year

2026

Client

PUMA x MAN CITY x A$AP ROCKY

Category

CREATIVE DIRECTION
Creative Pillars & Execution
Creative Pillars & Execution

Experiential Marketing & Takeover: Conceptualized and executed a high-impact, 24-hour physical activation in the heart of Manchester’s Northern Quarter. Transformed a local staple into the immersive "DON'T BE DUMB CAFF" pop-up storefront. This tactical, short-window retail experience drove intense grassroots hype, resulting in an instant sell-out on a strict first-come, first-served basis.

  • Gamified Consumer Engagement: Developed a "Golden Ticket" mechanism hidden inside the product packaging to seamlessly bridge retail consumerism with live cultural events, offering lucky buyers surprise access to Manchester City matches and arena performances.

Teaser Film
Teaser Film



Teaser Film Credits


Creative agency
Ear to The Ground
Production

Offseason Creative
Talent
Faro
Directors
Ayman Chaudhry x Aaron Lewis Coastes
Senior Producer
Matt Bradley
DOP
Hubert @ Let Me Film This
1st AC & BTS
Connor Simpson
Creative Directors
Beni De Makoso x Karim Stoddart
Sound
boom audio x UK sound recordist
Stylist
Mia Reeves
Set props
Luke Coates
Locations
The Daylight space x Black Milk, NQ
Editor
Tiago The Editor

Press
Press

The Activation was picked up by a plethora of media across the weekend.

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Credits
Credits

Creative Direction Beni De Makoso, Karim Stoddart
Producer Tilly Evans, Matt Bradley
Junior Producer Shorayi Mauluka
Head of Production Emma Powis
Account Director Taylor Mitchell
Creative Agency Ear to The Ground

  • More Works More Works

Let'S WORK

TOGETHER

BASED IN MCR, United Kingdom

Creative DIRECTION

Let'S WORK

TOGETHER

BASED IN MCR, United Kingdom

Creative DIRECTION

Let'S WORK

TOGETHER

Let'S WORK

TOGETHER

BASED IN MCR, United Kingdom

Creative DIRECTION